Symptoms and treatment of thoracic spinal osteochondrosis

It is rarely possible to diagnose thoracic spinal osteochondrosis (GO), in contrast to cervical and lumbar, which is found in every 2-3 patients aged 18 years and older. 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 therefore, the load on it is not high, because the main "blow" is taken by the sternum along with the ribs.

The main reason why the development of chest pathology begins is an increase in the load on the intervertebral disc and, consequently, a violation of metabolic processes, as well as its structure. . . With the presence of such diseases, the shock -absorbing properties of the disc disappear, the fibrous rings become thinner, dry, after this process, nerve endings become inflamed, the person feels constant pain, discomfort, and motor activity decreases. With the rapid course of the disease, it affects the ligaments of the spine and articular joints.

Now, many experts have considered it a rule to classify osteochondrosis not according to the stage of the course, but according to the degree, which is also distinguished by the characteristics of the symptoms.

If we take into account the general symptomatology, then osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is not so pronounced, unlike other types, however, there is a characteristic clinical picture. Therefore, patients may complain of the presence of the following symptoms:

• pain in the thoracic region, often exacerbated by prolonged exposure to one position or at night;
• a painful sensation between the shoulder blades, meanwhile, it is increased by lifting the arms or after doing physical exercise;
• discomfort, pain when trying to breathe deeply, these symptoms are also observed when you exhale;
• while walking there is pain in the ribs and tears in the chest.

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, in some cases the following manifestations are possible:

• numbness in the upper part of the body, a feeling of "chills" flowing through the skin;
• disorders of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
• feeling cold in the feet, inability to warm them.

Also, the characteristic signs of such a disease are dorsago - the occurrence of sharp pain between the shoulder blades and dorsalgia - a slow pain syndrome that has no clear picture.

It should be noted that, like other types of osteochondrosis, chest disease often affects people who lead an inactive lifestyle. Regular sitting in front of a computer, bending over, doing strenuous physical exercise, are also factors that provoke the development of this disease.

How the disease is manifested in women and men

The development of degenerative -dystrophic processes in the thoracic region in patients is considered a diagnosis - thoracic osteochondrosis. With this disease, there is destruction of the intervertebral disc and a lack of nutrients in the structure of connective tissue. In addition, the circulatory process is disrupted, because the chest area is inactive. And the pain syndrome itself occurs due to pinching of nerve endings during the development of pathology.

As shown by statistical data, HO is diagnosed in women at a more frequent time than in men, and at the same time at a younger age. The main reason for this phenomenon is a change in hormone levels when entering the menopausal phase. The impetus for the development of this 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. In particular, it is possible to establish a diagnosis already in the course of a clear picture, when the symptoms have become clear. When it comes to a clear period, then two types of symptoms should be distinguished here:

1. The development of painful sensations. . . Here we are talking about the occurrence of pain in the thoracic area, between the shoulder blades, radiating to the solar plexus area. The pain syndrome can migrate to the neck area, mimicking cervical osteochondrosis and into the arms. Often women observe pain in the mammary glands, confusing them with breast pathology. As a rule, pain sensations are not permanent, they are painful, but at the same time, they have no intensity.
2. Blood pressure disorders. . . With osteochondrosis of the breast in women, there is such a thing as hypertension syndrome, which is characterized by increased stress and can trigger a hypertensive crisis. A hallmark of normal hypertension may be the presence of minimal side effects from the use of drugs that lower blood pressure. If you are experiencing a similar situation, 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 in the left side of the thoracic region,not associated with heart damage. . . In medical terms, this phenomenon is called cardialgia. It is not difficult to diagnose it, because with the development of such symptoms, it cannot be stopped by using heart medications.
• Disorders of the function of the digestive system. . . Often, with the onset of the development of osteochondrosis, the problem begins with the internal organs, more often with the gastrointestinal tract. The most notable examples are the formation of heartburn, increased acidity and a persistent feeling of bloating (bloating). Among other things, there may be problems with digestion of food - nausea after eating, heaviness, bloating. Against the background of all the above, the work of the chair is also disrupted - constipation or frequent diarrhea.
• Respiratory disorders. . . Since dystrophic processes occur in the chest area, cases of violations of the respiratory system are not uncommon. All of these are accompanied by unreasonable dizziness, general weakness, shortness of breath and other symptoms that may indirectly resemble cardiac pathology or problems with pressure (arterial / intracranial).

With regard to therapy, it largely depends on the signs of pathological processes. To relieve pain, painkillers are prescribed, including NSAIDs in the form of ointments or gels. During periods of exacerbation, muscle relaxants are more effective, they reduce smooth muscle spasms, relax muscles, relieve pain syndrome, reviews of their use are positive. When the pain becomes completely unbearable, restriction with painkillers is used.

Thoracic treatment

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

• The first. . . The symptoms are not so noticeable, however, the process of dehydration of the thoracic spinal disc has already begun. As a result, they lose their elasticity, begin to acquire a flatter appearance, but, at the same time, they can still withstand certain loads. Occasionally, the painful sensation of this type of pain is interrupted, but not mild and often does not require painkillers.
• The second. . . At this stage, negative changes affect the annulus fibrosus, various types of damage are observed - cracking, loss of stability. There is a change in the pain syndrome, it becomes more disturbing, felt, intensified by increased motor activity - turns, turns.
• Third. . . On x-ray, a rupture of the fibrous annulus is clearly visible, and a hernia begins to form. The sensation of pain becomes more pronounced, from the whining character can flow to become sharper, intensified with movement and even at rest.
• Fourth. . . Spondyloarthrosis is actively developing, against the background of vertebral convergence and disc deletion. As a result, the connective tissue of the annulus fibrosus is replaced by bone tissue, which significantly limits motor ability.

The clinical picture of thoracic osteochondrosis is such that it is more likely to diagnose this disorder:

• sick. . . Almost always, the localization is in a particular place, usually on the left. After a while, it spreads to the entire chest area, breathing becomes difficult, it becomes difficult to climb stairs or exercise.
• Increased pain. . . Reinforcement occurs when turning or tilting, in general, with any physical activity, the same thing is observed when trying to take a deep breath.
• Muscle cramp. . . Muscle spasms added to the above symptoms, contractions falling mostly in the upper back. In more rare cases, such symptoms are 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. At this time, a person is accompanied by chest discomfort, exacerbated by movement, discomfort when trying to inhale in / out. Women may get the impression of having a problem with the mammary glands, which will make them think of treating it, and in men, the feeling of a foreign object behind the sternum.

It should also be noted that the overall clinical picture described above improves at night or after hypothermia. The next morning, as a rule, it becomes easier, but by evening it all repeats itself again.

How to treat, what methods exist, what to take? With regard to therapeutic measures, they should be initiated as early as possible. Often, in the first stage, it is possible to do without the use of drugs, but only with regular gymnastics - exercise therapy.

The later stage of pathological development, at 2 degrees, involves the use of drugs. These include various groups of drugs, the most popular of which are presented in the table below.

Drug group	The main action of the drug
Pain reliever, analgesic	They relieve the pain syndrome, reducing its manifestations.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)	Eliminates inflammation, relieves pain, swelling.
Chondroprotectors	They increase the production of intra-articular secretions, slow down the process of cartilage destruction, and reduce the manifestations of inflammatory processes.
Relax your muscles	They reduce skeletal muscle tone, have a relaxing effect, and help relieve back pain effectively.
Sedative, sedative	For more effective therapy, because severe pain can trigger stress, which exacerbates the effects of treatment.

In addition to essential medications, a course of vitamin-medications is recommended.

In cases when the overall clinical picture worsens, the main goal of therapy is to relieve symptoms. For a more pronounced and rapid action, analgesic drugs are prescribed in the form of injections, as well as steroid types.

After eliminating the deterioration and achieving stability of the situation, it is necessary to begin basic therapy. A fairly wide range of drugs can be prescribed, as only complex effects on the disease can give positive results.

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

• Chondroprotectors.They are used in tablet form and for local therapy, in the form of ointments or gels. It is not possible to exclude the use of such drugs, it is the basis for complete therapy. Their action aims to prevent the process of destruction of cartilage tissue and the further development of dystrophic changes. In addition, they increase the regenerative capacity of cartilage. However, it is impossible to completely get rid of the pathology with the help of such drugs, it can not be considered a panacea.
• Vasodilator. . . They are necessary to improve blood circulation and, consequently, nutrition in the affected area. Often, relatively effective medications are prescribed that improve blood microcirculation, helping to relieve pain that occurs during rest.
• Local therapy. . . For best effect, an ointment or gel is prescribed. So, good results can be achieved only with the help of complex effects, therefore, when prescribing NSAIDs and chondroprotectors, it is common to additionally recommend ointments of the same pharmacological group. Also popular are creams based on bee or snake venom, they have a clear analgesic effect and are a good addition to the main therapy.
• vitamin. . . In particular, B group vitamins are prescribed. They have analgesic properties, help to overcome the inflammatory process and with the violation of nerve endings.
• Without fail, along with the effects of medication, a course of physiotherapy, therapeutic massage, exercise therapy is prescribed.

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

• magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, therapeutic mud;
• complex physiotherapy exercises;
• acupuncture, acupressure.

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

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

Sports with osteochondrosis are not the last thing. With this pathology, it is important to regularly do all the prescribed exercises that will strengthen the muscles and have a positive effect on the outcome of 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, due to the fact that its effectiveness will be minimal, and in many cases zero. However, in addition to mainstream therapy, folk remedies may be recommended. The following homemade recipes are known:

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

Needle applicators are considered another alternative therapy. Its action aims to reduce pain syndrome through needle massage.

In cases when all the described methods of therapy do not give the desired result or turn out not to be durable, the question of prescribing surgery is decided. Surgery is necessary when it is not possible to eliminate the pain syndrome, degenerative-dystrophic processes continue to develop, at the same time, negative changes in the function of internal organs are observed. If the doctor still recommends you to undergo surgery, then you should not immediately refuse. Timely intervention will allow you to get rid of such problems, fully restore the work of organs and exclude the development of further complications.

Surgery usually involves two stages. The first aims to eliminate the cause - decompression, from 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 interfere with the work of the musculoskeletal system, but also negatively affect the system and organs.

It is important to monitor your own health, take precautions, 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 pathology independent. In this case, we are talking about a set of disorders that appear in the intervertebral disc and are capable of affecting muscle tissue, as well as nearby organs.

Cervicothoracic osteochondrosis is far from unusual, more than 20% of diagnoses are associated with the disease. The disease is very dangerous, the diversity of clinical picture in many cases makes doctors suspect about other diseases not related to the spine. For example, a doctor may suggest the presence of angina pectoris, recommend taking medication, which, in the end, will not give any results, and worst of all, it will negatively affect the state of the cardiovascular system. For this reason, it is very important to distinguish osteochondrosis from internal organ pathology. Therefore, for dystrophic disorders in the cervicothoracic region, the following signs are characteristic:

• frequent headaches;
• loss of strength, followed by dizziness;
• aching pain in the neck, flowing to the shoulders, shoulder blades, a state of muscle stiffness;
• intercostal nerve root compression, hence pain syndrome, as well as exacerbation;
• violation of blood pressure, there may be a decrease from hypertension to hypotension, more often in women;
• decreased visual acuity, problems with hearing aids (hearing loss);
• in men, a decrease in potency with nerve load on the background of the disease.

The important thing is the correct formulation of the diagnosis; several diagnostic measures will be required here, which include: X-ray examination, ultrasound, MRI, CT.

Comprehensive treatment is mandatory and should include:

• medicines;
• various physiotherapy techniques;
• physiotherapy;
• non -traditional therapies (acupressure, acupuncture).

It is also important to take care of non-drug measures, for example: to reduce physical activity, including minimizing the load, changing mattresses, and buying orthopedic-type pillows.

Atypical symptoms, sensations and pain

In addition to the common pain evident in chest osteochondrosis, there are many atypical pains that cannot be attributed to spinal disease. However, you should be aware of them:

• It hurts. . . Often, with such pathology, pain in the heart appears, while mimicking the onset of a heart attack. One feature that sets it apart is its duration. Unlike real heart pain, with osteochondrosis, the pain is prolonged, it can last for weeks. In addition, the use of traditional medicine does not reduce the manifestations of pain. This is where it is worth considering the presence of other pathologies unrelated to the heart.
• Imitationmammary gland pathology. . . This clinical picture applies directly to the patient. Often, thoracic osteochondrosis makes a person think about breast disease, because a woman can see pain in the thoracic area for a long time, spreading to the glands. To identify the real cause of such symptoms, or at least to exclude problems with the mammary glands, it is possible only after examination by a mammologist.
• Pain in the abdominal cavity. . . These symptoms make one suspect the presence of gastritis and other diseases of the digestive system. By mistake, a gastroenterologist can diagnose pancreatitis or cholecystitis. It is possible to refute or confirm such a diagnosis with the help of a thorough examination.
• In addition to these symptoms, the patient may feel dizzychest discomfortis described as having a foreign object. It is often difficult to take a deep breath or exhale, a feeling that it is impossible to breathe deeply, shortness of breath with little physical activity.

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

Be sure to consult your doctor before treating the disease. This will help to take into account individual tolerance, confirm the diagnosis, ensure that treatment is correct and exclude negative drug interactions. If you use a prescription without consulting your doctor, then it is entirely at your own risk. All information is presented for informational purposes only and not medical assistance. All responsibility for the application rests with you.