Osteochondrosis is a long-term disease. Most often, when assessing the severity of pathological processes, four stages are distinguished:
- The first stage is the period of initial changes in the fibrous ring of the disc, which often remain unnoticed by the patient;
- The second stage corresponds to the appearance of instability in the affected segment of the spine, a decrease in the height of the disc;
- The third stage is characterized by the appearance of hernias or osteochondral growths - osteophytes; the fibrous ring at this stage is almost destroyed;
- The fourth stage is characterized by irreversible damage to all structures providing intervertebral articulation, disc fibrosis and loss of mobility in the affected segment.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the chest
It has been proven that from around the age of 20, our vertebrae begin to slowly deteriorate. With age, wear and tear on the spine progresses. Due to the degenerative processes, there is a decrease in the thickness of the intervertebral disc, which plays the role of a shock absorber. In addition, abnormal structures appear on the bone edges of adjacent vertebrae: bone spurs, spondylophytes, which reduce the range of motion.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes start from the nucleus pulposus, then spread to the fibrous ring, as well as to other structural elements of the vertebrae, causing the appearance of characteristic symptoms.
Due to the loss of water, the nucleus pulposus ceases to evenly distribute the vertical load. This negatively affects the annulus fibrosus. Excessive compression (compression) leads to its mechanical damage, the appearance of tears and cracks. The joints begin to experience excessive stress, which gradually leads to instability and pain in the spine.
So the main cause of osteochondrosis is natural aging. However, its development is also facilitated by a combination of many unfavorable factors that increase the probability of the disease's manifestation. They include:
- smoking;
- Performed operative interventions on the spine;
- Injuries to this part of the spine;
- Curvature of the spine (scoliosis);
- Back muscle weakness;
- Excess body weight;
- Increased load on the spine.
It is assumed that the involution (aging) of the cartilage and bone tissue of the vertebrae is genetically determined, and the progression to a disease state with characteristic symptoms and manifestations occurs under the influence of external and internal factors. The processes can start earlier if they are preceded by damage (mechanical, inflammatory, etc. ).
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest will depend on the stage of the pathological process and existing structural disorders. Unlike other regions of the spine (cervical, lumbar), radicular syndrome and other neurological complications are less common in the thoracic region. This is explained by the presence of a bony framework of the chest, which limits the displacement and compression of this part of the spine. Most often, pain in the chest area (dorsalgia or thoracic lumbago) is associated with immobilization of the intervertebral joints.
Reference! Thoracic lumbago or dorsago in neurology refers to acute pain of high intensity that occurs in the chest of the spine, often associated with difficulty breathing. The cause of the condition lies in a strong spasm of the back muscles. It cannot be ignored because. . . Myocardial infarction can begin in a similar way, and frequent lumbago can be associated with serious pathologies in the body.
The pain can last from a few hours to a few days. As a rule, it is not as intense as with damage to other parts of the spine, but it is also associated with movement of the spine. In addition, muscle hypertonus is detected in this area, which can be combined with weakness and numbness of the hands.
The pain can be dull, burning, deep, paroxysmal or constant. It is felt in the chest, heart and other organs. Patients describe it as a "stake in the chest", "compression of the chest with a hoop", "a knife blow between the shoulder blades". This section is characterized by radiating and encircling pain associated with deep sighs, coughing and sudden movements of the chest.
Without treatment, osteochondrosis of the chest is often complicated by intercostal neuralgia. In this case, the burning pain can be localized in the area of the heart and can be confused by the patient for manifestations of cardiac pathology.
important! If you feel pain in the area of the heart, you should not try to make a differential diagnosis yourself. In order to rule out heart diseases and prevent the progression of pathological processes in the spine, it is important not to delay the visit to the doctor, not to wait for the pain and not to self-medicate.
Pain can increase with physical activity, bending over and psycho-emotional stress. When the end vertebrae of this area are affected, the pain can radiate to the lower back, sacrum and even the buttocks.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the chest
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the chest is a multi-stage process. First of all, the doctor will take a medical history:
- Understand your medical history;
- Have you had close relatives with spinal diseases?
- How long ago did the symptoms start and what is their intensity;
- What co-morbidities are there?
A physical examination of the patient is required, including skin examination, assessment of postural abnormalities, and palpation of the muscles located near the spine. Neurological tests may be performed to make a diagnosis.
Instrumental diagnostics
Imaging allows you to assess the extent of cartilage damage, identify other existing disorders and exclude diseases with similar symptoms. The recommended methods for instrumental diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the chest include:
- X-ray (spondylography) - gives information about the structure of the bone, the presence of osteophytes, the state of the facet joints;
- CT (computed tomography) allows you to examine everything in detail and, if necessary, take measurements, it has advantages over MRI in diagnosing the pathology of bone structures;
- MRI (magnetic resonance) allows you to assess the condition of soft tissues, diagnose inflammatory processes, tumors, spinal hernias, identify pathological changes in cartilage, bones, ligaments, blood vessels and determine the narrowing of the spinal canal. With the help of MRI, vascular pathologies and disorders of blood circulation of tissues in the chest are detected.
Drug blocks can also be used for diagnostic purposes. Due to the variety of pain manifestations, additional tests are often needed to rule out:
- Angina pectoris;
- Myocardial infarction;
- aortic aneurysms,
- cholecystitis,
- Stomach ulcer;
- Pneumonia;
- Oncological diseases, etc.
Methods of treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the chest is a disease that requires complex treatment. In addition to treatment with drugs to relieve pain, it is important to contact specialists in the field of traumatology and neurology to understand the exact causes of the alarming symptoms.
Treatment tactics will depend on the severity of the disease. Usually, the first treatment option is conservative therapy, such as physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heat therapy, and nerve block injections.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the chest allows you to strengthen the muscles of the back and interscapular region, form a muscle corset and correct posture, ensure muscle relaxation and improve blood circulation in this segment of the spine. With osteochondrosis of this area, breathing exercises, gathering the shoulder blades and rotating the shoulders are useful.
Massage helps normalize blood supply, lymphatic drainage and activates metabolic processes. It is prescribed outside of an exacerbation, when the patient does not suffer from severe pain. Different types of medical massage are used: manual, underwater, vacuum.
Manual therapy methods are also popular. Chiropractors work with blocks and braces of the musculoskeletal system, removing them using a variety of techniques. Acupressure or point massage can also be done for acute pain. During it, the doctor, pressing his fingers on certain points with different intensity, has a therapeutic effect on the whole body.
Physiotherapy techniques are quite effective in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest. They help reduce pain, improve blood circulation and strengthen spinal muscles. Between them:
- Ultrasound therapy;
- Electrophoresis of drugs;
- Laser therapy in the area of the spine;
- Transcutaneous electrical neuromyostimulation;
- Exposure to magnetic fields;
- Electrical impulse therapy.
To enhance the therapeutic effect, a combination of drug and non-drug therapy methods is recommended. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest can take a long time, but the results will be visible after the first procedures. The main thing is not to delay the visit to the doctor and start the treatment in the early stages of the disease.
If conservative treatment does not help, surgery may be necessary. Decompression and stabilization operations are most often performed. They allow you to stop compression of the spinal cord, nerve roots from hernias, osteophytes or hypertrophied ligaments and fix the affected segment.
After surgical treatment, you will need to wear a special corset for some time. Upon discharge from the hospital, a course of medical rehabilitation is prescribed.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis at home
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest at home can be effective if a number of conditions are met. First of all, the diagnosis must be established by a specialist after a complete examination. Treatment methods should also be discussed with a doctor to make sure there are no contraindications in the presence of concomitant pathologies.
The most important and basic thing is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, controlling body weight and adding enough physical activity. The best way to deal with back pain is to exercise. They will help strengthen the back muscles, improve blood circulation, cope with stress more easily and thus prevent the progression of the disease.
If the condition worsens or there is a strong, sharp pain, it is better to lie down and ensure the spine at rest. Heat treatments and massages help to deal with unpleasant sensations. In any case, home treatment does not replace consultation with a specialist and the implementation of his recommendations. Uncontrolled self-treatment can lead to deterioration of the condition and development of complications.
Which doctor should I contact?
Neurologists and orthopedists treat osteochondrosis of the chest. They carry out diagnostics, make a diagnosis and choose an appropriate treatment. Patients may also require consultation with a physical therapist and exercise physician.
If you have chest pain, you can also consult a therapist. He will analyze the clinical manifestations, prescribe the necessary tests and refer you to a specialist.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
Doctors at your regional clinic will help you cope with the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest. For the most part, almost every clinic has the necessary modern diagnostic equipment, which allows you to get the most accurate information about the condition of the spine and choose the most effective method of treatment. Experienced specialists from various profiles help patients restore their health in comfortable conditions: neurologists, orthopedists, physiotherapists, massage therapists, therapists.
If necessary, in modern realities it is possible to get advice from other specialized specialists in the shortest possible time and without queues. Consultants are ready to help if questions arise. Fill out the feedback form on the Internet and they will definitely call you back.