Osteochondrosis, which affects the thoracic spine, often masquerades as pathology of internal organs.It manifests itself as pain in the heart, shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air when breathing, and panic attacks.Therefore, the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is quite difficult.After its detection, conservative treatment is carried out using drugs, physiotherapy, and exercise therapy.And in case of severe damage to the thoracic and vertebral discs, surgical intervention is required.
A brief description of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine.In the early stages of its development, the intervertebral disc is slowly destroyed.They become thin, brittle, and radial cracks appear on their surface.To stabilize the thoracic segment affected by osteochondrosis, the vertebral bone tissue grows with the formation of sharp growths - osteophytes.This causes a sharp restriction of mobility, compression of blood vessels and spinal roots.
Pathological level
The stage of osteochondrosis is a set of characteristic symptoms of a certain radiographic stage.The more deformed the disc and vertebrae, the more pronounced the clinical manifestations.The severity of the pathology always determines the treatment tactics and must be taken into account when choosing drugs and methods of their use.
I have a degree
X-rays usually do not show any changes.But the intervertebral disc has begun to deteriorate due to its inability to retain the moisture needed to restore its tissue.Sometimes mild discomfort occurs in the back, quickly disappears after a short rest.Osteochondrosis of the 1st degree is usually found incidentally during the diagnosis of other diseases.
II degree
Fibrous rings become loose and fibrous.One of the fissures on the surface of the disc widens, and the nucleus pulposus moves there.On radiographs, a decrease in the distance between adjacent vertebral bodies is noticeable due to a decrease in disc height.As a result of constant compensatory muscle tension, the mobility of the thoracic region is limited and moderate pain occurs.
III degree
The integrity of the fibrous ring is disrupted, so the nucleus pulposus is squeezed out of it.Protrusion of the hernia is formed - the main cause of severe symptoms and severe complications of thoracic osteochondrosis.The vertebral body is deformed, a single osteophyte is formed.The pain in the thoracic region becomes constant, and the range of motion in the spine is significantly reduced.
degree IV
On radiographic images, the proliferation of connective tissue and the formation of various osteophytes can be clearly seen.Adjacent vertebral bodies are blocked and immobile.Radicular syndrome develops, and discogenic myelopathy often occurs—compression of the spinal cord, which is dangerous because of its irreversible consequences.A person has difficulty taking care of himself in everyday life and loses the ability to perform professional tasks.
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: a slowdown in the recovery response, a decrease in the production of collagen, which determines the elasticity and strength of ligaments.At a younger age, it occurs as a result of increased load on the spine or against the background of pathology that already exists in the body:
- rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, ankylosing spondylitis;
- endocrine and metabolic diseases, for example, diabetes, gout, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism;
- Congenital and acquired anomalies, including kyphosis, scoliosis.
Premature disc destruction can be triggered by previous spinal injuries, inactive lifestyle, and lack of vitamins and microelements in the body.
Signs and symptoms of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis develops gradually, without showing itself at first.It is precisely in this course that the danger lies.A person mistakes mild pain and discomfort in the back as superficial muscle fatigue after a long day at work, housework or gardening and does not seek medical help.Therefore, patients are usually diagnosed with a pathology of 2-3 degrees of severity, which is difficult to treat conservatively.
At the very beginning
During the period of exacerbation, the pathology can manifest itself as pain between the shoulder blades, which occurs when bending or twisting the body.Range of motion is reduced, and many specific signs of relapse are present.
Chest pain
With osteochondrosis, chest pain appears first.It is not clearly localized and may radiate to the arms, collarbones, or ribs.Heart pain is severe or moderate, reminiscent of an angina attack, and is not eliminated by taking nitroglycerin.Sometimes they are similar to the sensations that occur during exacerbation of cholecystitis or pancreatitis.But unlike lesions of the pancreas or gallbladder, the pain is not accompanied by increased gas formation, heartburn, or bloating.
Tightness in the chest
Pain between the shoulder blades is sometimes accompanied by a feeling of lack of air when inhaling.A person becomes afraid as expected, not understanding the reasons for this situation.Doctors recommend not to panic, but sit down and take your pulse.If the value obtained does not exceed 100 beats per minute, then the possibility of lung or heart failure is very low.
Other symptoms
Gradually, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are aggravated by sensitivity disorders.A feeling of numbness, tingling, and crawling appears.From time to time, a situation resembling a panic attack occurs.They are characterized by fear, increased heart rate, excessive sweating, and cold sweats.If these symptoms are accompanied by chest pain, then you need to take nitroglycerin and contact the doctor.A similar set of symptoms may indicate a myocardial infarction.
Spinal roots located in the thoracic region innervate internal organs.When they are irritated or compressed, the function of the gastrointestinal tract and liver is disturbed.Peristalsis is disturbed, epigastric pain, heartburn, and belching occur.
Signs in the subacute stage
After exacerbation, the subacute stage of thoracic osteochondrosis occurs.The pain and breathing problems remain, but they are less intense.A person no longer searches for a long time for a comfortable body position where pain is not felt.The duration of the subacute stage is up to two weeks.If all medical recommendations are followed, remission occurs, which is characterized by the absence of obvious symptoms.Violation of the regime leads to a new exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Forgiveness
During the remission stage, slight discomfort may occur when the weather changes or hypothermia.Acute pain appears only with osteochondrosis 2-4 degrees of severity due to too sharp turning or tilting of the body.The severity of chronic pathology, stress, increased physical activity, and staying for a long time in one body position can trigger another relapse.
Principles of disease diagnosis
The neurologist makes the primary diagnosis based on the patient's complaints and medical history.During the external examination, he found a point in the thoracic region that, when pressed, caused pain.Conducting a functional test allows you to assess the integrity of reflexes and identify sensitivity disorders.Of the instrumental methods, radiography is the most informative.But for a detailed study of the spinal segment, CT and MRI can be done.To exclude diseases of the cardiovascular system, the patient is prescribed an ECG.
First aid for exacerbations
Pain during relapses of thoracic osteochondrosis can be acute and piercing, so the person must be given first aid.He should be sedated, placed on a hard surface, and covered with a warm blanket.If the relapse is accompanied by increased heart rate, shortness of breath, or increased anxiety, then you should contact a doctor.To relieve pain between the shoulder blades, you can take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis
Only an integrated approach to treatment will allow you to get rid of all the symptoms of osteochondrosis, slow down or completely stop its spread to healthy discs and vertebrae.For pathologies of 1-2 severity, conservative therapy methods are used.Osteochondrosis 3-4 degrees is characterized by the formation of a large hernia.To eliminate compression of blood vessels and spinal roots, surgical treatment may be required.
Drugs
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, drugs of various clinical and pharmacological groups are used.In the initial stages, agents for parenteral administration are usually used, which quickly have a therapeutic effect.After a few days, the injection solution is replaced by safer tablets, ointments and patches.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs have pronounced analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-edema effects.Intramuscular administration allows acute pain relief.To eliminate mild discomfort between the shoulder blades, local application products are used.And moderate pain is well treated with NSAIDs taken orally.
Relax the muscles
Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle spasms that occur in response to severe pain.Often, the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis begins with the intramuscular administration of drugs, which, in addition to the muscle relaxant tolperisone, include anesthetics.
Chondroprotectors
In the case of pathology of severity level 1, a course of taking chondroprotectors helps restore the damaged disc.In other cases, they are prescribed to improve metabolism in the affected spinal segment and prevent the progression of the disease.
Vitamin B preparations
Its use helps to increase blood flow, improve the function of the peripheral nervous system, restore trophism and conservation.Vitamin B complex has a beneficial effect on degenerative diseases of the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system.
Therapeutic exercise
For thoracic osteochondrosis of the 1st degree, daily exercise therapy allows you to do without using drugs.Recovery occurs by strengthening the muscles and improving the blood supply to the tissues with nutrients.In other cases, exercise and regular training help prevent the involvement of healthy spinal segments in the destructive process and prolong the remission stage.
Complex from a standing position
In the standing position, the following therapeutic exercises are the most therapeutically effective:
- place your palms on your shoulders, lean forward, while simultaneously lifting your bent leg, as if trying to reach the knee opposite your elbow;
- Raise the left hand and bend to the right.Do the exercise in the opposite direction;
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart and raise your arms.Leaning forward, touch your palms to the opposite leg.
The number of repetitions is 10-12 times in 2-3 approaches.
From a lying position
To perform this exercise, you will need a gymnastic mat or a thick blanket folded in half:
- lie on your stomach, at the same time raise your arms and legs;
- lie on your back, lift your upper body, extend your palms towards your feet;
- lie on your back, bend one leg, bring the other back, try to touch the surface of the floor with your knees.
Each exercise should be done 7-10 times.
From a sitting position
When performing such exercises, you should avoid sudden, high-amplitude movements, including twisting:
- sit on the floor, stretch forward, try to touch the opposite leg with your palm;
- sit on a chair or bench, stretch your arms forward and slowly turn from side to side;
- sit on the floor, grasp your knees with your hands and pull them as close to your chest as possible.
During the first lesson, the exercise should be repeated 5-7 times, after about a month - 15-20 times.
Physiotherapy treatment
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, UHF therapy, sinusoidal current, shock wave therapy, applications with paraffin and ozokerite are used.During exacerbations, electrophoresis and ultraphonophoresis with glucocorticosteroids, anesthetics, B vitamins, and chondroprotectors are performed.
massage
A massage performed by a specialist helps to relieve pain between the shoulder blades and relax the spasmed skeletal muscles.
For osteochondrosis, all types of massage are therapeutically effective - classic, vacuum, acupuncture, connective tissue.At home, self-massage can be easily done using a wooden or electric massager with a long handle.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a method of treating pathology by inserting needles into bioactive points on the human body.They are thin and short, so when the skin is pierced, only mild discomfort occurs occasionally.But even such an effect is enough for the body to produce substances with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Food
Nutritionists recommend that patients with thoracic osteochondrosis avoid fatty meats, rich soups, smoked meats, and homemade and factory-made marinades.You should limit the amount of salt in your diet, which provokes the formation of edema.Every day you need to drink about 2.5 liters of liquid - water, vegetable juice, berry drinks, fruit compote.
People's recovery
Neurologists allow the use of decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants, ointments, rubbing alcohol and oils, compresses after the main therapy.Folk remedies are used to relieve mild pain between the shoulder blades, sometimes occurring after physical activity.
Celery root
Peel the large celery root, cut it on a fine grater, squeeze the juice.Add 100 g of chopped fresh celery.Take 3 tablespoons up to 4 times a day with food to clean the vertebral structure from harmful salt deposits.
sunflower root
Pour a teaspoon of dry crushed sunflower root into a glass of hot water.Bring to a boil, simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, cool under the lid, strain.Drink during the day in 3-4 doses.
Homemade ointment
In a mortar, grind a tablespoon of gum turpentine and concentrated honey, add 2 drops of essential oil of juniper, rosemary and eucalyptus.Introduce 100 g of medical Vaseline in small portions.Stir, transfer to a jar, refrigerate, rub back for pain.
During pregnancy
Many systemic analgesics are contraindicated during pregnancy, so neurologists prefer products for external use - ointments, gels, and patches.If you can not do without taking pills, then their dose is significantly reduced.During the period of childbirth, the main method of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis is massage and exercise therapy.
Possible consequences
In the absence of medical intervention, thoracic osteochondrosis can cause pneumosclerosis, arrhythmia, vegetative-vascular dystonia, deterioration of the gastrointestinal tract, and sexual and reproductive dysfunction in women and men.
Prevention and prognosis
The prognosis is good if the disease is detected in time and efficient and comprehensive treatment is carried out.If complications of thoracic osteochondrosis have developed, then only compliance with all medical recommendations will allow achieving stable remission.
To avoid pathology, neurologists recommend excluding factors that trigger it from your normal lifestyle.These are overweight, low physical activity, lack of vitamins and microelements, and excessive pressure on the spine.