Thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease of the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine. The disease is very rare. The symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are similar to those of other diseases and are difficult to diagnose. This is why it is called "chameleon disease".
How does osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occur?
Thoracic osteochondrosis occurs due to disruption of metabolic processes and increased load on the intervertebral discs. The intervertebral disc consists of annulus fibrosus, which serves as a hard shell for the semi-fluid pulposus nucleus.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine disrupts the normal structure of the intervertebral disc. During the disease, the core dries out and loses its shock-absorbing properties, the fibrous ring becomes thinner and cracks. As a result, the roots of the spinal nerves are damaged and inflamed, causing pain. The disease destroys the intervertebral discs, joints and ligaments of the spine.
The general principle is always the same, but the factors that cause increased stress on the intervertebral discs may be different. These include:
- long-term vibration effects on the spine (for example, in drivers who frequently drive a vehicle);
- physical stress;
- physical inactivity, also known as a sedentary lifestyle;
- to smoke;
- overweight, obesity;
- individual anomalies in the structure of the spine;
- congenital manifestations of spinal canal narrowing;
- somatic or spondylogenic muscle pain;
- asymmetry of joint spaces in intervertebral joints;
- psychosocial factors.
Classification of types of thoracic osteochondrosis
There are several types of osteochondrosisthoracic spine - symptoms and treatmentcan vary significantly.
The classification is based on which nerve endings are affected by the damaged structures of the spine. It is common to distinguish the following types of pathology:
- Reflex. It is based on reflex muscle tension, as well as vascular or dystrophic disorders.
- Miyoadaptiv. It is also known as "overload".
- Compression. The reason for its development is usually the deformation, tension or compression of a part of the spinal cord, nerve root or blood vessel, which leads to undesirable consequences.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
Thoracic osteochondrosis is less common than other types of osteochondrosis. There are the following symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- prolonged stay in one position, cooling, turning, bending to the side, chest pain that worsens at night with heavy physical force;
- pain between the shoulder blades, when lifting or bending the right or left arm;
- increased pain with deep inhalation and exhalation;
- pain between the ribs during walking;
- Feel like your chest and back are squeezed with a hoop.
During the exacerbation of the disease, the pain may last for several weeks.
There are additional symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- numbness of some areas of the skin, a feeling of "eyelid";
- itching, burning, feeling of coldness in the legs;
- peeling of the skin, brittle nails;
- pain in the pharynx and esophagus;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by two symptoms - dorsalgia and dorsalgia.
Dorsago and dorsalgia - manifestations of the disease
Dorsago - a sharp pain in the chest, "chest lumbago". It usually occurs after monotonous work in the same position. It is difficult to breathe during such a pain attack. The pain is exacerbated by the rotation of the upper body.
Dorsalgia - mild pain in the area of the affected intervertebral discs, begins gradually and lasts up to 2-3 weeks. The pain is exacerbated by deep breathing and bending. The patient may stop breathing. The pain intensifies at night and disappears after a short walk.
Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis
Thoracic osteochondrosis most often occurs in the following people:
- work on a computer;
- constantly driving;
- received spinal injuries;
- have weak back muscles;
- suffers from scoliosis and other postural disorders.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is less common than other types of disease - cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis. This is because this part of the spine is the least mobile and most protected part due to the ribs and muscular corset. The thoracic region has more discs than the cervical and lumbar regions.
What is the danger of osteochondrosis of the chest
If not treated in time, thoracic osteochondrosis can lead to the following diseases:
- protrusion and hernia of the thoracic spine;
- compression of the spinal cord;
- problems with the heart, intestines, liver, kidneys and pancreas;
- disorders of the duodenum, intestinal motility, gallbladder dyskinesia;
- intercostal neuralgia - compression or irritation of the intercostal nerves.
Also, the consequences of this pathology include diseases of the stomach, esophagus, gallbladder, lungs. However, the heart is still at the greatest risk for this disease, so if you have any problems with it, we recommend that you contact the clinic immediately and exercise as soon as possible. treatment of the thoracic spine.
What can be confused with osteochondrosis of the chest
The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are different, it is easy to confuse it with the following diseases:
- angina, heart attack. Difference: chest pain does not pass after taking heart medication, the patient's cardiogram is normal;
- appendicitis, cholecystitis, renal colic;
- gastritis, ulcers, colitis;
- other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (including diverticulitis, chronic pancreatitis or irritable bowel syndrome);
- neoplastic processes;
- inflammatory processes;
- diseases of the genitourinary system (pyelonephritis or urolithiasis);
- pathology of the mammary glands;
- pneumonia. Inflammation of the lungs differs from osteochondrosis in cough, shortness of breath and fever.
It is impossible to make a correct diagnosis on their own. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be diagnosed only by a specialist.
Methods of diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis
Specialists of a professional clinic will distinguish thoracic osteochondrosis from other diseases and make an accurate diagnosis using the following diagnostic methods:
- MRT. Magnetic resonance imaging
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Densitometry
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Daily ECG monitoring
- Comprehensive medical examination (check-up)
- Bioimpedance analysis of the body as part of the "Smart Weight Loss" program
- Laboratory research
Attreatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spinecan be added with foot or back massage. Also, conservative drug treatment with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics is prescribed periodically. In some cases, the patient may be prescribed novocaine for paravertebral block. Each case is individual, so the approach to each patient should be specific so that the therapy is effective and the problem is not felt in the future.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic has a multifaceted therapeutic effect:
- improves blood circulation and nutrition of intervertebral discs;
- stops the destruction of disks, restores their structure;
- eliminates inflammation of nerve roots;
- relaxes tense muscles of the back and chest;
- restores the biomechanics of the spine;
- prevents complications in the form of protrusions and hernias;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- strengthens the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle, respiratory muscles;
- corrects posture;
- stimulates the immune system.
After completing the course, your doctor will instruct you on the exercises you need to do with your own hands. Your doctor will advise you on how to adjust your lifestyle so that chest pain does not bother you.
Prevention
To prevent the disease, we recommend:
- lie down for 40-50 minutes a day - it will relieve the load on the spine;
- if you work a lot on the computer, change your position, get up from a chair every 2 hours, do a few bends in different directions, lie down, straighten your shoulders;
- to engage in water sports: swimming, diving, water aerobics;
- do not overcool, keep your back warm;
- Do the following exercises regularly: Lie on your stomach, put your hands on the floor and bend back. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds. Repeat the exercise 8-10 times.
It is highly recommended to maintain a proper body weight and to give up bad habits (including smoking).
Nutrition for thoracic osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, it is recommended to eat in small portions 5-6 times a day. Follow these nutrition principles:
- Use jelly, jelly, jellied fish, jelly more often. They contain chondroprotectors involved in cartilage synthesis;
- The diet should be 1/3 protein. They can be obtained from meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, soy, seeds, beans, nuts, eggplant;
- eat more fresh fruits and vegetables - cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, beets, parsley, cauliflower and white cabbage, peppers, broccoli, celery;
- boiled and steamed dishes, gray, rye bran bread are welcome;
- Osteochondrosis requires calcium. Contains dairy products, almonds, nettles, watercress, hips;
- Include sunflower seeds, nuts, avocados, raw spinach, bean peel in your diet - they are rich in magnesium;
- cook dishes from crustaceans, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, cereals - they contain vitamin B;
- season salads with olive oil;
- it is recommended to eat whole wheat, millet, corn, buckwheat, barley;
- limit the use of grapes and vegetables from the legume family, concentrated broths;
- Eat low-salt, smoked foods, flour products, sugar, hot spices.