The most common cause of pain in the upper and middle back is cervicothoracic osteochondrosis. And while this slowly evolving pathology is not fatal, it significantly worsens a person’s quality of life, and in some cases can lead to disability. And only the maximum possible elimination of the factors that lead to uneven stress on the movement segments of the spine can slow down the process of irreversible biological aging and thus alleviate the condition.
Causes of degenerative lesions of the spine
Osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region is a multifactorial pathology of the intervertebral disc connecting the 7 cervix and 12 thoracic vertebrae. The most common causes of degenerative changes are:
- gravity (displacement of the center of gravity and redistribution of axial load)
- prolonged work in a forced situation
- vibration
- hypodynamics
- autoimmune diseases
- spinal load associated with pathology of the musculoskeletal system (deformity, flat feet)
- infectious and inflammatory processes in nearby structures
- metabolic disorders
- hereditary anomalies in connective tissue development
- traumatic injury
- excessive static or dynamic loads
- hormonal imbalance
To trigger the exacerbation of osteochondrosis in men and women can be stress, prolonged nervous tension, malnutrition, hypothermia.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine
The degenerative process in the affected intervertebral disc is accompanied by local pain syndrome and referred pain. Due to the violation of blood supply to the brain, patients complain of cephalgia, dizziness, "flies" before the eyes, pain in the shoulder or the entire upper limb, in the intercostal and interscapular areas. There is discomfort, tingling in the neck, chest, abdomen, periodic painful throbbing in the ears or temples, pain when coughing and sneezing.
After a long stay in a forced position, a feeling of squeezing appeared. Often, cervicothoracic osteochondrosis occurs with typical cardiac symptoms, which greatly complicate the diagnosis. Among the additional signs, a person should highlight numbness of certain areas on the skin, disorders of the digestive tract, increased pain with deep breathing, shortness of breath in the supine position.
The degree of osteochondrosis
The pathological process has 4 stages of development:
I - swelling and movement of pulp material in the disc, irritation of the peripheral nerve endings. Cervical and thoracic lumbago occur against a background of physical activity
II - fracture of the fibrous ring, violation of the fixation between the vertebral bodies, instability of the vertebral segments. Accompanied by constant muscle tension, functional restriction, limitation of mobility
III - rupture of the disc membrane and protrusion of the nucleus pulposus (hernia). Neurological syndrome of root compression is manifested by reflex prolapse, weakness, atrophy, disturbances of sensitivity in the zone of innervation II - fracture of the fibrous ring, impaired fixation between the vertebral bodies, instability of vertebral segments. Accompanied by constant muscle tension, functional restriction, limitation of mobility
IV - degenerative lesions of all components of the intervertebral symphysis. Due to mineralization and compaction of the disc, facet joint arthrosis develops and mobility in the affected area is significantly limited.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis of vertebrogenic pathology is carried out in a complex, including:
- collection of important anamnesis and pathology
- physical examination in a static position
- diagnostic tests (study of active and passive movement disorders)
- determination of neurological status
- Radiograph of two common projections of the spine
- CT
- MRI
In professional clinics, when diagnosing various dorsopathies, magnetic resonance imaging is performed in combination with manual testing. The combined use of these methods provides complete information on the localization of discogenic disorders, the structure and metabolic activity of cells, the state of all soft tissue components.
Which doctor to contact
A neurologist manages patients with vertebrogenic disorders. In addition, you may need the help of a chiropractor, a spine surgeon.
How to treat cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine includes:
- medicine for pain, swelling and inflammation
- manual therapy
- massage and self -massage;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (UVI, electrophoresis, laser-, magnetotherapy, DDT)
- reflexology
- physiotherapy training
- corset, recording
- post -isometric relaxation
If osteochondrosis is complicated by an intervertebral hernia, surgical operation is recommended for the patient.
Effect
Indifference to one's health and neglect of medical recommendations can lead to the active development of pathological processes and the development of various reflex and compression syndromes:
- cervicocranialgia and chronic thoracalgia (headache arising from the cervical-occipital region, pain in the thoracic region)
- limiting the tilt of the head in the direction opposite to the lesion
- vegetative disorders of the upper body
- sensation problems in the hands and fingers
- dysfunction of internal organs
- partial immobilization of the spine
- disability
Prevention of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
To minimize the impact of negative factors, it is recommended to regularly perform exercises aimed at strengthening the muscular skeleton. It is very important during long -term tedious work to monitor posture, change body position more frequently, avoid large amplitude movements, and protect yourself from hypothermia and drafts.