Osteochondrosis is the aging process of the spine and surrounding tissues. Experts replace osteochondrosis with a more precise term - "degenerative-dystrophic changes. "With age, such changes occur in each person's spine to varying degrees.
At an early stage, osteochondrosis almost does not manifest itself at all. Back pain means that changes in the spine have already begun and are progressing. In the article we will talk about osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptoms and treatment.
Due to its stability, the thoracic region suffers less often than the cervical and lumbar regions. Women are more susceptible to thoracic osteochondrosis. Those at risk are those who spend a lot of time sitting. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine occur in 30% of people after 35 years of age, and in 50–90% of older people.
In order not to waste time and avoid the consequences of osteochondrosis, it is important to consult a competent doctor at the first symptoms.
How the spine ages: the mechanism of development of osteochondrosis
The vertebral bodies are separated from each other by intervertebral discs. The intervertebral disc consists of a nucleus, which is located in the center, and a fibrous ring at the periphery. As we age, the discs receive less oxygen and nutrients, and the cartilage tissue gradually breaks down. Discs lose firmness and elasticity. This is how osteochondrosis begins; with an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle, it progresses and leads to complications. Cracks appear on the surface of the fibrous ring, and the nucleus pulposus protrudes through them - protrusion and hernia develop. The damage process involves the vertebrae, ligaments, intercostal nerves, muscles and fascia. There is pain in the back, crunching when moving the body, intervertebral joints lose mobility.
Stages of spinal osteochondrosis and its complications
- First stage
The intervertebral disc produces less collagen and decreases water concentration. It becomes flatter. Cracks begin to form on its surface. Discomfort and fatigue appear in the back. X-rays usually show no changes initially.
- Second stage
The surface of the disc cracks, the nucleus moves away from the center, and the annulus fibrosus loses its elasticity. This leads to disc protrusion: it protrudes into the spinal canal in the form of a cone and puts pressure on the paravertebral ligaments. Moderate pain occurs. The surrounding muscles are constantly tense and limit the range of motion in the thoracic region. On the x-ray you can see how the height of the intervertebral space has decreased.
- Third stage
Through the fissure of the fibrous ring, the nucleus or part of it emerges into the lumen of the spinal canal. The vertebrae come closer to each other, and osteophytes—bone outgrowths—appear on their bodies. Osteophytes limit mobility and increase the surface area of the vertebrae so that the load is distributed more evenly. The spinal roots are affected, causing back pain to intensify and spread along the ribs. The x-ray shows osteophytes and a sharp decrease in the intervertebral space.
- Fourth stage
At this stage, the back hurts severely and constantly. Posture changes, and it is difficult for a person to perform normal actions. The psycho-emotional sphere suffers. The x-ray shows a deformed spine.
Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis
The main cause of osteochondrosis is degenerative-dystrophic changes that occur in the spine with age. There are many factors and diseases that influence the development of osteochondrosis:
- sedentary lifestyle
- overweight
- frequent hypothermia
- bad habits
- improper lifting of weights
- uneven load on one shoulder when carrying heavy objects
- hereditary predisposition
- flat feet
- pregnancy
- breast-feeding
- spinal deformity, poor posture - scoliosis, kyphosis
- metabolic disorders in endocrine diseases - diabetes mellitus, gout, thyroid pathology
- autoimmune diseases - systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis
- walking in high heels
- back injuries
Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine in women and men
The clinical picture of osteochondrosis consists of the following syndromes: pain, muscle-tonic, radicular and sometimes facet.
- Pain syndrome
Protrusions, hernias and osteophytes put pressure on the paravertebral ligaments, and pain occurs. In the initial stages of osteochondrosis, it appears only after heavy lifting or physical activity and goes away with rest. As the disease progresses, pain occurs even without exercise.
- Muscular-tonic syndrome
A persistent muscle spasm occurs in response to pain. Muscles often spasm throughout the spine, so pain occurs not only in the chest, but also in the neck and lower back.
- Radicular syndrome
Protrusions and hernias can compress the nerve root, causing pain and burning along the ribs. The pain often occurs at night and intensifies with exercise.
- Facet syndrome
It develops with arthrosis of small joints between the vertebral arches. With this syndrome, the back hurts in the thoracic region. The pain can last for years and cause limited mobility.
A characteristic sign of thoracic osteochondrosis is pain between the shoulder blades. It intensifies when a person turns, bends, straightens or rounds his back. Pain can be acute or chronic:
- Acute pain occurs suddenly, after a sudden movement or turn. The attack is short-lived: it usually goes away after changing body position, but sometimes it drags on for several days.
- Chronic pain lasts for 12 weeks. A person cannot stand for a long time; it hurts to get up after sitting for a long time.
Other manifestations of osteochondrosis include:
- pain, burning, feeling of constriction in the chest
- pain behind the sternum, in the center of the chest, it can radiate to the collarbones, neck, ribs, arms, simulating heart pathology
- constant crunching in the back when moving
- shortness of breath due to pain when inhaling and exhaling deeply
- difficulty moving the spine
- back muscle weakness
- depression, depression due to chronic pain
- feeling of a lump in the chest
Differential diagnosis is carried out with pathology of the lungs, cardiovascular system, mammary glands, exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
At the first episodes of back pain, it is better to contact a neurologist. The doctor will establish the correct diagnosis, rule out similar diseases and find out why osteochondrosis develops.
At the initial appointment, the doctor collects an anamnesis: asks the patient to talk about complaints, medications he is taking, hereditary and chronic diseases, injuries, operations, and working conditions. In women, the neurologist learns about pregnancy and breastfeeding periods.
During the examination, the doctor pays attention to the patient’s appearance: posture, weight-to-height ratio, body proportionality. Checks neurological status: muscle strength, sensitivity in the limbs, tendon reflexes, range of motion in the spine. The doctor also evaluates pain using special scales.
Instrumental diagnostic methods help to establish a diagnosis:
- Radiography. This is a simple study that reveals curvature of the spine, fractures and dislocations of the vertebrae, and narrowing of the intervertebral space.
- CT scan. This is a more informative method, showing pathology of the vertebrae and discs that is invisible on x-rays. Allows you to assess the degree of damage to the spine and monitor how treatment is progressing.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. It helps diagnose protrusions, herniated intervertebral discs, and pathology of the spinal nerve roots.
To exclude diseases of the heart and internal organs, the doctor may refer the patient to an abdominal ultrasound, gastroscopy, or ECG.
Treatment: what to do for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
You should not self-medicate, prescribe medications or procedures for yourself - this can lead to side effects and dangerous complications. The doctor must treat the patient and monitor the dynamics of his condition.
How long the therapy will last depends on the stage of the process and the main symptoms. For the conservative treatment of osteochondrosis, doctors use the following methods:
Drug therapy
Patients are prescribed the main groups of drugs:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - relieve pain, relieve inflammation and swelling of tissues.
- Muscle relaxants - relax muscles and reduce pain.
- Glucocorticoids - slow down the destruction of intervertebral discs and reduce inflammation. They are prescribed when NSAIDs and muscle relaxants do not help.
Physical therapy
The instructor selects exercises to strengthen the muscles of the thoracic region, correct posture and improve spinal mobility.
Different typesphysiotherapy. Apply:
- Magnetic therapy - improves tissue metabolism, reduces pain and swelling.
- Laser therapy - promotes nutrition and tissue restoration, eliminates inflammation.
- Shock wave therapy - destroys deposits of calcium salts on the vertebrae, accelerates the regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue.
Acupuncture
It stimulates blood circulation in the tissues in the area of the affected vertebrae, relaxes muscles, reduces pain and swelling.
Taping
Applying special adhesive tapes to the skin in the area of the sore area of the back. Tapes regulate muscle tone and correctly distribute the load.
Massage, manual therapy
As a complementary therapy to relax muscles and improve spinal mobility.
Doctors do everything possible to treat the patient conservatively. If available therapies do not help, the patient is referred for consultation to a neurosurgeon.
Complications: the dangers of thoracic osteochondrosis in men and women
If you contact specialists in a timely manner and lead a healthy lifestyle, changes in the spine can be stopped. If a patient consults a doctor in the final stages, then even adequate therapy does not always guarantee a good prognosis.
Osteochondrosis without treatment can lead to protrusion or herniation of the intervertebral disc, chronic pain in the back or other parts of the body, low mobility of the spine and its deformation.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
To prevent the development of osteochondrosis of the chest, neck and other parts, it is important to follow these rules:
- sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow
- When lifting weights, do not bend over, but squat so that the load falls on the hips
- carry a bag or backpack alternately on the left and right shoulder, so as not to load only one side
- avoid injury
- quit smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- drink enough water
- do a warm-up while sitting for a long time, play sports, swim, walk
- monitor body weight
- timely treatment of infectious and chronic diseases
- wear comfortable shoes
If you have back pain in the thoracic or other parts of the spine, do not put off the examination until later. Make an appointment with a neurologist. The doctor will conduct a full diagnosis and draw up a treatment plan. You will get rid of pain and maintain the health of your spine.