Recently, doctors have been receiving complaints about back pain more often, and women of young age often suffer from them. If discomfort is localized in the thoracic spine, then it can be caused by such a disease as chest osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are described in detail later.
Thoracic osteochondrosis - causes
Osteochondrosis of the spine is a pathology in which negative modifications occur in the tissues of the intervertebral discs - the elements of the spinal column located between the two vertebral bodies. The intervertebral disc is a kind of flat circular cushion, consisting of a gel-like collagen core, connective fibrous and vitreous cartilaginous tissues. The main functions provided by these structures are:
- joining and holding adjacent vertebral bony bodies;
- amortization of the spinal column, protecting from traumatization due to gravity of the body, loads;
- providing mobility of adjacent vertebrae relative to each other.
If the intervertebral discs are in a satisfactory functional state, the spine is provided with elasticity, mobility, the ability to transfer various mechanical loads. When the cartilage structure changes shape, texture, loses strength and elasticity, these functions can not be fully realized. Basically, this occurs against the background of the disturbance of metabolic processes.
Partly pathological changes in intervertebral discs that cause chest osteochondrosis are explained by the fact that with age their nutrition through their own blood vessels ceases, and the supply of useful substances becomes possible only at the expense of neighboring structures (ligaments, vertebral bodies). The exact causes of poor nutrition of intervertebral structures and the mechanism of their destruction are unknown, but physicians identify a number of predisposing factors:
- systemic metabolic disorders in the body;
- excessive body weight;
- irrational nutrition, drinking regimen;
- lack of mobility;
- sedentary work;
- violation of posture;
- flat feet ;
- trauma to the back, spine;
- intensive physical work or sports training;
- pregnancy;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes, shoes with high heels.
Degrees of chest osteochondrosis
Such a disease, like chest osteochondrosis, does not give out symptoms right away. it develops gradually and for a long time. In addition, due to the small mobility of the spine in this area, the osteochondrosis of the thoracic region manifests itself in the late stages, in the presence of significant pathological changes. In total, four degrees of pathology are distinguished, depending on the deviations developed.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of 1 degree
The preclinical stage is osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine of the 1st degree. At this stage, partial dehydration and compaction of the central part of the intervertebral discs occurs, a decrease in their height, which leads to a decrease in their elasticity and elasticity. The ability of the spinal column to withstand the usual loads remains. Disk projections begin to form.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of 2nd degree
When the osteochondrosis of the thoracic 2 degree develops, the disease is characterized by the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring. The subsidence (thinning) of the discs continues, the amount of intervertebral fluid decreases, the vertebrae begin to rub against each other when the load on the back is increased. This stage is sometimes called discogenic radiculitis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of 3rd degree
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine of the third degree is accompanied by destruction and rupture of the fibrous tissues of the disc, the exit of the core part, i.e. there is a formation of hernial protrusion of the intervertebral disc. As a result of this, the nerve roots begin to be jammed, the nearby vesicles are squeezed, the veins, arteries are pinched.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of 4th degree
The last, most severe stage of the disease is characterized by displacement, twisting, deformation of the vertebral bodies, a further increase in their area, proliferation. The affected fibrous disc tissues begin to be replaced by bone tissue in the form of specific outgrowths-osteophytes, compressing the spinal cord. As a result, the mobility of the spine is significantly reduced.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - symptoms
Due to the peculiarities of the localization of pathological processes, the osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has symptoms both typical and atypical, repeating the manifestations of other diseases. This is due to the fact that due to the compression of blood vessels and nerve fibers, structural changes in the spinal column, the functions of nearby internal organs are disrupted.
We list the symptoms that are typical and most common in chest osteochondrosis:
- pain in the back and chest;
- feeling of squeezing in the chest;
- sensation of tingling in the limbs;
- numbness in the arms, legs, neck, shoulders;
- stiffness, aches in back, limbs;
- muscular spasms in the upper and middle parts of the back;
- restriction of mobility of the spine in this area (difficulty in slope of the body).
Pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
With the diagnosis of "chest osteochondrosis" the symptoms associated with painful sensations come to the fore among other complaints. The intensity and duration of them depends on the stage of the pathological process. Localization of soreness can periodically change rapidly, for example, moving from one area of the chest to the other, covering the entire breast. Often felt pain in the area between the scapula. The nature of pain in chest osteochondrosis is dull, squeezing, sharp. Increased morbidity is noted at night and when:
- raising hands up;
- turns of the neck;
- wearing heavy weights;
- sharp movements;
- increased physical activity;
- strong inspiration, coughing, sneezing;
- supercooling.
Can there be shortness of breath with chest osteochondrosis?
Due to displacement of the vertebral bodies, pathological changes in the structure of the thorax, pinching of nerve fibers and blood vessels associated with the lungs, dyspnoea sometimes occurs in chest osteochondrosis. In addition, since in the thoracic region there are structures responsible for the innervation of the heart, intestines, liver, kidneys, some other organs, the disease in many cases is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- headaches, dizziness ;
- pain in the heart ;
- tenderness of the mammary glands;
- pain in the hypochondrium (similar to the appearance of pancreatitis, cholecystitis);
- epigastric pain, not associated with eating;
- discomfort in the throat, esophagus, foreign body sensation;
- violations of sexual functions.
Pain in the heart with chest osteochondrosis, often pressing, compressing, can be misleading when diagnosed, because is similar to manifestations of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction. The peculiarity of these sensations is a long duration, the absence of effect when taking medications for the expansion of cardiac vessels. There are no changes on the cardiogram.
Syndromes in chest osteochondrosis
Symptoms of chest osteochondrosis in women, associated with a single mechanism of occurrence, are in many cases complex. There are two syndromes with a set of certain pathological conditions caused by chest osteochondrosis:
- dorsalgia;
- dorsago.
Dorsalgia of the thoracic spine
Prolonged, not too pronounced pain in chest osteochondrosis in women, often characterized as aching, pulling, inherent in dorsalgia. Complaints can be present for 2-3 weeks, with discomforting feelings then subside (especially when walking), then intensify (often at night, with inclines, deep breathing). In the presence of this syndrome, chest osteochondrosis can have symptoms associated with difficulty breathing, stiffness of the muscles.
Dorsago of the thoracic spine
Paroxysmal manifestations of the disease are called the term "dorsago" or "thoracic chamber". In this case, the pain appears suddenly, sharply, often reminding signs of a heart attack. An attack of chest osteochondrosis has the following symptoms:
- sharp, daggered character of pain;
- pain is felt in the area between the ribs, the interscapular zone;
- often the attack appears after a long stay in one pose;
- increased pain occurs when the torso rotates;
- there is difficulty in breathing, strong muscle tension.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - consequences
If the treatment of pathology is not started on time, the osteochondrosis of the thoracic department may have the following consequences:
- vegetovascular dystonia;
- migraine;
- violation of the internal organs (liver, kidneys, etc.);
- decreased hearing, vision;
- epicondylitis of the elbow joint ;
- paresis and paralysis of the hands;
- rachiocampsis;
- loss of sensitivity of skin tissues;
- disability, etc.
How to treat chest osteochondrosis?
When symptoms of chest osteochondrosis appear, it is recommended to consult a neurologist who, already with a back examination and examination of the spine in several positions of the patient, can make a primary diagnosis. To determine the degree of damage, x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography are prescribed. The tactics of treatment depend on the results obtained.
Often the painful symptoms of chest osteochondrosis are eliminated by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Nimesulid, Diclofenac, etc.). When exacerbated, accompanied by intense pain, paravertebral blockades with Novocaine solution can be performed. In addition, as part of conservative therapy, the following medicines can be prescribed:
- muscle relaxants (Midokalm, Liorasal);
- chondroprotectors (Alflutop, Glucosamine);
- corticosteroids (Metipred, Belosalik), etc.
To improve metabolic processes, eliminate muscle hypertonia, prevent various complications, such treatment methods are used:
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- Spinal column extension;
- Physiotherapeutic procedures (laser, ultrasound, etc.).
Surgical treatment is required if the spinal cord is squeezed by a fragment of the intervertebral disc. In this case, either a laminotomy can be performed - excision of the vertebral arches, or a discectomy - the removal of part of the intervertebral disc or its complete removal with the installation of the transplant. In clinics with modern equipment, surgical manipulations are performed in small traumatic ways through small incisions.