Osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the spine. It usually occurs in many people over the age of forty, but it often occurs in younger people as well. Osteochondrosis is included in ICD-10, its code is M42 (codes M40-M43 - deforming dorsopathy)
Osteochondrosis is a delamination of the intervertebral discs, due to which they become flatter and reduce the overall height of the spine. Deformed intervertebral discs lead to pinched nerves and pain. Osteochondrosis of the chest is relatively rare, since it is this area, consisting of 12 vertebrae, that is well fixed by the ribs and sternum. Usually the disease affects the upper vertebrae of the department.
Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis
Most often, this disease manifests itself in people in whose family there are often cases of osteochondrosis, but there are exceptions. The onset of the disease can lead to:
- congenital pathologies of the spine;
- trauma;
- constant vigorous physical activity;
- serious metabolic disorders;
- general muscle weakness;
- infections and frequent temperature changes;
- constant stress.
Osteochondrosis occurs in many women during menopause.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the chest
The symptoms of this disease can be different, a lot depends on the age of the patient, the degree of the disease and the stage. During remission, the disease is practically not felt, but during an exacerbation it is impossible not to notice it.
Pathological changes in the spine are manifested by the following symptoms:
- sharp or painful pain in the chest, in the region of the spine (dorsago);
- if the nerve roots that exit the spinal cord are damaged (radiculopathy), shooting pains, paresthesias and various sensory disturbances appear;
- there is pain in the heart area that does not go away after taking glycerol trinitrate;
- pulmonary syndrome, which can be identified by signs of oxygen starvation and poor ventilation;
- sharp pain in the abdomen;
- pain in osteochondrosis of the chest is not accompanied by fever, as is often the case with back pain;
- the pain syndrome increases with pressure on the vertebrae;
- compressive myelopathy may develop. Myelopathy is characterized by a change in the sensitivity of the skin and muscles near the affected area of the spine.
important! Osteochondrosis of the thoracic and lumbar region often simulates diseases of the internal organs. Patients may experience pain in the stomach, liver, heart due to pinched nerves. Over time, "perceived" diseases can actually occur due to persistent inflammation.
If the patient feels pain in the internal organs, but pain is the only symptom, it is necessary to check the condition of the spine. For example, the tenth vertebra is responsible for the innervation of the kidneys and the general condition of the body. With osteochondrosis, a person experiences pain in the kidneys, gets tired quickly. That is why it is important not to self-medicate, as is often advised in various forums, but to consult a specialist.
Stages of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
The international classification establishes 4 stages (degrees) of osteochondrosis of the chest, each of which has its own clinical picture:
1 degree.At this stage, the disease occurs only as a result of the fact that the intervertebral disc loses moisture, its height decreases, the vertebrae come closer to each other and begin to press on the nerves. The patient may feel local pain in the area of the affected vertebra, sometimes there are characteristic back pains. Painful sensations occur with active movement and physical exertion, but some exercises can relieve the discomfort. Usually, the 1st degree of the disease is taken for simple fatigue, so people do not rush to the doctor.
2 degree.The vertebra loses stability and cracks form on the annulus fibrosus. Due to the increase in instability, both obvious and hidden subluxations are possible, which in the future can bring many problems. The patient experiences pain not only during physical exertion, but sometimes also in a stationary state (for example, lying on his side or on his back). Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree is also characterized by general weakness, increased fatigue, pain can be observed in the area of internal organs, in the limbs. Thoracalgia may occur.
3 degree.The annulus fibrosus thins, tears, which causes a herniated disc. Such a disease causes a number of deviations in the work of internal organs, since the spine is in a curved state and greatly limits movement, forcing a person to take positions where pain is felt less. The pain syndrome is very strong, at this stage the formation of the spine with radicular syndrome is possible.
4 degree.The vertebrae begin to grow in width, their processes ossify, the remnants of the intervertebral discs also ossify. Patients often note a decrease in pain, but the mobility of the spine also decreases significantly. Vertebrae move closer to each other, ossify and grow their roots, which reduces the cushioning capacity of the spine. A person with advanced osteochondrosis significantly loses height, his movements become limited, there is a curvature of the spine (kyphosis or lordosis).
Against the background of osteochondrosis of the chest, various diseases of internal organs can develop, so it is dangerous to delay diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnostic methods
The main radiological signs of this disease are:
- Incorrect contour of the intervertebral disc;
- Wavy edge of roof plates;
- The hook-shaped processes are enlarged and pointed;
- Reduced height of the intervertebral discs;
- Changed shape of the intervertebral discs;
- Herniation of intervertebral discs (it is easier to determine anterior hernias);
- Appearance of osteophytes;
- The shape of the vertebral body changes.
In some cases, an X-ray contrast study is performed - discography, which shows the following characteristics:
- Irregular outline of the nucleus pulposus;
- In the severe phase of the disease, the intervertebral disc is completely filled with contrast;
- With a significant destruction of the disc, a contrast is observed that exceeds its borders, sometimes falling into the spinal canal.
Consequences of osteochondrosis
If the disease is not treated, its development is very fast. But with successful treatment, the number of possible complications is minimal. There are several main complications of osteochondrosis:
- sciatica
- Spondylosis of the chest (and other departments)
- VSD
- Decreased hearing or vision
- Radiculitis
- migraine
- Lumbago
- Intervertebral red
- Spondylarthrosis
- Disability
- thoracalgia
- Epicondylitis
The main methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest
Now the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest is carried out by the following methods:
- Conservative treatment
- Surgical treatment
- traction
Medical treatment is based on several principles. The main thing is the fight against pain, as well as the reduction of inflammation. Therefore, doctors use anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate pain.
To improve the condition of the cartilage, doctors prescribe chondroprotectors to patients.
Often, restrictions in the movement of the spine are caused by severely stretched muscles. To get rid of this disease, doctors prescribe muscle relaxants and antispasmodics.
To reduce pain, doctors recommend patients to use various ointments for osteochondrosis, which have a warming effect.
For the effective treatment of this disease, controlled dosage of the drug by a doctor is important. The patient must remember that it is necessary to take medicines strictly in the order indicated by the doctor. Mixing drugs or replacing them with analogues should not be done without the consent of the attending physician.
In addition to medical treatment, doctors prescribe acupuncture, reflexology, physiotherapy, therapeutic massage. All these treatments should be discussed in detail with your doctor and should be carried out by a professional.
In the early stages of the disease, the entire process of treating osteochondrosis in the chest is limited to physiotherapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis and a few special exercises. Drug therapy consists of prescribing drugs that improve metabolism, as well as vitamin therapy.
Patients are advised not to do gymnastics without discussing this with their doctor. It should be noted that gymnastics cannot be done in the acute phase of the disease. Each exercise therapy is selected depending on the location of the damaged area in the spine. Folk remedies can also be used.
What to do with exacerbation of the disease?
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis is always accompanied by pain. Thus, the main treatment is aimed at reducing pain.
NSAIDs are prescribed for this. They reduce the production of prostaglandins that irritate the nerve endings responsible for pain. In case of ineffectiveness of these drugs, blockade with local anesthetics can be used. Also, during an exacerbation of the disease, heavy physical exertion should be avoided, rest is recommended. Therefore, in such situations, exercises with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are contraindicated until further decision by the attending physician.
Prevention measures
To prevent the development of osteochondrosis of the chest, you should always take care of your health.
The first step is to eliminate all factors that can provoke the formation of osteochondrosis, not to forget about the danger of heavy physical exertion and to maintain a correct posture.
Each person must undergo regular examinations at a specialized dispensary. If during a medical examination the doctor finds primary pathologies of the spine, the patient should immediately contact an orthopedist.
In order to prevent the disease, it is necessary to treat all diseases in time, and this is especially important in diseases of the musculoskeletal system. After injuries, it is necessary to undergo mandatory rehabilitation.
Take care of your body: more often change the position of your body during work to avoid hypothermia and hyperthermia, do not forget about medical examinations.
At home, people cannot always keep their body in the right tone, as it can be done in the gym. But still, do not forget to strengthen the back muscles with various exercises. So, for example, physiotherapy exercises for osteochondrosis will help very well. The main thing is not to overdo it. And pictures and videos of exercises are easy to find on the Internet.
The best prevention of any disease is a balanced diet. Your diet should contain not only vegetables, but also a complex of vitamins, which is especially important in the spring-winter period. To strengthen the back, you can use massage, drugs, swimming.