Osteochondrosis is the main cause of back pain. The thoracic spine is affected less frequently than other parts, it is initially less mobile. Due to the lack of characteristic symptoms, degenerative disease is more difficult to diagnose. Early treatment leads to serious consequences.
Degrees and Symptoms of Osteochondrosis
Dystrophic lesions of bone and cartilaginous tissue are the most common chronic human diseases. The pathological process starts with the intervertebral disc nucleus and spreads to the fibrous ring. Atrophied cartilage loses its cushioning properties and the load on the bone increases. The gap between the vertebrae is reduced, protrusions and hernias appear, the nerve endings are compressed.
Pathology symptoms:
- back pain (back pain), aggravated by body movements, palpation, deep sighing, and coughing;
- discomfort in the left breastbone, shortness of breath, feeling of a lump in the throat;
- excessive sweating;
- numbness sensation in part of the skin and limbs;
- painful sensations in the xiphoid appendix, extending to the shoulder blades and arms;
- back - sharp pain in the chest when in a position for a long time.
Irritation of spinal receptors in the chest area is manifested by impulses that mimic heart disease. This pseudocoronary pain is called anterior chest wall syndrome. Left-sided pain lasts for weeks and is not relieved by cardiac medications. At the same time, the ECG does not show violations of organ functioning.
Symptoms of the disease are often similar to other conditions. The patient's complaints may indicate heart failure or gastrointestinal problems. Only a comprehensive examination will help to establish the correct diagnosis.
The clinical picture of the disease varies according to the forms of compression or non-compression of osteochondrosis. When the nerve endings are compressed (compressed), pain, numbness, muscle weakness and difficulty in movement appear. The non-compressive form manifests as acute or chronic pain syndrome in the injured area of the spine, as well as reflex pain in the heart, stomach, liver region. The clinical signs of the condition vary depending on the stage of the disease and the person's age.
Unusual symptoms of breast osteochondrosis include sensations in women of pain in the mammary gland, brittle nails, and peeling skin. The disease is triggered by pregnancy. At this time, the female body experiences greater stress on the spine and lack of nutrients.
In men, compression of the nerve roots in the lower chest region leads to discomfort in the groin area and pain in the kidneys.
degrees of osteochondrosis
Depending on the condition of the cartilaginous tissue, there are 4 degrees of the disease:
- 1 degree - in the early stage of the disease, cracks appear in the fibrous ring. The nucleus pulposus projects through them. There are unpleasant sensations in the sternum, in the heart area. This phase is characterized by pulling muscle pains and spasms.
- 2 degrees - the situation is aggravated by the pathological mobility of the vertebrae. A sign of this stage is increased pain when moving and staying in one position for a long time. Subluxation of the vertebrae is possible.
- Grade 3 - the spinal structure is severely damaged, the fibrous ring is completely torn. Defeat of nerve endings leads to intercostal neuralgia. A person's mobility is limited, he assumes a forced posture. Pain radiates to internal organs, abdomen, limbs.
- 4 degrees - the structures around the spine are involved in the pathological process. Scar tissue overgrowth leads to ligament fibrosis. A severe neurological reaction requires regular use of supportive medications.
Early diagnosis of the disease can delay the destruction of the intervertebral discs. In the early stages, treatment is most effective. With prolonged back pain and the appearance of other symptoms of osteochondrosis, you should see a neurologist.
A late visit to the hospital leads to dangerous complications. This includes herniated disc, inflammation of nerve endings, osteophyte proliferation, paresis. With the growth of bone formations, there is a great danger of tissue damage in the spinal canal. The dystrophic processes initiated are the complete destruction of the vertebra. The patient can only be helped by surgery.
Causes and risk factors
Movable cervical and lumbar spines are the most affected by the disease. The thoracic region is reinforced with ribs, which reduces the risk of pathology, but does not exclude its appearance. The disease can occur at any age. Its ICD 10 code is M42. 14 - osteochondrosis of the spine in adults located in the thoracic region. For adolescent patients, there is a separate code - M42. 0. Bad posture, kyphosis or scoliosis are triggering factors for the onset of the disease in young people.
The main causes of the disease
Degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs occur with insufficient nutrition. The nucleus pulposus loses its ability to uniformly distribute the load and cracks appear in the annulus fibrosus. Doctors believe that a common cause of pathology is a genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis. Other factors include:
- sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work;
- spinal injury;
- infectious diseases;
- increased physical activity;
- hormonal disorders;
- weak muscle corset.
The exact cause of the onset of degenerative changes cannot be established. The disease can be recognized by objective signs and symptoms. People who spend a lot of time sitting, have posture problems and spinal injuries, should be especially attentive to their manifestations.
<2_img_rightxx>provocative factors
The natural tendency for cartilage dystrophy may not appear until middle age, when the body's natural aging process begins. But there are factors that can trigger accelerated degeneration. These include:
- chronic stress;
- hypothermia;
- unbalanced diet;
- difficult working conditions;
- overweight.
With prolonged compression and inflammation of the nerve roots, disturbances in the functioning of Organs internal organs occur. Osteochondrosis is characterized by an undulating course, periods of acute or dull pain are replaced by remission.
diagnostic methods
To establish a diagnosis, you will need to take a patient history and perform a physical examination. A preliminary conclusion is made during the initial examination. The patient's spine is examined from various positions. Confirmation of the pathology and information about the status of the spine is provided by instrumental diagnoses. Experts use:
If necessary, MRI is prescribed.
Treatment and Prevention
Getting rid of pain, inflammation and other problems is only possible with complex treatment. The choice of technique depends on the patient's condition. In the early stages, conservative therapy is practiced, in advanced cases, surgical intervention will be necessary.
Medicines
A course of medication is prescribed to eliminate pain and prevent the destruction of intervertebral disc structures. The mainstay of therapy is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are prescribed in the form of pills and ointments.
For the treatment of 3 degrees of osteochondrosis, hormonal drugs are used - corticosteroids. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. In acute pain syndrome, anesthetic injections are indicated. Muscle spasms and tension are relieved by muscle relaxants. To restore cartilage tissue, experts advise the use of chondroprotectors.
Healing of nerve root inflammation is facilitated by ingesting special vitamin complexes containing group B vitamins. Useful elements are well absorbed from food - eggs, herbs, beef and cheese. The patient is advised to rest and rest. He should observe bed rest for the first few days.
Physiotherapy
The impact of the device has a pronounced therapeutic effect. Patients with osteochondrosis are prescribed:
- shock wave therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- ultrasonic exposure;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy.
Physical therapy increases blood flow and relaxes muscles. During electrophoresis sessions, medications penetrate deeper into the body's tissues.
folk remedies
You can be treated not only with medication but also with the help of folk remedies. At home, various herbs and foods can be used as remedies. Decoctions, ointments and rubs are prepared from them. The means allow to alleviate inflammation, speed up regeneration processes. A warm bath with sea salt and chamomile helps relieve pain. Effective recipes:
- Juniper and butter ointment - beat the mashed juniper with butter until smooth. The composition is stored in the refrigerator.
- Pork Heat Ointment and Hop Cones - Dry cones are ground and ground into powder and mixed with fat. The ointment is applied 2-3 times a day.
- Honey compress - for the composition you need 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of vodka, 1 tablespoon of aloe vera juice. Products are mixed and applied to the affected area.
- Mustard compress - vodka, camphor alcohol and mustard powder are mixed in equal proportions. Add 3 proteins and incubate for 12 hours. The product has an irritating effect, so it is used with caution.
Before using the formulations, doctors advise examining them for an allergic reaction.
Massage
One of the parts of the complex treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is massage. The procedure reduces pain, increases blood circulation and stimulates muscles. Applicators can replace massage and acupuncture at home. These are special mats with plastic needles.
Physiotherapy
When the exacerbation period ends, it is recommended to switch to light physical activity. This includes walking, swimming, yoga and corrective gymnastics. Performing a special set of exercises is the easiest way to deal with an illness and forget about back problems forever. During exercise, the emphasis is on stretching and strengthening the chest muscles. There is a special technique that helps improve spinal health. Exercises are selected according to the patient's individual characteristics.
Preventive recommendations
Doctors advise, to prevent the disease, the regular performance of a set of exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the back and chest. In addition to gymnastics, you must follow the following rules:
- Take breaks during sedentary work. Change your posture frequently so that the load is distributed to different muscle groups.
- Choose a comfortable orthopedic mattress for good back rest.
- Use high-back chairs that support your spine.
- Balance your diet.
- Refuse to lift and carry weights.
A timely visit to the doctor allows you to determine osteochondrosis at an early stage. This gives a favorable prognosis for recovery.