Thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease of the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine. The disease is quite rare. Chest osteochondrosis is similar in symptoms to other diseases and is difficult to diagnose. That is why it is called "chameleon disease".
How does thoracic spine osteochondrosis develop?
Thoracic osteochondrosis occurs due to violation of metabolic processes and increased load on the intervertebral discs. The intervertebral disc consists of the annulus fibrosus, which serves as the hard shell for the semi-fluid nucleus pulposus.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine disrupts the normal structure of the intervertebral disc. In the case of disease, the core dries out and loses its damping properties, and the fibrous ring becomes thinner and cracks. As a result, the roots of the spinal nerves are damaged and inflamed, causing pain. The disease destroys the intervertebral discs, joints and ligaments of the spine.
The general principle is always the same, but the factors that cause increased stress on the intervertebral discs can vary. This includes:
- prolonged effect of vibrations on the spine (for example, in drivers who often drive a vehicle);
- physical stress;
- physical inactivity, also known as sedentary lifestyle;
- smoking;
- overweight, obesity;
- individual anomalies in the structure of the spine;
- congenital manifestation of spinal canal narrowing;
- somatic or spondylogenic muscle pain;
- asymmetry of joint spaces in intervertebral joints;
- psychosocial factors.
Classification of thoracic osteochondrosis varieties
There are several types of osteochondrosisthoracic spine - symptoms and treatmentcan vary significantly.
The classification is carried out on the basis of which the nerve endings affect the damaged structures of the spine. It is common to distinguish the following types of pathology:
- Reflex. It is based on reflex muscle tension, as well as vascular or dystrophic disorders.
- Myoadaptive. It is also known as "overload".
- Compression. The most common cause of its development is deformation, tension or compression of a part of the spinal cord, nerve root or blood vessel, which leads to unwanted consequences.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
Thoracic osteochondrosis is less pronounced than other types of osteochondrosis. There are the following signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- chest pain that worsens at night, with a long stay in one position, cooling, turning, bending to the side, heavy physical exertion;
- pain between the shoulder blades, when raising the right or left arm, bending;
- increased pain on deep inhalation and exhalation;
- pain between the ribs while walking;
- feeling as if the chest and back were squeezed by a hoop.
The pain during the exacerbation of the disease can last for several weeks.
There are additional symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- numbness of some areas of the skin, a feeling of "skin hedgehogs";
- itching, tingling, feeling cold in the legs;
- peeling skin, brittle nails;
- sore throat and esophagus;
- gastrointestinal tract disorders.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by two symptoms - dorsago and dorsalgia.
Dorsago and dorsalgia - manifestations of the disease
Dorsago is a sharp sharp pain in the chest, "lumbago of the chest". It usually occurs after monotonous work in the same position. During an attack of such pain, it is difficult to breathe. The pain is intensified by the rotation of the upper body.
Dorsalgia - mild pain in the affected intervertebral discs, begins gradually and lasts up to 2-3 weeks. The pain is intensified by deep breathing and bending. The patient may be breathless. The pain worsens at night and disappears after a short walk.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the chest
Thoracic osteochondrosis most commonly occurs in people who:
- computer work;
- constantly driving;
- sustained spinal injuries;
- have weak back muscles;
- suffer from scoliosis and other posture disorders.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is less common than other types of disease - cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis. The reason is that this part of the spine is the least mobile and most protected thanks to the ribs and the muscular corset. There are more discs in the thoracic part than in the cervical and lumbar parts combined.
What is dangerous osteochondrosis of the chest
Without timely and proper treatment, thoracic osteochondrosis can cause the following diseases:
- bulge and hernia of the thoracic spine;
- spinal cord compression;
- problems with the heart, intestines, liver, kidneys and pancreas;
- duodenal disorders, intestinal motility, gallbladder dyskinesia;
- intercostal neuralgia - compression or irritation of the intercostal nerves.
Also, the consequences of this pathology include diseases of the stomach, esophagus, gallbladder, lungs. However, the heart is still at the highest risk for this disease, so if you have already had certain problems with it, we strongly recommend that you contact the clinic's specialists immediately and get it done as soon as possible. thoracic spine treatment.
What can be confused with osteochondrosis of the chest
The symptoms of thoracic spine osteochondrosis are varied, it is easy to confuse it with the following diseases:
- angina, heart attack. The difference: after taking heart medication, the chest pain does not disappear, the patient's cardiogram is normal;
- appendicitis, cholecystitis, renal colic;
- gastritis, ulcer, colitis;
- other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (including diverticulitis, chronic pancreatitis or irritable bowel syndrome);
- neoplastic processes;
- inflammatory processes;
- diseases of the genitourinary system (pyelonephritis or urolithiasis);
- mammary gland pathology;
- pneumonia. Pneumonia is distinguished from osteochondrosis by cough, shortness of breath and fever.
It is impossible to make a correct diagnosis on your own. Only a specialist can diagnose osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Methods of diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis
Specialists of the professional clinic will distinguish thoracic osteochondrosis from other diseases and make an accurate diagnosis using the following diagnostic methods:
- MRI. M. R. I
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Densitometry
- electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Daily ECG monitoring
- Comprehensive medical examination of the body (control)
- Bioimpedance analysis of the body as part of the "Smart Weight Loss" program.
- Laboratory research
Attreatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spineit can be supplemented with a foot or back massage. Also, conservative therapy with maintenance drugs with the use of anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs and analgesics is periodically prescribed. In some cases, the patient may be prescribed novocaine paravertebral block. Each case is individual, so the approach to each patient must be special in order for the therapy to be effective and for the problem not to be felt in the future.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic gives a versatile therapeutic effect:
- improves blood circulation and nutrition of intervertebral discs;
- stops the destruction of disks, restores their structure;
- relieves inflammation of nerve roots;
- relaxes tense back and chest muscles;
- restores spinal biomechanics;
- prevents complications in the form of bumps and hernias;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- strengthens the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle, respiratory muscles;
- corrects posture;
- stimulates the immune system.
After completing the course, the doctor will give you a manual with exercises that you must do yourself. Your doctor will advise you on how to adjust your lifestyle so that chest pain no longer bothers you.
Prevention
For disease prevention we recommend:
- lie down for 40-50 minutes during the day - it will relieve the spine;
- if you work a lot at the computer, change position, get up from a chair every 2 hours, make a few inclines in different directions, stretch, straighten your shoulders;
- engage in water sports: swimming, diving, water aerobics;
- don't catch a cold, keep your back warm;
- do the following exercise regularly: lying on your stomach, rest your hands on the floor and bend backwards. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds. Repeat the exercise 8-10 times.
It is also recommended to maintain a proper weight and give up bad habits (including smoking).
Diet for thoracic osteochondrosis
In osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, it is recommended to eat 5-6 times a day in small portions. Adhere to the following dietary principles:
- use jelly, jelly, fish jelly, jelly more often. They contain chondroprotectors involved in cartilage synthesis;
- Your diet should contain 1/3 of protein. They can be obtained from meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, soy, seeds, beans, nuts, eggplants;
- eat more fresh fruits and vegetables - cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, beets, primroses, cauliflower and white cabbage, peppers, broccoli, celery;
- cooked and steamed dishes, gray rye bread are welcome;
- osteochondrosis requires calcium. Contains dairy products, almonds, nettles, watercress, pomegranate;
- include sunflower seeds, nuts, avocados, raw spinach, bean pods in your diet - they are rich in magnesium;
- cook dishes of lobster, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, cereals - contain vitamin B;
- season salads with olive oil;
- it is recommended to eat whole grains of wheat, millet, corn, buckwheat, barley;
- limit the use of grapes and vegetables from the legume family, concentrated soups;
- eat less salty, smoked foods, flour products, sugar, hot spices.