Recently, doctors are increasingly receiving complaints about back pain, and young women often experience it. If the discomfort is localized in the thoracic spine, then it can be caused by a disease such as thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are described in detail below.
Thoracic osteochondrosis - causes
Osteochondrosis of the spine is a pathology in which negative modifications occur in the tissue of the intervertebral disc - the element of the spine located between two vertebral bodies. The intervertebral disc is a flat circular pad consisting of a gel-like collagen core, fibrous connective tissue and vitreous. The main functions provided by this structure are:
- connection and maintenance of adjacent vertebral bodies;
- shock-absorbing protection of the spine, protecting against injuries due to body gravity and loads;
- ensures mobility of adjacent vertebrae relative to each other.
If the intervertebral disc is in a satisfactory functional state, the spine is provided with elasticity, mobility, and the ability to withstand various mechanical loads. When the cartilage structure changes shape, texture, loses strength and elasticity, this function cannot be fully performed. Basically, this occurs against the background of metabolic disorders.
In part, the pathological changes in the intervertebral discs that cause thoracic osteochondrosis are explained by the fact that with age their nutrition through their own blood vessels stops, and the supply of nutrients becomes possible only due to neighboring structures (ligaments, vertebral bodies). The exact cause of poor nutrition of the intervertebral structure and the mechanism of its destruction are unknown, but doctors have identified several predisposing factors:
- systemic metabolic disorders in the body;
- excess weight;
- poor nutrition, drinking regime;
- Not active;
- sedentary work;
- poor posture;
- Flat feet;
- injury to the back, spine;
- physical labor training or intense sports;
- pregnancy;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes, high heels.
Stages of thoracic osteochondrosis
Diseases such as thoracic osteochondrosis do not show symptoms immediately, because they develop 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 at a later stage, with the presence of significant pathological changes. In total, four degrees of pathology are distinguished, depending on the developed deviation.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 1 degree
The preclinical stage is grade 1 osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. At this stage, partial dehydration and compaction of the middle part of the intervertebral discs occurs, their height decreases, which leads to a decrease in their elasticity and firmness. The ability of the spine to withstand normal loads is still preserved. A disc bulge begins to form.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 2 degrees
When grade 2 thoracic osteochondrosis develops, the disease is characterized by the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring. Disc subsidence (thinning) continues, the amount of intervertebral fluid decreases significantly, and the vertebrae begin to rub against each other as the load on the back increases. This stage is sometimes called discogenic radiculitis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 3 degrees
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine of the 3rd degree is accompanied by destruction and rupture of the fibrous tissue of the disc, detachment of the core, i. e. the formation of intervertebral disc herniation occurs. As a result, nerve roots begin to be pinched, nearby vessels are compressed, and veins and arteries are pinched.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 4 degrees
The last, most severe stage of the disease is characterized by displacement, twisting, deformation of the vertebral body, further increase in their area, and proliferation. The affected fibrous disc tissue begins to be replaced by bone tissue in the form of a specific growth - 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 uniqueness of the localization of the pathological process, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has both typical and atypical symptoms, repeating the manifestations of other diseases. This is due to the fact that due to the compression of blood vessels and nerve fibers, structural changes in the spinal column, the function of nearby internal organs is disturbed.
Let's list the characteristic and most common symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- pain in the back and chest;
- tightness in the chest;
- tingling sensation in the limbs;
- numbness in arms, legs, neck, shoulders;
- stiffness, pain in the back and limbs;
- muscle spasms in the upper and middle back;
- limited mobility of the spine in this area (difficulty bending the body).
Pain due to osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
When diagnosed with "thoracic osteochondrosis, " symptoms related to pain are of concern among other complaints. Their intensity and duration depend on the stage of the pathological process. The localization of pain can change periodically quickly, for example, moving from one area of the chest to another, covering the entire chest. Pain is often felt in the area between the shoulder blades. The nature of pain in thoracic osteochondrosis is dull, compressive, sharp. Increased pain is observed at night and with:
- raise your hand;
- neck turns;
- carry heavy objects;
- sudden movements;
- increased physical activity;
- strong breathing, coughing, sneezing;
- hypothermia.
Can there be shortness of breath with thoracic osteochondrosis?
Due to displacement of the vertebral bodies, pathological changes in the chest structure, pinching of nerve fibers and blood vessels related to the lungs, shortness of breath often occurs with thoracic osteochondrosis. In addition, because in the thoracic region there are structures responsible for the preservation of the heart, intestines, liver, kidneys, and several other organs; This disease in many cases is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- headache;
- pain in the heart area;
- pain in the mammary gland;
- pain in the hypochondrium (similar in appearance to pancreatitis, cholecystitis);
- epigastric pain not associated with eating;
- discomfort in the pharynx, esophagus, foreign body sensation;
- sexual dysfunction.
Pain in the heart with thoracic osteochondrosis, often pressing, squeezing, can be confusing when making a diagnosis, because it is similar to the manifestations of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction. A feature of this sensation is its long duration and lack of effect when taking drugs to dilate the heart vessels. There were no changes in the cardiogram.
Syndrome with thoracic osteochondrosis
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in women, which are associated with one mechanism of occurrence, are present in many cases in a complex way. There are two syndromes with a set of specific pathological conditions caused by thoracic osteochondrosis:
- dorsalgia;
- dorsago.
Dorsalgia of the thoracic spine
Prolonged pain, not so pronounced with thoracic osteochondrosis in women, often characterized as pain, pulling, is inherent in dorsalgia. Complaints may occur for 2-3 weeks, with discomfort either decreasing slightly (especially when walking) or intensifying (often at night, when bending over, or breathing deeply). With the presence of this syndrome, thoracic osteochondrosis may also have symptoms related to breathing difficulties and muscle spasms.
Dorsago thoracic spine
The paroxysmal manifestation of this disease is called "dorsago" or "thoracic lumbago. "In this case, the pain appears suddenly, acutely, often resembling the signs of a heart attack. An attack of thoracic osteochondrosis has the following symptoms:
- sharp pain like a dagger;
- pain is felt in the area between the ribs, interscapular area;
- often attacks appear after a long stay in one position;
- pain increases when twisting the trunk;
- there is difficulty breathing, severe muscle tension.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - consequences
If pathological treatment is not started in time, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region may have the following consequences:
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- migraine;
- internal organ dysfunction (liver, kidney, etc. );
- decreased hearing, vision;
- elbow joint epicondylitis;
- paresis and paralysis of arms;
- rachiocampsis;
- loss of skin tissue sensitivity;
- disability, etc.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
If symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis appear, it is recommended to consult a neurologist, who, after examining the back and examining the spine in several positions of the patient, will be able to make the main diagnosis. To determine the extent of damage, X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography are prescribed. Treatment tactics depend on the results obtained.
Often, the painful symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine are eliminated by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In case of exacerbation, accompanied by severe pain, paravertebral blockade with anesthetic solution can be performed. In addition, the following drugs may be prescribed as part of conservative therapy:
- muscle relaxants;
- chondroprotector;
- corticosteroids, etc.
To improve metabolic processes, eliminate muscle hypertonicity, and prevent various complications, the following treatment methods are used:
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- traction of the spinal column;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (laser, ultrasound, etc. ).
Surgical treatment is required if there is compression of the spinal cord by intervertebral disc fragments. In this case, either a laminotomy can be performed - the cutting of the vertebral arch, or a discectomy - the partial removal of the intervertebral disc or its complete removal with the installation of a graft. In clinics with modern equipment, surgical procedures are performed using low-traumatic methods through small incisions.