Osteochondrosis is one of the most common pathologies of the spine. It is believed to develop primarily on the neck or lower back. After all, it is in these places that the spine is very mobile and under great stress. But the sedentary lifestyle of most people and prolonged stay at the table led to the fact that osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine began to occur more and more often. Although in many cases this pathology is not diagnosed immediately. After all, the peculiarity of thoracic osteochondrosis is that its symptoms are nonspecific and resemble many other pathologies.
general characteristics
This degenerative-dystrophic disease affects the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine. This is due to a violation of metabolic processes, which leads to thinning and drying of cartilage tissue. As a result, under the influence of physical stress, the discs begin to collapse and lose their depreciation functions. The vertebrae, ligaments, and joints of the spine are gradually affected. Nerve fibers and blood vessels can be affected.
This process develops slowly, so the pathology is difficult to diagnose. Also, not everyone immediately goes to the doctor, because they do not know what the danger of thoracic osteochondrosis is. But without treatment, the disease can lead to serious complications. Since this part of the spine is responsible for the blood supply and innervation of internal organs, with an advanced form of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, various pathologies can develop. Intestinal peristalsis, the work of the heart, liver and digestive tract are disturbed. Pancreatitis, cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia may appear. But most of the time complications appear in the spine. In addition to herniated intervertebral discs and intercostal neuralgia, spinal cord compression, spondylosis, sciatica, and postural disorders can develop.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is equally common in men and women. Their appearance does not even depend on age, although it was previously believed that degenerative-dystrophic diseases are characteristic only of the elderly. But modern youth increasingly suffer from osteochondrosis due to improper diet and sedentary lifestyle.
The most common osteochondrosis is believed to be cervical. Often the pathology also occurs in the lumbar region. This is due to the special structure of the skeleton. In the thoracic region, the spine is less mobile, as it is connected to the ribs and sternum.
The intervertebral discs are thinner here and the vertebrae are located closer to each other. But this section is less susceptible to injury and other external influences, since part of the load is taken by the ribs and chest.
Osteochondrosis usually appears at the level of 7-11 vertebrae. In this case, the intervertebral discs are mainly affected. Most of the time, 1-2 segments of the spine are affected. But sometimes polysegmental osteochondrosis develops, in which several discs are destroyed at the same time. Rarely, the pathology in this section occurs independently, usually combined with injury to the cervical or lumbar spine. In this case, the symptoms are more pronounced, making it easier to diagnose the disease.
The peculiarity of thoracic osteochondrosis is that it rarely manifests itself with back pain after exertion, as is the case when it is localized in the cervical or lumbar spine. Pathology in the initial stage is confused with heart or lung diseases. After all, the pains are often localized in the chest, shortness of breath, nausea and chills appear. But the manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis are not very bright, therefore, patients do not always go to the doctor at the initial stage. Due to this, the pathology progresses.
Disease development
The danger of thoracic osteochondrosis is that it "masquerades" as other diseases. Pathology develops slowly, rarely none of the patients see a doctor at the initial stage. Osteochondrosis begins with the thinning of the intervertebral disc. Its core flattens, the shell cracks and dries out, and the vertebrae move closer together. There is usually no major discomfort at this stage, just slight muscle tension. If the disease can be detected, then it can be completely cured by restoring the condition of the discs.
But generally the progression of osteochondrosis continues. In the surrounding soft tissues, an inflammatory process can begin, the joint capsules suffer. The mobility of the spine is reduced, the vertebrae can shift. If you continue to increase physical activity, due to the friction of the vertebrae with each other, microcracks appear in them. At this time, there is a feeling of tightness in the chest, pain with any movement in the upper body.
In the third stage of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs become very thin, bulges and hernias appear. The mobility of the spine is almost completely limited. Osteophytes begin to form in the vertebrae. This stage is characterized by a pronounced root syndrome, since the nerve fibers are damaged. In this case, the work of the internal organs is seriously disrupted. In most cases, this is when the patient goes to the doctor and begins treatment. If this is not done, complications can lead to disability and, when the spinal cord is compressed, total immobility.
The last stage of osteochondrosis is characterized by the complete destruction of the discs and the loss of their functions. The bone tissue of the vertebrae begins to collapse, so the mobility of the spine is completely affected. All vegetative and root symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are clearly pronounced.
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis is wavy. This is usually a chronic process that progresses slowly, with little discomfort. There may be increased fatigue, weakness. And when exposed to external factors, an exacerbation with sharp pains occurs. In this case, patients are usually hospitalized, as an attack may be accompanied by a sensation of shortness of breath, shortness of breath, chest or abdominal pain.
Causes
The main cause of thoracic osteochondrosis, as in its other forms, is a violation of mineral metabolism. As a result of degenerative-dystrophic processes, a disc protrusion or herniation appears, they become thin and stop performing their functions, the vertebrae gradually collapse, the osteophytes grow. This is most often due to an unbalanced diet, leading to a lack of essential nutrients or age-related changes in the composition of cartilage tissue. Disc degeneration can also lead to poor circulation in the spine, bad habits, or a hereditary predisposition.
But the lack of minerals does not always lead to osteochondrosis. This requires triggers that affect the spine itself.
Therefore, the following reasons for this pathology are also distinguished:
- frequent static loads on the spine;
- sitting for a long time in an uncomfortable position at the table;
- lifting weights;
- obesity;
- injury to the spine or surrounding tissue;
- participate in power sports;
- rachiocampsis;
- muscle corset weakness;
- congenital skeletal malformations;
- severe hypothermia;
- nervous overexertion.
It turns out that people who spend a lot of time in an awkward position at a table or driving a car, as well as those who do hard physical work, are the most susceptible to the development of pathology. In fact, both the increased loads and their total absence are equally damaging to the intervertebral discs.
Also, osteochondrosis often develops in young people who have osteochondropathy. This pathology generally develops in the lower thoracic region in adolescents. It is characterized by necrosis of the spongy tissue of the vertebrae, deformity of the spine, and the appearance of neurological symptoms. With the progression of pathology, it is complicated by osteochondrosis.
Manifestations of pathology.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are pain, radicular syndrome and dysfunction of internal organs. The pain in this pathology can be acute, paroxysmal or painful, constant, increasing with movement. Sometimes patients are admitted to the hospital with suspected acute pancreatitis, cholecystitis, or urolithiasis. After all, the pain is not always localized in the area of the affected vertebrae. Therefore, thoracic osteochondrosis is often confused with pathologies of other organs.
Furthermore, the degenerative processes in the spine in this disease are almost always accompanied by vascular disorders or intercostal neuralgia. This is due to the special structure of the spine in this section: a small distance between the vertebrae and a large number of nerves and blood vessels.
Thoracic osteochondrosis can be suspected by limiting the mobility of the upper body, increasing the stoop. Intercostal neuralgia is often present. Acute pain can last several hours or more. It can be triggered by lifting weights, maintaining a static posture for a long time, hypothermia.
If the vessels are affected, there is a violation of the blood supply and nutrition of the skin. Due to this, there is increased fragility of the nails, dryness and peeling of the skin. Coldness of the skin and coldness of the extremities are often observed.
Pain characteristics
Pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can be different in intensity and localization. The pain usually appears in the chest or between the shoulder blades. They are aggravated by raising an arm, turning or bending the body, coughing or sneezing. The pains can be sharp, pressing, painful.
Generally, such sensations are divided into two groups: dorsagus and back pain. Dorsago is an attack of sharp pain between the shoulder blades. It is also called "lumbago of the chest". The pain is so intense that it prevents the person from moving. A back attack usually occurs after a prolonged stay in a stationary position on the first movement. It is accompanied by muscle spasm, so respiratory function is affected. The sensation extends to the scapula, between the ribs to the chest. Chest pain with osteochondrosis resembles an attack of angina pectoris, but unlike it, it is not eliminated with nitroglycerin. Also, the pain increases when pressing on the vertebrae.
Back pain is a mild and chronic pain. It usually begins gradually, with mild discomfort in the thoracic spine. In this case, the pain can intensify when bending over, twisting, lifting an arm, and even when walking. This severely limits the mobility of the patient. Also, increased pain can be observed with deep breathing, after a long stay in a sitting position or at night. Back pain can last from 2 weeks to a month. The tightness in the chest and shortness of breath may resemble pneumonia, but the patient does not have a cough or fever.
Root syndrome
When the vertebrae or the spasmodic muscles of the nerve roots are compressed, the signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region become more pronounced. After all, the spinal nerves located in this place of the spine are responsible for the innervation of the skin, the motor functions of the extremities and the functioning of the internal organs.
In addition to stabbing pains in the back, chest, or abdomen, compression of the nerves is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- paresis or partial paralysis of the extremities;
- violation of skin sensitivity;
- numbness, burning, tingling, running sensation "goose bumps";
- violation of tendon reflexes;
- reflex muscle spasm;
- trophic changes in the skin: hair loss, discoloration, dryness and flaking.
The intensity of these symptoms increases with physical exertion, deep inhalation, prolonged sitting, after hypothermia or stress.
Vegetative disorders
In the thoracic spine, there are many nerves and blood vessels that ensure the normal functioning of the internal organs. Therefore, with osteochondrosis, various autonomic disorders are necessarily observed. They depend on the location of the affected vertebrae, as well as the stage of the pathology.
With injuries of the spine in the upper thoracic region, there is discomfort in the esophagus, a feeling of coma in the pharynx. Difficulty swallowing, changes in the voice may appear. The middle thoracic vertebrae are responsible for the liver, gallbladder, stomach, and pancreas. Therefore, when destroyed, the symptoms often appear similar to pancreatitis, cholecystitis, or gastritis. If degenerative changes have affected the lower thoracic vertebrae, there may be problems with the intestines and genitals.
Patients often see a doctor with abdominal pain. They are usually worse at night or after physical work. Furthermore, the pain is not associated with the characteristics of the patient's diet. This gastrological syndrome is characteristic of thoracic osteochondrosis. But despite abdominal pain, disruption of the intestines, nausea and flatulence, no problems are found with the work of the digestive tract. These sensations arise from damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the spine.
Diagnostics
Due to the fact that the signs of thoracic osteochondrosis are nonspecific, the pathology can only be detected with a full examination. At the same time, it is very important to differentiate it from other diseases. X-ray or tomography of the spine helps to exclude spondylopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
But other examination methods are also needed. It involves a urinalysis, general and biochemical blood test, fluorography, ECG, MRI or ultrasound of internal organs. Such an examination makes it possible to exclude pathologies such as pancreatitis, gastritis, stomach ulcers, heart attacks, pneumonia and urolithiasis.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be comprehensive. Since the cause of the pathology is degenerative processes, it is impossible to cure it completely. Only in the initial stage, while the structure of the vertebrae has not yet been altered and the discs have only slightly decreased in size, can this process be stopped and the functions of the spine restored.
But generally, thoracic osteochondrosis treatment aims to slow down the destruction of tissues, relieve pain and neurological symptoms, and restore mobility. The choice of therapeutic methods depends on the stage of the pathology, the location of the degenerative processes, the symptoms manifested. It is necessary to start treatment as soon as possible, then there are more opportunities to avoid complications.
It is especially important to see a doctor when the back hurts a lot and the stabbing pain radiates to the chest or shoulder blade. Such aggravation can be eliminated by special methods. Usually these are drugs that are used in the form of tablets or injections, various ointments or compresses, physiotherapy procedures. It is also necessary to immobilize the spine: the patient is shown bed rest and movement restriction for several days.
Once the seizure is gone, the treatment does not stop. But now its main objective is to stop degenerative processes and restore tissue trophism. Of the drugs for this, cordroprotectants, vitamins and means for improving metabolism are used. In addition, massage courses and physiotherapy procedures, as well as physiotherapy exercises, are necessarily prescribed. Also, the implementation of special exercises should be constant. To prevent complications, it is necessary to control the diet so that it provides the body with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Lifestyle is also very important: choosing the right mattress and pillow for sleeping, a chair for work, alternating rest and physical activity.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is quite a serious pathology, which, if left untreated, can lead to dangerous complications. But difficulties in diagnosis lead to the fact that the disease often progresses. For this reason, it is so important to lead a correct lifestyle and avoid factors that cause the destruction of discs. This will help prevent the development of osteochondrosis and keep the spine healthy.