Osteochondrosis is the main cause of back pain. The thoracic spine is less affected than other parts, initially less mobile. Degenerative disease is more difficult to diagnose due to the lack of characteristic symptoms. Premature treatment leads to serious consequences.
Degrees and symptoms of osteochondrosis
Dystrophic lesions of bone and cartilage are the most common chronic human diseases. The pathological process begins in the nucleus of the intervertebral disc, then spreads to the ring fibrosis. Atrophic cartilage loses its cushioning properties and the load on the bone increases. The space between the vertebrae is reduced, protrusions and tears are formed, and the nerve endings are compressed.
Pathological symptoms:
- dorsalgia (pain in the back) aggravated by body movements, palpation, deep breathing and coughing;
- discomfort in the left sternum, shortness of breath, a feeling of a lump in the throat;
- excessive sweating;
- a feeling of numbness of the skin and part of the limbs;
- painful sensations in the hypoid process extending to the shoulder blades and arms;
- dorsago - a sharp pain in the chest when in a position for a long time.
Irritation of the receptors in the spinal cord in the thoracic region manifests itself in impulses that mimic heart disease. This pseudo-coronary pain is called 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 ECG does not show violations in the work of the body.
The symptoms of the disease are often similar to other pathologies. Patient complaints may indicate heart failure or gastrointestinal problems. Only a thorough examination will help to make a correct diagnosis.
The clinical picture of the disease varies according to the forms of osteochondrosis without compression or compression. When the nerve endings are compressed, there is pain, numbness, muscle weakness, and difficulty moving. The uncompressed form manifests itself with reflex pain in the heart, stomach and liver, along with acute or chronic pain syndrome in the damaged part of the spine. The clinical signs of pathology vary depending on the stage of the disease and the age of the person.
Non-characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis of the breast in women include pain in the mammary gland, broken nails and peeling of the skin. The disease is triggered by pregnancy. At this time, the female body experiences increased stress and malnutrition in the spine.
In men, compression of the nerve roots in the lower part of the chest causes discomfort in the groin and pain in the kidneys.
Osteochondrosis rates
Depending on the condition of the cartilage tissue, there are 4 degrees of the disease:
- Grade 1 - in the early stages of the disease, cracks appear in the ring fibrosis. The nuclear pulp comes out of them. There are unpleasant sensations in the sternum, in the heart area. This stage is characterized by pain and muscle spasms.
- Grade 2 - the condition is aggravated by pathological mobility of the vertebrae. The sign of this stage is increased pain when moving and being in one position for a long time. Vertebral subluxation is possible.
- Grade 3 - the structure of the spine is severely damaged, the fibrous ring is completely broken. Defeat of nerve endings causes intercostal neuralgia. A person's mobility is limited, he takes a forced posture. The pain spreads to the internal organs, abdomen and limbs.
- Grade 4 - the structures surrounding the spine are involved in the pathological process. Excessive growth of scar tissue causes fibrosis of the ligaments. A severe neurological reaction requires regular use of supportive medications.
Early diagnosis of the disease can delay the destruction of the intervertebral discs. Treatment is more effective in the early stages. You should consult a neurologist with long-term back pain and other symptoms of osteochondrosis.
A delayed visit to the hospital causes dangerous complications. These include herniated discs, inflammation of the nerve endings, proliferation of osteophytes, paresis. With the growth of bone formations can cause great damage to the tissue of the spinal canal. The onset of dystrophic processes is the complete destruction of the vertebrae. The patient can be helped only by surgery.
Causes and risk factors
It is most affected by cervical and lumbar spine disease. The thoracic region is strengthened by the ribs, which reduces the risk of pathology, but does not exclude the appearance. The disease can occur at any age. The ICD 10 code is M42. 14 - lumbar osteochondrosis in adults with localization in the thoracic region. There is a separate code for adolescent patients - M42. 0. Poor posture, kyphosis or scoliosis are the triggers for the onset of the disease in young people.
The main causes of the disease
Degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs occur with malnutrition. The pulposus nucleus loses its ability to distribute the load evenly and cracks form in the annular fibrosis. Doctors believe that a common cause of pathology is a genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis. Other factors include:
- sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work;
- spinal cord injury;
- infectious diseases;
- increased physical activity;
- hormonal diseases;
- weak muscle corset.
The exact cause of the onset of degenerative changes can not be determined. The disease can be recognized by objective signs and symptoms. People who spend a lot of time in a sitting position and have problems with posture and spinal injuries should pay special attention to their manifestations.
Provoking factors
The natural tendency to cartilage dystrophy cannot be seen 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;
- overweight.
Prolonged pinching and inflammation of the nerve roots cause disturbances in the functioning of internal organs. Osteochondrosis is characterized by a wavy course, periods of acute or dull pain are replaced by remission.
Diagnostic methods
To make a diagnosis, it is necessary to collect the patient's history and conduct a physical examination. Preliminary results are obtained during the initial examination. The patient's spine is examined in different places. Confirmation of pathology and information on the condition of the spine are provided by instrumental diagnostics. Experts use the following:
- Radiography. Images of the thoracic region show the degree of pathology. Direct and lateral radiography show a change in disc height, the appearance of osteophytes, compression of the plates of the vertebral body, narrowing of the diameter of the spinal canal, and the formation of Schmorl's nodules.
- Computed tomography is performed to detect and measure bone structures.
If necessary, magnetic resonance imaging is assigned.
Treatment and prevention
Getting rid of pain, inflammation and other problems is possible only with complex treatment. The choice of technique depends on the patient's condition. In the early stages, conservative therapy is applied; in advanced cases, surgical intervention is required.
Medications
A course of medication is prescribed to relieve pain and prevent further destruction of intervertebral disc structures. Therapy is based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments.
Hormonal drugs are used to treat grade 3 osteochondrosis - corticosteroids. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Anesthetic injections are indicated in acute pain syndrome. Muscle spasms and tension are relieved by muscle relaxants. Experts recommend the use of chondroprotectors to restore cartilage tissue.
Treatment of inflammation of the nerve roots is facilitated by the intake of special vitamin complexes containing B vitamins. Nutrients are well absorbed from food - eggs, greens, beef and cheese. The patient is advised to rest and relax. In the first days should observe bed rest.
Physiotherapy
The effect of the device has a clear therapeutic effect. Patients with osteochondrosis are prescribed the following:
- shock wave therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- ultrasound exposure;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy.
Physiotherapy increases blood flow and relaxes muscles. During electrophoresis sessions, the drug penetrates deeper into the tissues of the body.
Folk remedies
It can be treated not only with drugs, but also with the help of folk remedies. Various herbs and foods can be used as a treatment at home. From them are prepared springs, ointments, rubs. The tool allows you to eliminate inflammation and accelerate the renewal process. A warm bath with sea salt and chamomile helps relieve pain. Effective recipes:
- Juniper and Butter Ointment - Whisk with the crushed juniper butter until smooth. The composition is stored in the refrigerator.
- Ointment from pork heat and hop cones - dry cones are powdered and mixed with oil. The ointment is applied 2-3 times a day.
- Honey compressor - for the composition you 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 egg whites and incubate for 12 hours. The product has an irritating effect, so use with caution.
Before using the formulas, doctors recommend checking for allergic reactions.
Massage
Massage is also part of the complex treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest. The procedure reduces pain, increases blood circulation and stimulates muscles. Applicators can replace massage and acupuncture at home. These are special carpets with plastic needles.
Physiotherapy
At the end of the aggravation period, it is recommended to switch to light physical activity. These include walking, swimming, yoga and therapeutic gymnastics. Doing a special set of exercises is the easiest way to fight a disease and forget about back problems forever. During exercise, emphasis is placed on stretching and strengthening the chest muscles. There is a special technique that helps to improve the health of the spine. Exercises are selected according to the individual characteristics of the patient.
Preventive recommendations
Doctors recommend a series of exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the back and chest on a regular basis to prevent the disease. In addition to gymnastics, you must follow the following rules:
- Take breaks when doing idle work. Change your position often so that the load is distributed to different muscle groups.
- Choose a comfortable orthopedic mattress for a good spine rest.
- Use high back chairs that support the spine.
- Balance your diet.
- Avoid lifting and carrying weights.
Timely consultation with a doctor allows you to diagnose osteochondrosis at an early stage. This gives a favorable prognosis for recovery.