Symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine

It is rarely possible to diagnose thoracic spine osteochondrosis (GO), unlike cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis, which occurs every 2-3 patients aged 18 and over. This phenomenon is explained by the special structure of the thoracic part - the presence of a larger number of discs, which, in turn, have a finer structure. This part of the spine has low mobility and, as a result, the load on it is not high, since the main "blow" is taken from the sternum together with the ribs.

The main reason why the development of chest pathology begins is an increase in the load on the intervertebral discs and, as a result, a violation of metabolic processes, as well as their structure. . . In the presence of such ailment, the cushioning properties of the disc are lost, the fibrous ring thins, dries up, after this process, the nerve endings become inflamed, the person experiences constant pain, discomfort, and motor activity decreases. With the rapid course of the disease, it affects the ligaments of the spine and joint joints.

Now, many experts have taken it as a rule to classify osteochondrosis not by stages of the course, but by degrees, which are further distinguished by the peculiarities of the symptoms.

If we take into account the general symptomatology, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is not so pronounced, unlike its other types, however, there is a characteristic clinical picture. So, the patient may complain about the presence of the following signs:

• pain in the chest region, often aggravated by prolonged exposure to one position or at night;
• painful sensation between the shoulder blades, as it increases with lifting the arm or after physical exertion;
• discomfort, pain when trying to breathe deeply, this symptom is also noticeable when exhaling;
• while walking, there is pain in the ribs and a squeezing sensation in the chest area.

Such manifestations can accompany a person for several weeks, which should be considered an exacerbation of the disease.

What other symptoms can be observed with HO? In addition to the main clinical picture, the following manifestations are possible in some cases:

• numbness in the upper limbs, feeling of "goosebumps" running through the skin;
• disruption of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
• feeling of cold in the legs, inability to warm them.

In addition, the characteristic signs of such ailment are the dorsago - the occurrence of a sharp pain between the shoulder blades and back pain - a slow pain syndrome that does not have a pronounced image.

It should be noted that, like any other type of osteochondrosis, chest disease often affects people who lead an inactive lifestyle. Constantly sitting at the computer, bending over, making heavy physical exertion, also become a provoking factor in the development of the disease.

How does the disease manifest itself in women and men?

The development of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the thoracic region in patients is considered as a diagnosis - thoracic osteochondrosis. With this disease there is the destruction of the intervertebral discs and malnutrition in the structures of the connective tissue. In addition, the blood circulation process is disrupted, as the chest area is inactive. And the pain syndrome itself occurs due to pinching of the nerve endings during the progression of the pathology.

As the statistics indicate, HO is diagnosed in women sometimes more often than in men and at the same time at a young age. The main reason for this phenomenon is the change in hormone levels when entering the menopausal stage. The impetus for the development of the disease is also osteoporosis, which is often detected in women during the onset of menopause.

Therapeutic measures are developed taking into account the clinical picture of the pathology. Severe symptoms do not appear immediately, it often takes a long time to suspect the presence of the disease. Specifically, it is possible to establish a diagnosis already in the course of a pronounced picture, when the symptoms have become noticeable. When it comes to a pronounced period, two types of symptoms should be distinguished here:

1. Development of painful sensations. . . Here we are talking about the occurrence of pain in the thoracic region, between the shoulder blades, radiating to the solar plexus area. Pain syndrome can migrate to the neck area, mimicking osteochondrosis in the cervical and upper arm. Often, women observe pain in the mammary glands, confusing them with breast pathologies. As a rule, pain sensations are not permanent, they hurt, but at the same time they have no intensity.
2. Blood pressure disorder. . . With breast osteochondrosis in women, there is a hypertensive syndrome, which is characterized by increased pressure and can provoke a hypertensive crisis. A distinctive feature of normal hypertension may be the presence of a minimal effect from the use of drugs that lower blood pressure. In case you have had similar situations, you should also consult a vertebrologist.

In addition to the above, other signs of degenerative-dystrophic disorders in the thoracic spine should be distinguished:

• Pain on the left side of the thoracic region,not associated with heart damage. . . In medical terminology, this phenomenon is called cardialgia. It is not difficult to diagnose it, since with the development of such a symptom, it cannot be stopped by the use of cardiac drugs.
• Disruption of the digestive system. . . Often, with the onset of the progression of osteochondrosis, problems begin with the internal organs, more often with the gastrointestinal tract. The most striking example is the formation of heartburn, an increase in acidity and a feeling of constant bloating (flatulence). Among other things, there may be problems with digestion of food: nausea after eating, heaviness, bloating. Against the background of all of the above, the work of the chair is also stopped - frequent constipation or diarrhea.
• Respiratory disturbances. . . Since the dystrophic process occurs in the chest area, cases of violation of the respiratory system are not uncommon. All of this is accompanied by unreasonable dizziness, general weakness, shortness of breath and other signs that may indirectly resemble heart disease or pressure (arterial / intracranial) problems.

As for therapy, it largely depends on the signs of the pathological process. To relieve pain, painkillers are prescribed, including NSAIDs in the form of ointments or gels. During the period of exacerbation, muscle relaxants are more effective, they reduce the spasm of smooth muscles, relax the muscles, relieve pain syndrome, reviews about their use are positive. When the pain becomes completely unbearable, blockade with painkillers is used.

Chest treatment

How exactly GO will manifest itself depends on the pathological changes that occur in the intervertebral discs. It is customary to distinguish four stages in the course of degenerative-dystrophic disorders in the chest:

• The first. . . Symptoms are not particularly pronounced, however the dehydration process of the thoracic spine discs has already begun. As a result, they lose their elasticity, begin to acquire a more flattened appearance, but, at the same time, they can still withstand certain loads. Occasionally, aching-type aching sensations are disturbed, but not mild and often do not require painkillers.
• The second one. . . At this stage, negative changes affected the fibrous ring, various types of damage are observed - cracks, loss of stability. There are changes in the pain syndrome, it becomes more intrusive, palpable, intensifies with an increase in motor activity - bends, turns.
• The third. . . On X-rays, the rupture of the fibrous ring is clearly visible and a hernia begins to form. Pain sensations become clearer, from a whining character they can flow into a more acute one, intensify with movements and even at rest.
• Fourth. . . Spondyloarthrosis is actively developing, against the background of the convergence of the vertebrae and the erasure of the discs. As a result, the connective tissue of the fibrous ring is replaced by bone tissue, which significantly limits motor capacity.

The clinical picture of thoracic osteochondrosis is such that this disease is more likely to be diagnosed:

• Ache. . . Almost always, its location is in a specific place, often to the left. After some time, it spreads throughout the chest area, breathing becomes difficult, climbing stairs or exercising becomes difficult.
• Increased pain. . . Strengthening occurs when turning or tilting, in general, with any physical activity, the same is observed when trying to take a deep breath.
• Muscle spasm. . . Muscle spasm adds to the above symptoms, the contraction falls mainly on the upper back. In rarer cases, this symptom is present in the lumbar region.

Separately, it is worth noting intercostal neuralgia, which tends to last for several weeks and then disappear on its own. During this period, a person is accompanied by chest discomfort, aggravated by movements, discomfort when trying to inhale / exhale deeply. Women may feel like they have problems with the mammary glands, which will make them think they are treating them, and in men, the sensation of a foreign object behind the breastbone.

It should also be noted that the entire clinical picture described above intensifies at night or after hypothermia. The next morning, as a rule, it becomes easier, but in the evening everything repeats itself.

How to treat, what methods are there, what to take? As for therapeutic measures, they should be started as soon as possible. Often, in the very early stages, it is possible to do without even the use of drugs, but only with regular gymnastics - physical therapy.

The later stages of the development of pathology, at 2 degrees, involve the use of drugs. This includes various groups of drugs, the most popular of which are presented in the table below.

Group of drugs	The main action of the drug
Pain relievers, analgesics	They relieve the pain syndrome, reduce its manifestation.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)	Eliminates inflammation, relieves pain, swelling.
Chondroprotector	They increase the production of intra-articular secretions, slow down the process of destruction of cartilage and reduce the manifestation of the inflammatory process.
Muscle relaxants	They reduce the tone of skeletal muscles, have a relaxing effect and help to effectively cope with back pain.
Sedatives, sedatives	For more effective therapy, as severe pain can cause stress, which worsens the effect of the treatment.

In addition to essential medicines, a course of medicines-vitamins is recommended.

In the event that the entire clinical picture is aggravated, the main goal of therapy will be to alleviate the symptoms. For more pronounced and rapid action, analgesic drugs are prescribed in the form of injections, as well as of the steroid type.

After eliminating the exacerbation and achieving stability in the state, it is necessary to begin basic therapy. It is possible to prescribe a fairly wide range of drugs, since only a complex effect on the disease can give positive results.

The main drugs are described in the table above, then in more detail about them. So, the basic treatment will include the appointment of such drugs:

• Chondroprotector.They are used in tablets and for local therapy, in the form of ointments or gels. It is impossible to exclude the use of such drugs, they are the basis for comprehensive therapy. Their action is aimed at inhibiting the process of destruction of cartilage tissue and the further progression of dystrophic changes. In addition, they increase the regenerative capacity of the cartilage. However, it is impossible to completely get rid of the pathology with the help of such a medicine, it should not be considered a panacea.
• Vasodilator. . . They are necessary to improve blood circulation and, consequently, nutrition in the affected area. Most often, a fairly effective drug is prescribed that improves blood microcirculation, helps to cope with pain that occurs at rest.
• Local therapy. . . For the best effect, ointments or gels are prescribed. Thus, it is possible to achieve good results only with the help of a complex effect, therefore, when prescribing NSAIDs and chondroprotectors, it is customary to additionally recommend ointments of the same pharmacological groups. Creams based on bee or snake venom are also popular, they have a pronounced analgesic effect and are a good addition to the main therapy.
• Vitamins. . . In particular, vitamins of group B are prescribed. They have analgesic properties, help to cope with inflammatory processes and violation of nerve endings.
• Without a doubt, along with the effect of the drug, a course of physiotherapy, therapeutic massage, physical therapy is prescribed.

What other methods of therapy should be included in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis? An experienced practitioner will highly recommend the following techniques:

• magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, therapeutic muds;
• physiotherapy exercise complex;
• acupuncture, acupressure.

It is also recommended to adhere to a certain diet, the use of alcohol, spicy foods should be excluded, reduce the use of salt.

Particular attention should be paid to therapeutic exercises, it should be performed daily and preferably several times a day. Please note that the set of exercises is developed individually by the attending physician - an orthopedist or traumatologist. Physical education is carried out in the absence of exacerbation, when there are no pronounced pains, in case of acute pain syndrome, maximum rest must be observed.

Sports with osteochondrosis is not the last thing. With this pathology, it is important to regularly perform all the prescribed exercises that will strengthen the muscles and positively affect the outcome of the treatment.

We should also mention traditional medicine. On the Internet you can find many recipes based on natural raw materials. It is not recommended to get carried away with folk remedies as an independent method, as the effectiveness of them will be minimal and in many cases zero. However, in addition to traditional therapy, folk remedies can be recommended. The following homemade recipes are known:

• Ingredients for the first courses: 3 tablespoons of rye flour, 1 tablespoon of turpentine and a teaspoon of iodine and garlic. Mix everything thoroughly and use as an overnight ointment.
• For the second: 5 tablets of metamizole sodium and 5 ml of camphor alcohol. Bring the tablets to the state of powder, then pour in alcohol and apply overnight in the form of applications.

A needle applicator is considered another alternative therapy. Its action is aimed at reducing the pain syndrome through needle massage.

In the event that all the described methods of therapy did not give the desired result or turned out to be not long-lasting, the question of prescribing an operation is decided. Surgery is necessary when it is not possible to eliminate the pain syndrome, the degenerative-dystrophic process continues to develop, at the same time negative changes in the functioning of internal organs are observed. If the doctor still advises you to perform the operation, then you should not immediately refuse. Timely intervention will allow you to eliminate such a problem, completely restore the work of the organs and exclude the further development of complications.

Surgery usually involves two stages. The first is aimed at removing the cause - decompression, thanks to which the pain syndrome is eliminated. The second stage is the subsequent stabilization of the spine.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is a serious pathology that can not only disrupt the work of the musculoskeletal system, but also adversely affect systems and organs.

It is important to monitor your health, take preventative measures, monitor your diet and be smart about physical activity. Regular exercise is an effective prevention of osteochondrosis, but do not forget that any load should be moderate.

Treatment of the cervicothoracic type

Osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region is not considered an independent pathology. In this case, we are talking about a set of disorders that appear in the intervertebral discs and are able to affect muscle tissue, as well as nearby organs.

Cervicothoracic osteochondrosis is far from rare, more than 20% of diagnoses are attributed to this disorder. The disease is very insidious, the variety of the clinical picture in many cases makes the doctor suspect other diseases not related to the spine. For example, a doctor may suggest the presence of angina pectoris, recommend taking a drug that, in the end, will simply not give any results and, even worse, adversely affect the state of the heart system. For this reason it is very important to differentiate osteochondrosis from pathologies of internal organs. So, for dystrophic disorders in the cervicothoracic region, the following signs are characteristic:

• frequent headaches;
• loss of strength, followed by dizziness;
• aching pains in the neck, flowing into the shoulders, shoulder blades, a state of muscle stiffness;
• compression of the intercostal nerve roots, hence the pain syndrome, as well as its exacerbation;
• violations of blood pressure, there may be falls from hypertension to hypotension, more often in women;
• decreased visual acuity, problems with the hearing aid (hearing loss);
• in men, a decrease in potency with nervous overload against the background of the disease.

An important point is the formulation of the correct diagnosis; here a number of diagnostic measures will be needed, which will include: X-ray examination, ultrasound, MRI, CT.

Comprehensive treatment is mandatory and should include:

• medications;
• various physiotherapy techniques;
• Physiotherapy;
• non-traditional therapy (acupressure, acupuncture).

It is also important to take care of non-drug measures, for example: reducing physical activity, which includes minimizing the load, changing the mattress and purchasing an orthopedic-type pillow.

Atypical symptoms, sensations and pain

In addition to the typical pains that occur in thoracic osteochondrosis, there are many atypical pains that cannot be associated with spinal diseases. However, you should be aware of them:

• Pain in the heart. . . Often, with such a pathology, pains in the heart appear, while imitating the attacks of a heart attack. A distinctive feature is their durability. Unlike true heart pains, with osteochondrosis, the pain is prolonged, it can bother for several weeks. Furthermore, the use of traditional medicines does not reduce the manifestation of pain. This is where it is worth thinking about the presence of another pathology that is not related to the heart.
• Imitationpathologies of the mammary glands. . . This clinical picture applies directly to patients. Often thoracic osteochondrosis suggests diseases of the breast, as a woman can observe pain in the thoracic region for a long time, spreading to the glands. To identify the true cause of such a symptom, or at least to exclude problems with the mammary glands, is possible only after examination by a mammologist.
• Pain in the abdominal cavity. . . This symptom makes one suspect the presence of gastritis and other diseases of the digestive system. Mistakenly, a gastroenterologist can diagnose pancreatitis or cholecystitis. It is possible to refute or confirm such diagnoses with the help of a thorough examination.
• In addition to these signs, the patient may feel a pronouncedchest discomfortdescribed as having a foreign object. It is often difficult to take a deep breath or exhale, the feeling that it is impossible to inhale deeply, shortness of breath with little physical activity.

The process of treating degenerative-dystrophic disorders is not easy, it requires a lot of time, effort on the part of the patient and qualifications on the part of the attending physician.

Be sure to consult your doctor before treating any diseases. This will help account for individual tolerance, confirm the diagnosis, make sure treatment is correct, and rule out negative drug interactions. If you use prescriptions without consulting your doctor, it is entirely at your own risk. All information is presented for informational purposes only and is not medical aid. All responsibility for the application is yours.