Osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the spine. It usually appears in many people over the age of forty, but it often occurs in younger people. Osteochondrosis is included in ICD-10, its code is M42 (codes M40-M43 - deforming dorsopathy)
Osteochondrosis is the lamination of the intervertebral discs, due to which they flatten and reduce the overall height of the spine. Deformed intervertebral discs cause pinched nerves and pain. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is relatively rare, because this region, which consists of 12 vertebrae, is well fixed by the ribs and sternum. The disease usually affects the upper vertebrae of the department.
Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis
This disease is most often seen in people with a family history of osteochondrosis, but there are exceptions. The appearance of the disease can be caused by:
- congenital pathologies of the spine;
- trauma;
- constant vigorous physical activity;
- serious metabolic disorders;
- general muscle weakness;
- infections and frequent temperature changes;
- constant stress.
Osteochondrosis appears in many women during menopause.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The symptoms of this disease can be different, a lot depends on the age of the patient, the degree and stage of the disease. During remission, the disease is practically not noticeable, but during an exacerbation it is impossible not to notice it.
Pathological changes in the spine are manifested by the following symptoms:
- sharp or aching pain in the chest, spine (dorsago);
- when the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord (radiculopathy) are damaged, shooting pains, paresthesias and various sensory disturbances occur;
- there is a painful pain in the heart area that does not disappear after taking glycerol trinitrate;
- pulmonary syndrome, which can be determined by signs of oxygen starvation and poor ventilation;
- sharp pain in the abdomen;
- pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is not accompanied by fever, as is often the case with back pain;
- the pain syndrome increases with pressure on the vertebra;
- compressive myelopathy may develop. Myelopathy is characterized by changes in the sensitivity of the skin and muscles near the affected area of the spine.
It is important! Osteochondrosis of the thoracic and lumbar regions often simulates diseases of internal organs. Patients may feel pain in the stomach, liver, and heart due to nerve compression. Over time, diseases that are "perceived" due to persistent inflammation may actually appear.
If the patient feels pain in the internal organs, but pain is the only symptom, it is necessary to check the condition of the spine. So, for example, the tenth vertebra is responsible for the innervation of the kidneys and the general condition of the body. With his osteochondrosis, a person feels pain in the kidneys, gets tired quickly. Therefore, it is important not to self-medicate, as is often recommended on various forums, but to consult a specialist.
Stages of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
The international classification has identified 4 stages (degrees) of osteochondrosis of the breast, each of which has its own clinical picture:
1 degree.At this stage, the disease occurs only as a result of the loss of moisture of the intervertebral disc, its height decreases, the vertebrae come closer to each other and begin to compress the nerves. The patient may feel a local pain syndrome in the region of the patient's vertebrae, sometimes there are characteristic back pains. Painful sensations occur with active movement and physical exertion, but some exercises can relieve discomfort. Usually, the 1st degree of the disease is taken for ordinary fatigue, so people do not rush to the doctor.
2 degrees.The spine loses stability and cracks form in the annulus fibrosus. Due to increased instability, both overt and covert subluxations are possible, which can bring many problems in the future. The patient experiences pain not only during physical exertion, but sometimes in a stationary position (for example, lying on the side or on the back). Grade 2 osteochondrosis is also characterized by general weakness, increased fatigue, pain in the internal organs and limbs can be observed. Thoracalgia may occur.
3 degrees.The fibrous ring becomes thinner, tears, which causes a herniated disc. Such a disease causes a number of deviations in the work of internal organs, because the spine is in a crooked position and severely limits movement, forcing a person to take positions where pain is felt less. The pain syndrome is very strong, at this stage it is possible to form a spine with radicular syndrome.
4 degrees.The vertebrae begin to grow in width, their processes become ossified, and the remnants of the intervertebral discs also become ossified. Patients often note that pain is reduced, but the mobility of the spine is also noticeably reduced. Vertebrae move closer to each other, ossify and enlarge their roots, which reduces the cushioning ability of the spine. A person with advanced osteochondrosis significantly decreases in height, their movements are restricted, and spinal curvature (kyphosis or lordosis) is observed.
Against the background of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, various diseases of internal organs can occur, so it is dangerous to delay diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnostic methods
The main radiological signs of this disease:
- Irregular contour of the intervertebral disc;
- Wavy edge of integumentary plates;
- The hook-like processes are enlarged and pointed;
- A decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs;
- Changed the shape of the intervertebral discs;
- Intervertebral disc herniations (anterior herniations are easier to identify);
- Formation of osteophytes;
- The shape of the body of the spine changes.
In certain cases, an X-ray contrast study is performed - a discography showing the following features:
- Irregular outline of nucleus pulposus;
- In the severe stage of the disease, the intervertebral disc is completely filled with contrast;
- With a significant destruction of the disc, a contrast is observed that extends beyond its borders, sometimes falling into the spinal canal.
The consequences of osteochondrosis
If the disease is not treated, its development is very fast. However, with successful treatment, the number of possible complications is minimal. Osteochondrosis has several main complications:
- Sciatica
- Spondylosis of the thoracic spine (and other departments)
- VSD
- Hearing or vision loss
- Radiculitis
- Migraine
- Lumbago
- Intervertebral redness
- Spondylarosis
- Disability
- Thoracalgia
- Epicondylitis
The main methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Now the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest is carried out using the following methods:
- Conservative treatment
- Surgical treatment
- traction
Medical treatment is based on several principles. The main thing is to control the pain, as well as reduce the inflammation. So, doctors use anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain.
To improve the condition of the cartilage, doctors prescribe prescription chondroprotectors to patients.
Often, limitations in spinal movement are caused by overstretched muscles. To get rid of this disease, doctors prescribe muscle relaxants and antispasmodics.
To reduce pain, doctors advise patients to use various ointments for osteochondrosis that have a warming effect.
For the effective treatment of this disease, the dosage of the drug controlled by the doctor is important. The patient should remember that the medication should be taken strictly according to the doctor's instructions. Mixing drugs or replacing them with analogues should not happen without the consent of the attending physician.
In addition to medical treatment, doctors prescribe acupuncture, reflexology, physiotherapy, therapeutic massage. All these treatments should be discussed in detail with your doctor and should be carried out by a specialist.
In the early stages of the disease, the entire treatment process of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is limited to physiotherapy exercises for osteochondrosis and a few special exercises. Drug therapy consists of prescribing drugs that improve metabolism, as well as vitamin therapy.
Patients are advised not to do gymnastics without discussing it with their doctor. It should be noted that no gymnastics can be done in the acute stage of the disease. Any exercise therapy is selected depending on the location of the damaged area on the spine. Folk remedies can also be used.
What to do with the exacerbation of the disease?
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis is always accompanied by pain. Thus, the main treatment is aimed at reducing pain.
NSAIDs are prescribed for this. They reduce the production of prostaglandins, which irritate the nerve endings responsible for pain. In cases where these drugs are ineffective, blockade with local anesthetics can be used. Also, during exacerbation of the disease, heavy physical exertion should be avoided, rest is recommended. Therefore, in such situations, exercise with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is contraindicated until a further decision is made by the attending physician.
Preventive measures
To prevent the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, you should always take care of your health.
The first step is to eliminate all the factors that can cause osteochondrosis, forget about the danger of heavy physical exertion and maintain the correct posture.
Each person must undergo regular examinations at a specialized dispensary. If during the medical examination the doctor discovers the main pathologies of the spine, the patient should immediately contact an orthopedist.
In order to prevent disease, it is necessary to treat all diseases in time, and this is especially important in diseases of the musculoskeletal system. After injuries, it is necessary to undergo mandatory rehabilitation.
Pay attention to your body: to avoid hypothermia and hyperthermia, change the position of your body more often during work, do not forget about medical examinations.
At home, people can't always keep their body in the right tone as in the gym. But still, don't forget to strengthen your back muscles with various exercises. So, for example, physiotherapy exercises for osteochondrosis will help very well. The main thing is not to overdo it. Photos and videos of exercises are easy to find on the Internet.
The best prevention of any disease is a balanced diet. Your diet should include not only vegetables, but also a complex of vitamins, which are especially important in the spring-winter period. You can use massage, medicine, swimming to strengthen the back.