Recently, doctors have received complaints about back pain, and young women often suffer from them. If the discomfort is localized in the thoracic spine, then it may be caused by a disease such as thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are described in detail below.
Thoracic osteochondrosis - causes
Spinal osteochondrosis is a pathology in which negative changes occur in the tissues of the intervertebral discs - the elements of the spinal column are located between two vertebral bodies. An intervertebral disc is a flat round cushion composed of a gel-like collagen core, connective fibers and vitreous cartilage tissue. The main functions provided by these structures are:
- closure and retention of adjacent vertebral bone bodies;
- shock absorber protection of the spine, protection from damage due to body weight and loads;
- ensuring mobility of adjacent vertebrae relative to each other.
If the intervertebral discs are in a satisfactory functional condition, the spine is provided with flexibility, mobility and the ability to withstand various mechanical loads. When the cartilage structure changes its shape, texture, loses strength and flexibility, these functions cannot be fully performed. Basically, this happens against the background of metabolic disorders.
In part, pathological changes in the intervertebral discs that cause thoracic osteochondrosis are explained by the fact that with age they stop being fed by their own blood vessels and the supply of nutrients is possible only thanks to neighboring structures (ligaments, vertebral bodies). The exact causes of improper nutrition of intervertebral structures and the mechanism of their destruction are unknown, but doctors identify a number of predisposing factors:
- systemic metabolic disorders in the body;
- excessive body weight;
- poor diet, drinking regime;
- immobility;
- sedentary work;
- poor posture;
- straight legs;
- back, spinal cord injury;
- intensive physical labor or sports training;
- pregnancy;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes, high heels.
Degrees of thoracic osteochondrosis
A disease such as thoracic osteochondrosis does not show symptoms immediately, because it develops gradually and over a long period of time. In addition, due to the low mobility of the spine in this area, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region manifests itself in the later stages, when there are significant pathological changes. In general, four degrees of pathology are distinguished, depending on the developed deviations.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 1st degree
The preclinical stage is 1st grade osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. At this stage, the central part of the intervertebral discs is partially dehydrated and compacted, their height decreases, which leads to a decrease in their flexibility and strength. The ability of the spine to withstand normal loads is still preserved. Disc protrusions begin to form.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 2nd degree
When grade 2 thoracic osteochondrosis develops, the disease is characterized by the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring. Disc degeneration (thinning) continues, the amount of intervertebral fluid decreases significantly, and as the load on the back increases, the vertebrae begin to rub against each other. This stage is sometimes called discogenic radiculitis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 3rd degree
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine of the 3rd degree is the destruction and rupture of the fibrous tissues of the disc, the release of the main part, i. e. the formation of a herniated protrusion of the intervertebral disc occurs. As a result, nerve roots begin to be compressed, nearby vessels are compressed, veins and arteries are compressed.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 4 degrees
The last, most severe stage of the disease is characterized by displacement, twisting, deformation of the vertebral bodies, further increase in their area and spread. The affected fibrous disc tissue begins to be replaced by bone tissue in the form of specific growths - osteophytes, compressing the spinal cord. As a result, the mobility of the spine is significantly reduced.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - symptoms
Due to the peculiarities of the localization of pathological processes, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has both typical and atypical symptoms, repeating the manifestations of other diseases. This is due to the compression of blood vessels and nerve fibers, structural changes in the spine, and disruption of the functions of nearby internal organs.
Let's list the characteristic and most common symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- back and chest pain;
- feeling of tightness in the chest;
- tingling sensation in limbs;
- numbness in arms, legs, neck, shoulders;
- stiffness, pains in the back and limbs;
- spasms of upper and middle back muscles;
- limited mobility of the spine in this area (difficulty in bending the body).
Pain due to osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
When "thoracic osteochondrosis" is diagnosed, among other complaints, symptoms related to pain come to the fore. Their intensity and duration depend on the stage of the pathological process. The localization of the pain can change rapidly from time to time, for example, moving from one area of the chest to another and covering the entire chest. The pain is often felt in the area between the shoulder blades. The nature of pain in thoracic osteochondrosis is dull, oppressive, sharp. Increased pain is observed at night and with:
- raise your hands;
- the neck turns;
- transportation of heavy objects;
- sudden movements;
- increased physical activity;
- strong breathing, coughing, sneezing;
- hypothermia.
Can there be shortness of breath with thoracic osteochondrosis?
Shortness of breath often occurs with thoracic osteochondrosis due to displacement of vertebral bodies, pathological changes in the structure of the chest, compression of nerve fibers and blood vessels connected to the lungs. In addition, because in the thoracic region there are structures responsible for the innervation of the heart, intestines, liver, kidneys and some other organs, in many cases the disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- headache, dizziness;
- pain in the heart region;
- pain in the mammary glands;
- pain in the hypochondrium (similar to the appearance of pancreatitis, cholecystitis);
- epigastric pain not associated with food;
- discomfort in the pharynx, esophagus, feeling of a foreign body;
- sexual dysfunctions.
Pain in the heart with thoracic osteochondrosis, often pressing, squeezing, can be misleading when making a diagnosis, because it resembles the manifestations of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction. A feature of these feelings is that they last for a long time and have no effect when taking drugs to expand the heart's vessels. There are no changes in the cardiogram.
Syndromes with thoracic osteochondrosis
In women, symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis associated with a mechanism of formation are complex in many cases. There are two syndromes with a number of specific pathological conditions caused by thoracic osteochondrosis:
- dorsalgia;
- chest
Dorsalgia of the thoracic spine
With thoracic osteochondrosis in women, long-term, not very obvious pain, often characterized as pain, pulling, is characteristic of dorsalgia. Complaints may be present for 2-3 weeks, the discomfort either decreases slightly (especially when walking) or increases (often at night, when bending over or taking a deep breath). In the presence of this syndrome, thoracic osteochondrosis may also have symptoms related to breathing difficulties and muscle stiffness.
Dorsago of the thoracic spine
Paroxysmal manifestations of the disease are called "dorsago" or "thoracic lumbago". In this case, the pain appears suddenly, sharply, often similar to the symptoms of a heart attack. An attack of thoracic osteochondrosis has the following symptoms:
- sharp, stabbing pain;
- pain is felt between the ribs, in the interscapular region;
- often an attack appears after a long stay in one position;
- pain intensifies during rotation of the torso;
- there is difficulty breathing, severe muscle tension.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - results
If the treatment of the pathology is not started on time, osteochondrosis of the breast can lead to the following consequences:
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- migraine;
- dysfunction of internal organs (liver, kidneys, etc. );
- decrease in hearing, vision;
- epicondylitis of the elbow joint;
- paresis and paralysis of arms;
- rachiocampis;
- loss of sensitivity of skin tissue;
- disability etc.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
If symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis appear, it is recommended to consult a neurologist, who will be able to make a preliminary diagnosis after examining the back and examining the spine in several positions of the patient. X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography are prescribed to determine the extent of the damage. Treatment tactics depend on the results obtained.
Painful symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine are often relieved by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In case of exacerbation accompanied by severe pain, paravertebral blockades can be done with an anesthetic solution. In addition, the following drugs can be prescribed as part of conservative therapy:
- muscle relaxant;
- chondroprotectors;
- corticosteroids, etc.
The following treatment methods are used to improve metabolic processes, eliminate muscle hypertonicity and prevent various complications:
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- stretching of the spine;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (laser, ultrasound, etc. ).
Surgical treatment is required when the spinal cord is compressed by a fragment of the intervertebral disc. In this case, either a laminotomy can be performed - the cutting of the spinal arches, or a discectomy - the removal of a part of the intervertebral disc or its complete removal with the installation of a graft. In clinics equipped with modern equipment, surgical operations are performed with minimal trauma through small incisions.