Osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the spine. It usually appears in many people over the age of forty, but often occurs in younger people. Osteochondrosis is included in the ICD-10, its code is M42 (codes M40-M43 - deforming dorsopathy)
Osteochondrosis is a layering of the intervertebral discs, as a result of which they become flatter and reduce the overall height of the spine. Deformed intervertebral discs lead to pinched nerves and pain. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is relatively rare, since it is this area, consisting of 12 vertebrae, which is well fixed by the ribs and breastbone. The disease usually affects the upper vertebrae of the department.
Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis
This disease appears more often in people in whose family members there are frequent cases of osteochondrosis, but there are exceptions. The appearance of the disease can lead to:
- congenital pathologies of the spine;
- trauma;
- strong and constant physical activity;
- severe metabolic disorders;
- general muscle weakness;
- infections and frequent temperature changes;
- constant stress.
Osteochondrosis occurs in many women during menopause.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Symptoms of this disease can be different, much depends on the age of the patient, the degree of the disease and the stage. During remission, the disease can be 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 aching pain in the chest, in the region of the spine (dorsago);
- if the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord (radiculopathy) are damaged, excruciating pains, paresthesia and various sensory disturbances appear;
- there is aching pain in the region of the heart, which does not go away after taking glycerol trinitrate;
- pulmonary syndrome, which can be identified by signs of oxygen deficiency and poor ventilation;
- sharp pain in the abdomen;
- pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is not accompanied by fever, as is often the case with back pain;
- 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 regions often mimics diseases of the internal organs. Patients may experience pain in the stomach, liver, heart due to pinched nerves. Over time, "perceived" diseases can actually appear due to persistent inflammation.
If the patient experiences pain in the internal organs, but pain is the only symptom, it is necessary to check the condition of the spine. So, for example, the tenth vertebra is responsible for the innervation of the kidneys and the general condition of the body. With his osteochondrosis, a person experiences pain in the kidneys, quickly gets tired. That is why it is important not to self-medicate, as is often advised in various forums, but to consult with a specialist.
Stages of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
The international classification has established 4 stages (degrees) of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, each of which has its own clinical picture:
1 degree.At this stage, the disease occurs only due to the fact that the intervertebral disc loses moisture, its height decreases, the vertebrae come closer and begin to compress the nerves. The patient may experience a local pain syndrome in the region of the diseased vertebra, occasionally there are characteristic back pain. Painful sensations occur with active movement and physical exertion, but some exercises can relieve discomfort. Usually, the 1st degree of the disease is taken for normal fatigue, so people do not rush to the doctor.
2 degrees.The vertebra loses stability and cracks form on the fibrous ring. Due to increased instability, both obvious and hidden subluxations are possible, which in the future can lead to a lot of problems. The patient feels pain not only during physical exertion, but sometimes in a steady state (for example, lying on his side or back). 2nd degree osteochondrosis 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 degrees.The fibrous ring becomes thinner, breaks, causing 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 severely restricts movements, forcing a person to take positions in which pain is felt less. The pain syndrome is very strong, at this stage the formation of the spine with radicular syndrome is possible.
4 degrees.The vertebrae begin to grow in width, their processes ossify, and the remains of the intervertebral discs also ossify. Patients often notice a decrease in pain, but the mobility of the spine also decreases markedly. The vertebrae approach, ossify and grow their roots, which reduces the spinal's ability to depreciate. A person with advanced osteochondrosis noticeably loses height, his movements become constrained, spinal curvature (kyphosis or lordosis) is observed.
Against the background of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, various diseases of the internal organs can form, so it is dangerous to delay diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnostic methods
The main radiological signs of this disease are:
- Irregular contour of the intervertebral disc;
- Wavy edge of the integumentary plates;
- The hook-shaped processes are enlarged and pointed;
- Reduced height of the intervertebral discs;
- Changed the shape of the intervertebral discs;
- Intervertebral disc herniation (it is easier to determine anterior hernias);
- Presence of osteophytes;
- The shape of the vertebral body has changed.
In some cases, an X-ray contrast study is performed - discography, which shows the following features:
- Irregular outline of the nucleus pulposus;
- In the severe stage of the disease, the intervertebral disc is completely filled with contrast;
- With significant destruction of the disc, a contrast is observed that goes beyond its limits, sometimes falling into the spinal canal.
Consequences of osteochondrosis
If the disease is not treated, its progress is very rapid. But with successful treatment, the number of possible complications is minimal. There are several main complications of osteochondrosis:
- Sciatica
- Spondylosis of the thoracic spine (and other departments)
- VSD
- Decreased hearing or vision
- Radiculitis
- Migraine
- Lumbago
- Intervertebral rufus
- Spondyloarthrosis
- Disability
- thoracalgia
- Epicondylitis
The main methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Now the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest is carried out using the following methods:
- Conservative treatment
- Surgical treatment
- traction
Medical treatment is based on several principles. The main one is the fight against pain and the reduction of inflammation. Therefore, doctors use anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate pain.
To improve the condition of the cartilage, doctors prescribe prescription chondroprotectors to patients.
Often, restrictions in the movement of the spine are caused by very 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 produce a warming effect.
To effectively treat this disease, a controlled dosage of the drug by a doctor is important. The patient must remember that it is necessary to take the drugs strictly in the order indicated by the doctor. Mixing drugs or replacing them with analogues should not take place without the consent of the attending physician.
In addition to medical treatment, doctors prescribe acupuncture, reflexology, physiotherapy, therapeutic massage. All these treatments must be discussed in detail with the doctor and must be performed by a professional.
In the early stages of the disease, the entire process of treating osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is limited to physiotherapy exercises for osteochondrosis and several special exercises. Drug therapy consists of prescribing drugs that improve metabolism and vitamin therapy.
Patients are advised not to exercise without discussing this with their doctor. It should be noted that in the acute stage of the disease it is not possible to do gymnastics. Any physical therapy is selected based on the location of the damaged area in the spine. Folk remedies can also be used.
What to do with an exacerbation of the disease?
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis is always accompanied by pain. Therefore, the main treatment is aimed at reducing pain.
For this, NSAIDs are prescribed. They reduce the production of prostaglandins, which 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, it is necessary to avoid intense physical exertion, rest is recommended. Therefore, in such situations, exercise with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is contraindicated until further decision of the attending physician.
Prevention measures
In order to prevent the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, you should always take care of your health.
The first step is to eliminate all the factors that can provoke the formation of osteochondrosis, do not forget about the danger of intense physical exertion and maintain correct posture.
Each person should undergo regular examinations in a specialized dispensary. If, during a medical examination, the doctor finds primary pathologies of the spine, the patient should immediately contact an orthopedist.
To prevent the disease, it is necessary to treat all diseases in a timely manner, 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: change the position of your body more often during work to avoid hypothermia and hyperthermia, do not forget about medical visits.
At home, people don't always manage to keep their body in the right tone, like you can in the gym. However, do not forget to strengthen the back muscles with various exercises. So, for example, physiotherapy exercises for osteochondrosis will help very well. The important thing is not to overdo it. And it's easy to find exercise photos and videos 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, medicine, swimming.