Osteochondrosis is the aging process of the spine and surrounding tissues. Specialists replace osteochondrosis with a more accurate term - "degenerative-dystrophic changes. "With age, such changes occur in the spine of each person to varying degrees.
In the early stages, osteochondrosis is almost not noticeable at all. Back pain means that changes in the spine have begun and are progressing. In the article we will talk about osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptoms and treatment.
Because of its stability, the thoracic region suffers less often than the cervical and lumbar regions. Women are more prone to thoracic osteochondrosis. Those at risk are those who spend a lot of time sitting. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine occur in 30% of people after the age of 35, and in 50-90% of older people.
In order not to waste time and avoid the consequences of osteochondrosis, it is important to consult a competent doctor at the first symptoms.
How the spine ages: mechanisms of osteochondrosis development
The vertebral bodies are separated from each other by intervertebral discs. The intervertebral disc consists of a nucleus, which is located in the center, and a fibrous ring on the periphery. As we age, the disc receives less oxygen and nutrients, and the cartilage tissue gradually breaks down. Discs lose firmness and elasticity. This is how osteochondrosis begins; with an unhealthy and inactive lifestyle, it develops and leads to complications. Cracks appear on the surface of the fibrous ring, and the nucleus pulposus protrudes through it - protrusions and hernias develop. The damage process involves vertebrae, ligaments, intercostal nerves, muscles and fascia. There is pain in the back, crackling when moving the body, intervertebral joints lose mobility.
Stages of osteochondrosis of the spine and its complications
- First stage
Intervertebral discs produce less collagen and reduce water concentration. It becomes flatter. Cracks begin to form on the surface. Discomfort and fatigue appear in the back. X-rays usually show no changes at first.
- Second stage
The surface of the disc cracks, the nucleus moves away from the center, and the annulus fibrosus loses its elasticity. This leads to disc protrusion: it protrudes into the spinal canal in the form of a cone and puts pressure on the paravertebral ligaments. Moderate pain occurs. The surrounding muscles are always tense and limit the range of motion in the thoracic region. On the x-ray you can see how the height of the intervertebral space has decreased.
- Third stage
Through the fissure of the fibrous ring, the nucleus or part of it emerges into the lumen of the spinal canal. The vertebrae are getting closer to each other, and osteophytes—bone growths—appear on their bodies. Osteophytes limit mobility and increase the surface area of the vertebrae so that loads are distributed more evenly. The roots of the spine are affected, causing the back pain to intensify and spread along the ribs. X-rays show osteophytes and a sudden decrease in the intervertebral space.
- Fourth stage
At this stage, the back pain is severe and persistent. Posture changes, and it is difficult for a person to perform normal actions. The psycho-emotional sphere suffers. X-rays show a deformed spine.
Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis
The main cause of osteochondrosis is the degenerative-dystrophic changes that occur in the spine with age. There are many factors and diseases that affect the development of osteochondrosis:
- sedentary lifestyle
- overweight
- frequent hypothermia
- bad habits
- Improper weight lifting
- Uneven load on one shoulder when carrying heavy objects
- hereditary tendency
- Flat feet
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- spinal deformity, poor posture - scoliosis, kyphosis
- metabolic disorders in endocrine diseases - diabetes mellitus, gout, thyroid pathology
- autoimmune diseases - systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis
- walk in high heels
- back injury
Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine in women and men
The clinical picture of osteochondrosis consists of the following syndromes: pain, muscle-tonic, radicular and sometimes facet.
- Pain syndrome
Protrusions, hernias and osteophytes put pressure on the paravertebral ligaments, and pain occurs. In the early stages of osteochondrosis, it only appears after lifting weights or physical activity and disappears with rest. As the disease progresses, pain occurs even without exercise.
- Muscle-tonic syndrome
Sustained muscle spasms occur in response to pain. Muscles often spasm throughout the spine, so pain occurs not only in the chest, but also in the neck and lower back.
- Radicular syndrome
Protrusions and hernias can compress nerve roots, causing pain and burning along the ribs. The pain often occurs at night and worsens with exercise.
- Facet syndrome
It develops with arthrosis of the small joints between the vertebral arches. With this syndrome, the back hurts in the thoracic region. The pain can last for years and cause limited movement.
A characteristic sign of thoracic osteochondrosis is pain between the shoulder blades. It gets stronger when a person twists, bends, straightens or rounds their back. Pain can be acute or chronic:
- Acute pain occurs suddenly, after a sudden movement or turn. The attacks are short-lived: they usually disappear after changing the position of the body, but sometimes they last for several days.
- Chronic pain lasts for 12 weeks. One cannot stand for a long time, it hurts to get up after sitting for a long time.
Other manifestations of osteochondrosis include:
- pain, burning, tightness in the chest
- pain behind the sternum, in the middle of the chest, it can radiate to the collarbone, neck, ribs, arms, simulation of heart pathology
- frequent throbbing in the back when moving
- shortness of breath due to pain when inhaling and exhaling deeply
- difficulty moving the spine
- back muscle weakness
- depression, depression due to chronic pain
- feeling of a lump in the chest
Differential diagnosis is carried out with pathologies of the lungs, cardiovascular system, mammary glands, exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
At the first episode of back pain, it is better to consult a neurologist. The doctor will establish the correct diagnosis, rule out similar diseases and find out why osteochondrosis develops.
At the initial appointment, the doctor collects an anamnesis: asks the patient to talk about complaints, medications he takes, hereditary and chronic diseases, injuries, operations, and work conditions. In women, neurologists learn about the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
During the examination, the doctor pays attention to the patient's appearance: posture, weight-to-height ratio, body proportions. Check the neurological status: muscle strength, sensitivity in the limbs, tendon reflexes, range of motion in the spine. Doctors also assess pain using a special scale.
Instrumental diagnostic methods help to establish the diagnosis:
- Radiography. This is a simple study that reveals curvature of the spine, fractures and dislocations of the vertebrae, and narrowing of the intervertebral space.
- CT scan. This is a more informative method, showing pathologies of the vertebrae and discs that cannot be seen on x-ray. Allows you to assess the extent of damage to the spine and monitor the progress of treatment.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. It helps diagnose protrusion, intervertebral disc herniation, and spinal nerve root pathology.
To exclude diseases of the heart and internal organs, the doctor may refer the patient to an abdominal ultrasound, gastroscopy, or ECG.
Treatment: what to do for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
You should not self-medicate, prescribe drugs or procedures for yourself - this can lead to side effects and dangerous complications. The doctor must treat the patient and monitor the dynamics of his condition.
How long the therapy will last depends on the stage of the process and the main symptoms. For conservative treatment of osteochondrosis, doctors use the following methods:
Drug therapy
Patients are prescribed the main group of drugs:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - relieve pain, relieve inflammation and tissue swelling.
- Muscle relaxant - relaxes muscles and reduces pain.
- Glucocorticoids - slow down the destruction of intervertebral discs and reduce inflammation. They are prescribed when NSAIDs and muscle relaxants do not help.
Physical therapy
The instructor chooses exercises to strengthen the thoracic muscles, correct posture and improve spinal mobility.
Different typesphysiotherapy. apply for:
- Magnetic therapy - improves tissue metabolism, reduces pain and swelling.
- Laser therapy - promotes tissue nutrition and recovery, eliminates inflammation.
- Shock wave therapy - destroys calcium salt deposits on the vertebrae, accelerates the regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue.
Acupuncture
It stimulates blood circulation in the tissue in the affected vertebral area, relaxes the muscles, reduces pain and swelling.
Record
Apply a special adhesive tape to the skin in the area of the back that hurts. The tape controls muscle tone and distributes the load correctly.
Massage, manual therapy
As a complementary therapy to relax the muscles and increase the mobility of the spine.
Doctors do everything possible to treat patients conservatively. If the available therapy does not help, the patient is referred to consult a neurosurgeon.
Complications: danger of thoracic osteochondrosis in men and women
If you contact a specialist in time and lead a healthy lifestyle, changes in the spine can be stopped. If the patient consults a doctor at the final stage, then even adequate therapy does not always guarantee a good prognosis.
Untreated osteochondrosis can cause protrusion or herniation of the intervertebral disc, chronic pain in the back or other parts of the body, low mobility of the spine and its deformation.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
To prevent the development of osteochondrosis of the chest, neck and other parts, it is important to follow these rules:
- sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow
- When lifting weights, do not bend over, but squat so that the weight falls on the hips
- carry a bag or backpack alternately on the left and right shoulder, so as not to load only one side
- avoid injury
- stop smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- drink enough water
- warm up while sitting for a long time, playing sports, swimming, walking
- monitor weight
- timely treatment of infectious and chronic diseases
- wear comfortable shoes
If you have back pain in the thoracic or other parts of the spine, do not postpone the examination until later. Make an appointment with a neurologist. The doctor will carry out a full diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan. You will get rid of pain and maintain the health of your spine.