Osteochondrosis is the leading cause of back pain. The thoracic spine is less affected than other parts and is initially less mobile. Due to the lack of characteristic symptoms, degenerative disease is more difficult to diagnose. Premature treatment leads to serious consequences.
Degrees and symptoms of osteochondrosis
Dystrophic lesions of bone and cartilage tissue are the most common chronic diseases in humans. The pathological process begins with the nucleus of the intervertebral disc and then spreads to the annulus fibrosus. Stunted cartilage loses its cushioning properties and the stress on the bone increases. The gap between the vertebrae is reduced, protrusions and hernias appear, nerve endings are pinched.
Symptoms of the pathology:
- Dorsalgia (back pain) aggravated by body movements, palpation, deep sighs, and coughs;
- Discomfort in the sternum on the left side, shortness of breath, feeling of lump in the throat;
- heavy sweating;
- Numbness of part of the skin and limbs;
- painful sensations in the xiphoid process, extending to the shoulder blades and arms;
- dorsago - acute pain in the chest when in one position for a long time.
Irritation of the receptors in the spine in the chest area manifests itself in impulses that mimic heart disease. This pseudocoronary pain is known as anterior chest wall syndrome. The aching pain on the left side lasts for weeks and is not relieved by heart medication. At the same time, the EKG does not show any violations in the work of the organ.
The symptoms of the disease often resemble other pathologies. Patient complaints can indicate heart failure or gastrointestinal problems. Only a thorough examination will help make the correct diagnosis.
The clinical picture of the disease varies depending on the compression or non-compression form of osteochondrosis. When the nerve endings are squeezed (compressed), pain, numbness, muscle weakness, and difficulty moving occurs. The uncompressed form manifests itself in acute or chronic pain syndrome in the damaged area of the spine as well as reflex pain in the heart, stomach, liver. Clinical signs of pathology vary depending on the stage of the disease and the age of the person.
Uncharacteristic symptoms of breast osteochondrosis include a feeling of pain in the mammary gland, brittle nails, and peeling of the skin in women. The disease is triggered by pregnancy. At this time, the female body experiences increased stress on the spine and a lack of nutrients.
In men, the compression of the nerve roots in the lower part of the chest region leads to discomfort in the groin, pain in the kidneys.
Degree of osteochondrosis
Depending on the condition of the cartilage tissue, 4 degrees of disease are distinguished:
- 1 degree - at an early stage of the disease, cracks appear in the annulus fibrosus. The nucleus pulposus protrudes through it. There are unpleasant sensations in the sternum and heart area. This stage is characterized by pulling pains and muscle cramps.
- 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 structure of the spine is seriously damaged, the fibrous ring is completely torn. The defeat of the nerve endings leads to intercostal neuralgia. A person's mobility is restricted, he adopts a forced posture. The pain radiates to the internal organs, the abdomen, the limbs.
- 4 degrees - the structures surrounding the spine are involved in the pathological process. Overgrowth of scar tissue leads to fibrosis of the ligaments. A severe neurological reaction requires regular use of supportive medication.
Early diagnosis of the disease can slow down the destruction of the intervertebral discs. Treatment is more effective in the early stages. If your back pain persists and other symptoms of osteochondrosis appear, you should see a neurologist.
Delayed hospital visits lead to dangerous complications. These include herniated discs, inflammation of nerve endings, proliferation of osteophytes, paresis. With the growth of bone formations, there is a great risk of damage to the tissues of the spinal canal. Started dystrophic processes are the complete destruction of the vertebra. The only way to help the patient is through an operation.
Causes and Risk Factors
The movable cervical and lumbar spine are most commonly affected by the disease. The chest region is reinforced with ribs, which reduces the risk of pathology, but does not exclude its occurrence. The disease can appear at any age. His ICD-10 code is M42. 14 - Osteochondrosis of the spine in adults with localization in the chest area. There is a separate code for adolescent patients - M42. 0. Bad posture, kyphosis or scoliosis are provoking factors for the onset of the disease in young people.
The main causes of the disease
Degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs occur with inadequate nutrition. The nucleus pulposus loses its ability to evenly distribute the load, and cracks appear in the annulus fibrosus. Doctors believe that a common cause of the pathology is a genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis. Other factors are:
- sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work;
- Spinal injury;
- Infectious diseases;
- increased physical activity;
- hormonal disorders;
- weak muscle corset.
The exact cause of the occurrence of degenerative changes cannot be determined. 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 pay particular attention to their appearance.
Provoking factors
The natural tendency towards cartilage dystrophy cannot appear until middle age, when the body's natural aging process begins. However, there are factors that can cause accelerated degeneration. These include:
- chronic stress;
- Hypothermia;
- unbalanced diet;
- difficult working conditions;
- Obesity.
With prolonged pinching and inflammation of the nerve roots, disruptions in the work of internal organs appear. Osteochondrosis is characterized by an undulating course, acute or dull pain is replaced by remission.
Diagnostic methods
To make a diagnosis, you need to collect the patient's medical history and do a physical exam. A preliminary conclusion is drawn during the initial examination. The patient's spine is examined in different positions. Confirmation of the pathology and information about the state of the spine is carried out through instrumental diagnostics. Use experts:
- Radiography. Images of the chest region show the degree of pathology. Direct and lateral X-rays help determine a change in the height of the intervertebral discs, the appearance of osteophytes, a compression of the end plates of the vertebral body, a narrowing of the spinal canal and the formation of Schmorl nodes.
- Computed tomography is performed to identify and measure bone structures.
Magnetic resonance imaging is prescribed if necessary.
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 initial stage, conservative therapy is practiced; in advanced cases, surgical intervention is required.
Medication
Medication is prescribed to relieve pain and prevent further destruction of the structures of the intervertebral disc. Therapy is based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments.
To treat osteochondrosis 3 degrees, hormonal drugs are used - corticosteroids. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. In the case of acute pain syndrome, injections of anesthesia are indicated. Muscle cramps and tension are relieved by muscle relaxants. To restore the cartilage tissue, experts recommend the use of chondroprotectors.
The healing of inflammation of the nerve roots is facilitated by taking special vitamin complexes with vitamins of group B. Useful elements are well absorbed from food - eggs, herbs, beef and cheese. The patient is advised to rest and rest. For the first few days he has to keep bed rest.
physical therapy
The action of the device has a pronounced therapeutic effect. Patients with osteochondrosis are prescribed:
- Shock wave therapy;
- Electrophoresis;
- Ultrasonic exposure;
- Magnetic therapy;
- Laser therapy.
Physiotherapy promotes blood circulation and relaxes the muscles. During electrophoresis sessions, drugs penetrate deeper into the tissues of the body.
Home remedies
They can be treated not only with drugs, but also with the help of folk remedies. Various herbs and foods can be used as remedies at home. Decoctions, ointments, rubs are made from it. Means allow to relieve inflammation, accelerate regeneration processes. A warm bath with sea salt and chamomile will help relieve pain. Effective recipes:
- Juniper butter ointment - stir the crushed juniper with butter until smooth. The composition is stored in the refrigerator.
- Ointment from pork heat and hop cones - dry cones are ground into powder and mixed with fat. The ointment is applied 2-3 times a day.
- Honey compress - for the composition you will need 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of vodka, 1 tablespoon of aloe juice. The 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 should be consumed with caution.
Before using the formulations, doctors recommend checking them for an allergic reaction.
massage
One of the components of the complex treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is massage. The procedure relieves pain, increases blood flow and stimulates muscles. Applicators can replace massage and acupuncture at home. These are special carpets with plastic needles.
physical therapy
When the exacerbation phase ends, it is recommended that you switch to light physical activity. These include walking, swimming, yoga, and remedial gymnastics. Performing a special series of exercises is the easiest way to cope with an illness and forget about back problems forever. During training, the focus is on stretching and strengthening the chest muscles. There is a special technique that helps improve spine health. The exercises are selected according to the individual characteristics of the patient.
Preventive recommendations
Doctors recommend doing a series of exercises to strengthen your back and chest muscles on a regular basis to prevent the disease. In addition to gymnastics, you should adhere to the following rules:
- Take breaks from sedentary work. Change your posture frequently so that the load is distributed across different muscle groups.
- Choose a comfortable orthopedic mattress for good spinal rest.
- Use chairs with a high back that supports the spine.
- Balance your diet.
- Refuse to lift and carry weights.
By visiting a doctor in good time, you can diagnose osteochondrosis early on. This gives a favorable prognosis for recovery.