Osteochondrosis affecting the thoracic spine is often disguised as pathology of the internal organs. It manifests itself by pain in the heart, shortness of breath, feeling short of breath when inhaling, and panic attacks. Therefore, the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is somewhat difficult. After its detection, conservative treatment with drugs, physiotherapy, exercise therapy is carried out. And with severe damage to the discs of the chest and vertebrae, surgical intervention is required.
Brief description of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine. In the initial stage of its development, the intervertebral discs are slowly destroyed. They become thin, brittle, and radial cracks appear on their surface. To stabilize the thoracic segment affected by osteochondrosis, the bone tissue of the vertebrae grows with the formation of acute growths - osteophytes. This becomes the reason for a strong restriction of mobility, compression of blood vessels and spinal roots.
Pathology degrees
The degree of osteochondrosis is a set of characteristic symptoms of a certain radiographic stage. The more deformed the discs and vertebrae are, the more pronounced the clinical manifestations. The severity of the pathology always determines the treatment tactics, it should be taken into account when choosing drugs and methods of use.
I grade
X-rays generally show no change. But the intervertebral disc has already started to collapse due to the inability to retain moisture, which is necessary for the restoration of its tissues. Sometimes there is a slight discomfort in the back, which disappears quickly after a short rest. Grade 1 osteochondrosis is usually discovered by chance during the diagnosis of other diseases.
II degree
The annulus fibrosus becomes loose and fibrous. One of the cracks on the surface of the disc increases, the nucleus pulposus spreads there. On radiographs, a decrease in the distance between the adjacent vertebral bodies is noted due to a decrease in the height of the disc. As a result of constant compensatory muscle tension, mobility of the thoracic region is limited and moderate pain sensations occur.
III degree
The integrity of the annulus fibrosus is violated, thus the nucleus pulposus is squeezed. A hernial bulge forms, the main cause of severe symptoms and serious complications of thoracic osteochondrosis. The vertebral bodies are deformed, individual osteophytes are formed. Pain in the thoracic region becomes constant, the range of motion in the spine is significantly reduced.
Grade IV
X-ray images clearly show the growth of connective tissues, the formation of multiple osteophytes. The adjacent vertebral bodies are blocked, immobilized. Radicular syndrome develops, discogenic myelopathy often occurs - compression of the spinal cord, dangerous due to its irreversible consequences. A person hardly serves himself in everyday life, loses the ability to perform professional duties.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Thoracic osteochondrosis in people over 40-45 years old develops due to the natural aging of the body: slowing down of recovery reactions, decreased collagen production, causing elasticity, strength of ligaments. At an earlier age, it occurs as a result of increased stress on the spine or against the background of pathologies already present in the body:
- rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, ankylosing spondylitis;
- endocrine and metabolic diseases, eg diabetes mellitus, gout, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism;
- congenital and acquired anomalies, including kyphosis, scoliosis.
Previous spinal injuries, a sedentary lifestyle, and a lack of vitamins and microelements in the body can lead to premature disc destruction.
Characteristic signs and symptoms of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis develops gradually, initially without showing itself. It is in this course of hers that her danger lies. A person feels slight pain and discomfort in the back from trivial muscle fatigue after a hard day of work, housework or gardening and does not seek medical help. Therefore, usually patients are diagnosed with a pathology of 2-3 degrees of severity, which is difficult to treat conservatively.
At the beginning
During the period of exacerbation, the pathology can manifest itself as pain between the shoulder blades, which occurs when bending over, turning the body. Range of motion is reduced and there are many specific signs of relapse.
Chest pain
In osteochondrosis, chest pains appear first. They are not clearly localized, they can be administered to the hands, to the clavicle, to the ribs. Pain in the heart is strongly or moderately expressed, resembles an attack of angina pectoris, is not eliminated by taking nitroglycerin. Sometimes they are similar to the sensations that occur during exacerbation of cholecystitis, pancreatitis. But unlike injuries to the pancreas or gallbladder, the pain is not accompanied by increased gas production, heartburn, and bloating.
Chest constriction
Pain between the shoulder blades is sometimes accompanied by a feeling of shortness of breath when inhaling. A person is expected to be scared, without understanding the reasons for this state. Doctors recommend not to panic, but to sit down and measure your pulse. If the value obtained does not exceed 100 beats per minute, the likelihood of heart or lung disorders is extremely low.
Other symptoms
Gradually, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are aggravated by the sensitivity disorder. There are sensations of numbness, tingling, chills. From time to time, conditions that resemble panic attacks occur. They are characterized by fear, increased heart rate, excessive sweating, and cold perspiration. If these symptoms are accompanied by chest pain, you should take nitroglycerin and call a doctor. A similar set of symptoms can indicate a myocardial infarction.
The spinal roots, located in the thoracic region, innervate the internal organs. When irritated, tablets, the work of the gastrointestinal tract and liver is disturbed. Peristalsis is disturbed, epigastric pain, heartburn, and belching occur.
Signs in the subacute stage
After an exacerbation, the subacute stage of the course of thoracic osteochondrosis begins. Pain and breathing problems persist, but are much less severe. A person no longer seeks a comfortable position of the body for a long time, in which pain is not felt. The duration of the subacute stage is up to two weeks. Subject to all medical recommendations, remission occurs, which is characterized by the absence of pronounced symptoms. Violation of the regimen leads to a new exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Referral
In the remission stage, mild discomfort may occur when the weather changes or hypothermia occurs. Acute pain appears only with osteochondrosis of 2-4 degrees of severity due to too sharp rotation or tilt of the body. Exacerbation of chronic pathologies, stress, increased physical activity, prolonged stay in one position of the body can provoke another relapse.
Principles of disease diagnosis
The neurologist makes a primary diagnosis based on the patient's complaints, anamnesis data. During an external examination, he discovers points in the thoracic region, with pressure on which pain occurs. Performing functional tests allows you to assess the safety of reflexes to identify sensitivity disorders. Of the instrumental methods, radiography is the most informative. But for a detailed study of the spinal segment, a computed tomography, an MRI can be performed. To exclude diseases of the cardiovascular system, patients are assigned an ECG.
First aid in case of exacerbation
Pain during a relapse of thoracic osteochondrosis is sharp and penetrating, so a person should receive first aid. It should be calmed down, placed on a hard surface, covered with a warm blanket. If the relapse is accompanied by an increase in heart rate, shortness of breath, increased anxiety, you should call a doctor. Any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication can be taken to relieve pain between the shoulder blades.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis
Only an integrated approach to treatment will eliminate all symptoms of osteochondrosis, slow or completely stop its spread to healthy discs and vertebrae. With pathology of 1-2 degrees of severity, conservative methods of therapy are used. For osteochondrosis of 3-4 degrees, the formation of large hernias is characteristic. Surgical treatment may be required to relieve pressure on the blood vessels and spinal roots.
Preparations
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, drugs from various clinical and pharmacological groups are used. In the initial stage, agents for parenteral administration are generally used, which quickly provide a therapeutic effect. A few days later, the injection solutions are replaced by safer tablets, ointments, and plasters.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs have a pronounced analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effect. Intramuscular administration of solutions makes it possible to stop acute pain. To eliminate mild discomfort between the shoulder blades, locally applied agents are used. And with moderate pain, NSAIDs for oral administration work well.
Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle spasms in response to severe pain. Most often, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest begins with intramuscular administration of drugs, which, in addition to the muscle relaxant tolperisone, include an anesthetic.
Chondroprotectors
In case of pathology of the first degree of severity, the intake of chondroprotectors in the course helps to restore damaged discs. In other cases, they are prescribed to improve metabolism in the affected segment of the spine, to prevent progression of the disease.
Vitamin B preparations
Its use helps to increase blood flow, improve the functioning of the peripheral nervous system, restore trophism and innervation. The complex of B vitamins has a beneficial effect on degenerative diseases of the nerves and the locomotor system.
Physiotherapy exercises
In case of 1 degree thoracic osteochondrosis, daily exercise therapy allows you to do without the use of drugs. Recovery occurs by strengthening muscles, improving blood supply to tissues with nutrients. In other cases, exercise and regular training help prevent healthy spinal segments from participating in the destructive process and prolong the remission stage.
Complex from a standing position
In the standing position, the following therapeutic exercises are most effective from a therapeutic point of view:
- put your palms on your shoulders, lean forward while lifting your bent legs, as if trying to reach the opposite knee with your elbow;
- raise your left hand, lean to the right. Perform the exercise in the opposite direction;
- Spread your legs at shoulder level and raise your arms. Lean forward, touching the opposite foot with your palm.
The number of repetitions is 10-12 times in 2-3 sets.
From a prone position
To complete these exercises, you will need a gym mat or thick double-fold blanket:
- lie face down, at the same time raise your arms and legs;
- lying on your back, lift your upper body, stretch your palms to your feet;
- lying on your back, bend one leg, wrap it behind the other, trying to touch the ground with your knee.
Each exercise should be done 7 to 10 times.
Sitting
When performing these exercises, avoid sudden large movements, including twists:
- sitting on the floor, stretch forward, trying to touch the opposite foot with your palm;
- sitting on a chair or stool, stretch your arms forward and slowly turn from side to side;
- sitting on the floor, wrap your arms around your knee, pull it as close to your chest as possible.
In the first lessons, the exercises should be repeated 5-7 times, after about a month - 15-20 times.
Physiotherapy
Magnetic therapy, laser therapy, UHF therapy, sinusoidal currents, shock wave therapy, paraffin and ozokerite applications are used in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis. In exacerbations, electrophoresis, ultraphonophoresis with glucocorticosteroids, anesthetics, B vitamins, chondroprotectors are performed.
Massage
A massage performed by a specialist helps to eliminate the pain between the shoulder blades, to relax the spasmodic skeletal muscles.
In case of osteochondrosis, all types of massage are therapeutically effective: classical, vacuum, acupuncture, connective tissue. At home, self-massage is performed comfortably with an electric or wooden long-handled massager.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a method of treating pathology by installing needles at bioactive points in the human body. They are thin, short, so when piercing the skin, only slight discomfort occurs occasionally. But even this effect is sufficient for the production of substances in the body with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Nutrition
Nutritionists recommend that patients with chest osteochondrosis stop consuming fatty meats, rich soups, smoked meats, homemade and factory marinades. It is necessary to limit the amount of salt in the diet, which provokes the formation of edema. Every day you need to drink about 2, 5 liters of liquid: water, vegetable juices, berry drinks, fruit compotes.
Folk remedies
Neurologists allow neurologists to use decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants, ointments, rubbing alcohol and oil, compresses after main therapy. Home remedies are used to eliminate mild pain between the shoulder blades, which sometimes arises after physical exertion.
Celery root
Peel the large celery root, chop it finely and squeeze the juice. Add 100 g of chopped fresh celery. Take 3 tablespoons up to 4 times a day with meals to cleanse the spinal structures of harmful salt deposits.
Sunflower root
Pour a teaspoon of dried crushed sunflower roots with a glass of hot water. Bring to a boil, simmer for 20 minutes, cool under the lid, drain. Drink 3-4 times a day.
Homemade ointment
In a mortar, grind a tablespoon of turpentine gum and thick honey, add 2 drops of essential oils of juniper, rosemary, eucalyptus. Inject 100 g of medicated Vaseline in small portions. Stir, transfer to jar, store in refrigerator, rub on back for pain.
During pregnancy
Many systemic painkillers are contraindicated during pregnancy, so neurologists prefer drugs for external use - ointments, gels, patches. If you cannot do without taking pills, your doses are significantly reduced. During the maternity period, the main methods of therapy for osteochondrosis of the chest are massage and exercise therapy.
Possible consequences
In the absence of medical intervention, thoracic osteochondrosis can cause pneumosclerosis, arrhythmias, vegetative-vascular dystonia, deterioration of the gastrointestinal tract, deterioration of sexual and reproductive function in women and men.
Prevention and prognosis
The prognosis is favorable with timely detection of the disease, competent and comprehensive treatment. If complications of thoracic osteochondrosis have developed, only compliance with all medical recommendations will allow you to achieve a stable remission.
As a prophylaxis of the pathology, neurologists recommend excluding the factors that provoke it from the usual way of life. This is overweight, little physical activity, vitamin and mineral deficiency, excessive stress on the spine.