Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is less common than that of the lumbar and cervical regions.Degenerative processes, accompanied by certain symptoms and difficulties in treatment, cause a lot of trouble.In addition to severe chest pain, the abdominal organs can also suffer and the lower extremities can be affected.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
The cause of damage to the spine lies in the deformation of the ligaments connecting the vertebrae.The development of the disease can also begin with pathological processes of the articular surfaces, changes in the intervertebral discs (bulging, hernia) or their growth (so-called “spikes” or osteophytes).During development, one or all of the signs that lead to the development of the underlying disease can be observed at the same time.
In total, the thoracic region includes 12 vertebrae in which degenerative processes occur.There are also intermediate variants of osteochondrosis – thoracolumbar and cervical-thoracic.A distinctive feature is the inclusion of neighboring sections in the pathological processes of the vertebrae and the addition of the symptoms characteristic of these sections.
Interesting fact: Due to its anatomical peculiarity, the connection of the spine with the ribs, the chest area is fairly motionless.This is necessary to protect against injuries.This natural protection significantly reduces the occurrence of pain in osteochondrosis, which significantly reduces early detection.
Symptoms of damage include:
- Pain – despite its delayed onset (even with significant degenerative processes), this symptom plays a leading role in identifying the pathology.It usually occurs in the heart area or between the shoulder blades, hurts and stretches, and worsens when lifting weights.
- Paresthesia – Patients experience numbness and loss of sensitivity in the skin on the back and abdomen.
- Difficulty breathing – simple movements such as inhaling, raising arms, bending cause discomfort and pain.This leads to breathing difficulties, which are initially noticeable with a shortening of inhalation and exhalation.
When the nerve roots are compressed, compression phenomena occur that affect the internal organs.There may be a feeling of coldness, weakness of the legs and even periodic failure of the legs.Injury to the vegetative-vascular system leads to increased dry skin, brittle nails in the affected area and on the extremities, and impaired thermoregulation (sweating).
Features of pain in thoracic osteochondrosis
Because there are a number of organs in the chest, spinal pain can often be confused with heart and stomach pain.Sometimes they are so obvious that they can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack, angina, gastritis, ulcer and cholecystitis.
All this significantly complicates the diagnosis, since patients seek help for another disease, not feeling any discomfort in the back.
There are two types of pain that occur in the form of reflex syndromes (which are directly related to tissue degeneration and receptor irritation):
- Dorsago – acute, stabbing pain.Patients often describe it as the feeling of being stabbed with a knife.It can radiate to the arm or shoulder, the patient seems to be “tied up” with pain (usually about such sensations they say “a shot through the back”).Dorsago occurs against the background of sudden movements or heavy lifting.When palpated, a tense muscle strand is detected.
- Dorsalgia – characterizes a gradual increase in pain symptoms with dull and pressing pain.Usually accompanied by stretching and flexion.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region: symptoms and treatment
It is important to differentiate the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine from concomitant diseases.Diagnosis should include the full range of studies, including not only the examination of the spine, but also the exclusion of other pathologies.
As a rule, an MRI, an X-ray of the spine, an examination by a vertebrologist, neurologist, general blood tests and urine tests (helps to exclude inflammation and infections) are prescribed.
Ultrasound of the heart, kidneys, fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS) is optionally (optionally) used to detect complaints of pain in the projection areas of organs.
Treatment includes 3 types.
- Medication.
- Physiotherapeutic.
- Surgical.
Therapy is carried out in a complex that helps to eliminate the signs of the disease and exacerbation of symptoms as much as possible.
Important: Osteochondrosis cannot be completely cured, since degenerative processes are irreversible.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to provide medical support.In addition, they use both tablet form and gels and ointments.
- The pain syndrome is relieved by anesthetic injections, local irritant ointments and the use of an applicator.
- As maintenance therapy, injections of B vitamins (especially B12), muscle relaxants to relieve tension and diuretics to swelling the nerve roots are used.
- For the recovery period, chondroprotective drugs and physiotherapy are prescribed.
The treatment package also includes:
- Massage and special techniques to relieve muscle tension.
- Reflexology, acupuncture.
- Use of currents and ultrasound.
If there is no pain, swimming is recommended as an excellent way to strengthen the tone of the spine and back.Special exercises from the exercise therapy complex strengthen the muscles and also relax a tense back.
At home, you can do healing baths with herbal decoctions and warming compresses.
Surgical intervention
In case of serious complications due to compression of nerve endings, blood vessels or the spinal cord, surgery is resorted to.Such consequences can lead to disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, limbs and persistent pain.
The procedure is carried out by removing the “interfering” part that has a compressive effect - spinal growths, parts of the intervertebral disc, joint and, in rare complex cases, the entire vertebral body.Such manipulations require rigid fixation with an orthosis or the installation of a prosthesis.
Prevention
- Increasing physical activity, swimming and walking are particularly good.
- Correct posture when sitting.
- Be sure to use a special mattress for sleeping.
- Avoid sudden heavy lifting and awkward movements.
- Maintaining joint health with folk remedies (drinking strengthening decoctions, tinctures).
- Proper nutrition.
- Elimination of bad habits.
We briefly examined the main symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.Timely treatment will help avoid serious complications.But the best thing is prevention.