Dorsalgia of the thoracic spine: what is this disease, causes, symptoms, treatment

Spinal diseases, which are accompanied by pain, are a common phenomenon among modern people. Discomfort can occur due to a passive lifestyle, excessive physical activity, and sports injuries. Pain syndrome does not allow normal movement and reduces the quality of life.

Not all patients who suffer from recurring back pain know what dorsalgia is. This is not a pathology, but a clinical syndrome, which is manifested by painful sensations of varying intensity. This disorder can occur in patients of any age and gender. To get rid of unpleasant sensations, you need to identify the disease that provoked dorsalgia, and then begin to treat it.

Basic information

Dorsalgia is a symptom of various ailments, which are characterized by curvature of the spine, destruction of cartilage or bone tissue, mechanical injuries, etc. Pain appears when nerve endings are pinched, inflammation develops, and physical damage to bones occurs. Moreover, the more intense the pain syndrome, the more damaged the nerve tissue is. If the nerves are located near the spinal column, then the likelihood of pinching the spinal cord increases, and this can lead to serious complications.

Reference. Dorsalgia of the thoracic spine is quite insidious, as it often has a gradual course. This is due to the fact that the thoracic segment is inactive, so the signs of the disorder are less pronounced. For this reason, patients seek medical help late, when the disease becomes chronic.

The main symptom of the syndrome is pain, other symptoms depend on the disease that provoked the disorder.

To diagnose dorsalgia, it is necessary to conduct instrumental as well as laboratory tests. Treatment tactics are drawn up after determining the cause of the disorder. Most often, conservative therapy is performed.

The code for dorsalgia in the international classification of diseases is M 54, and for a syndrome of unspecified origin is M 54.9.

Reference. Dorsopathy is a whole group of pathologies of the spinal column, surrounding muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues. Dorsalgia is one of the types of dorsopathies, which manifests itself as pain.

How does osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occur?

Thoracic osteochondrosis begins due to increased stress on the musculoskeletal system against the background of metabolic problems. The essence of the disease is the destruction and deformation of the intervertebral discs.

The disc is a kind of spacer between the vertebrae and consists of a fibrous ring, which serves as a hard shell for the semi-liquid nucleus pulposus. With osteochondrosis, the core dries out and loses its ability to absorb shock, and the fibrous ring becomes thinner and cracks. This leads to pinching of the spinal nerve roots, causing them to become inflamed and causing pain. The disease is dangerous because it destroys the intervertebral discs, joints and ligaments of the spine.

Causes

Back pain can appear for various reasons; for convenience, predisposing factors are divided into groups: 1. Pathologies of the spine:

Pain in the lumbar spine

osteomyelitis is a purulent-necrotic disease that affects bone, bone marrow, and surrounding tissues;
osteochondrosis, which is complicated by intervertebral hernia;
osteoporosis – decreased bone density, increased fragility;
spondylolisthesis – displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other.
curvature of the spinal column;
spondyloarthrosis is a pathology characterized by damage to all components of the bone joint, especially the cartilaginous lining;
tuberculosis of bone tissue - progressive destruction of bones;
protrusion – protrusion of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc without rupture of the outer shell;
spinal canal stenosis;
fractures and other bone injuries.

One of the causes of dorsalgia is osteoporosis, which increases bone fragility

Reference. Spondylogenic dorsalgia is usually diagnosed with degenerative disorders of the spine.

2. Muscle disease:

fibromyalgia – musculoskeletal pain;
Crick;
inflammation of skeletal muscles;
involuntary muscle contraction.

3. Other reasons:

bleeding of the pelvic organs;
purulent hematomas in the retroperitoneal space;
diseases of the digestive organs, kidneys;
dissecting aortic aneurysm - rupture of the largest artery and its further dissection with escaping blood;
shingles;
rheumatological diseases.

Important. The likelihood of dorsalgia increases with massive injuries, lifting heavy objects, prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position, and frequent hypothermia. In women, the disorder may appear during pregnancy or menstruation. Dorsalgia often occurs in patients with psychological disorders (frequent depression, anxiety).

Stages (brief description)

The first is that the processes are concentrated in the area of the spinal disc. At this stage, the disease is difficult to diagnose. Symptoms of lumbar spine dorsopathy include a slight discomfort, which most people do not pay attention to.
The second is that inflammation affects the bone base of the joints, spinal column and vertebrae. As a result, the fibrous ring is destroyed, the position of the vertebrae is disrupted, and they become pathologically mobile. Lumbar dorsopathy is accompanied by a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae, nerves are compressed, blood vessels are pinched, and pain increases.
Third, under stress, the fibrous ring can rupture, a hernia is formed, which puts pressure on the nerve endings, and the person experiences severe pain. The stage is often accompanied by kyphosis of the spine (bending backward) or lordosis (bending forward).
Fourth – the vertebrae become denser and shift, causing spasms of the surrounding muscles.

Types of syndrome

Doctors distinguish several forms of dorsalgia syndrome:

1. At the location of pain:

cervicalgia – painful sensations appear in the cervical spine;
lumbodynia – discomfort is localized in the lumbar segment;
Thoracalgia – pain appears in the thoracic area.

Most often, painful sensations occur in the lumbar region

Reference. Pain in the lumbosacral region is diagnosed more often than other forms of the syndrome.

2. According to the duration of painful sensations:

acute – pain does not disappear within 6 weeks. This form of dorsalgia is easier to treat;
chronic – Discomfort does not disappear for 3 months or more. This form of disorder threatens with loss of ability to work and disability.

3. By etiology:

vertebrogenic – pain occurs due to injuries, as well as diseases of the spine;
nonvertebrogenic – pain syndrome is associated with somatic diseases or psychogenic disorders.

It is important to determine the form of dorsalgia in order to develop treatment tactics.

Thoracic osteochondrosis: symptoms, sensation, factors in the formation of the disease

Let's take a closer look at the symptoms and treatment methods for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. Most often, the formation of the disease in the thoracic region is caused by insufficient load on the muscles (physical inactivity), which causes excessive stress on the discs between the vertebrae.

The formation of osteochondrosis in the chest can begin under the influence of the following factors:

bad habits;
scoliosis and poor posture;
genetic predisposition;
sedentary lifestyle;
frequent significant physical activity;
history of spinal injuries;
great stress and psychological stress.

The functions of the discs between the vertebrae in the sternum are equally negatively affected by increased physical activity and lack of movement.

Symptoms

The main symptom of dorsalgia is back pain, which can be constant, paroxysmal, aching, or sharp. Regardless of the nature, pain discomfort increases with physical activity.

As mentioned above, dorsalgia is provoked by various diseases, so its manifestations also differ in each individual case.

The main symptom of dorsalgia is pain in one of the parts of the spine

Symptoms of dorsalgia caused by rheumatological pathologies:

pain occurs in the lumbar region;
pain spreads to the buttocks, thighs;
when the body is at rest for a long time, the discomfort intensifies;
bilateral spinal column injury.

If the pain is caused by infections, then dorsalgia manifests itself with the following symptoms:

sharp pain along the entire length of the spine;
pain is localized in the lower back, buttocks, legs;
The skin on the affected area turns red and swells.

Clinical manifestations of the disorder arising from muscle diseases:

pain syndrome spreads along the left or right side of the torso;
discomfort becomes more pronounced with acclimatization or stress;
painful points appear in different parts of the body, which can be found by accidentally pressing them;
muscles weaken.

Symptoms of dorsalgia against the background of osteochondrosis and spondyloarthrosis:

pain increases when the patient turns or bends over;
unpleasant sensations appear when a person does not change position for a long time;
there is a feeling of numbness, tingling in the upper or lower extremities;
muscle tone decreases;
the patient suffers from frequent headaches and vertigo (dizzy);
hearing and vision disorders appear;
long-term and persistent muscle tension occurs, painful compactions (trigger points) form in them;
the mobility of the spine is impaired.

Reference. In case of kidney damage, dorsalgia is manifested by pain in the lower abdomen, frequent urination, in diseases of the digestive organs - girdle pain, in case of lung pathologies - pain in the chest and shoulder blades.

Most often, the discomfort goes away with treatment at home. The following symptoms indicate a serious medical problem:

the pain syndrome does not stop within 3 days;
the patient does not control urination and defecation;
the pain appeared after a fall from a height or a direct blow;
severe pain does not disappear even at night;
sensitivity in the lower extremities decreases;
discomfort is accompanied by rapid weight loss;
swelling appeared on the back.

You should urgently seek medical help if pain first occurred after age 50, you have previously been treated for cancer, taken steroids, or you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Establishing diagnosis

If symptoms of dorsalgia appear, you should consult a neurologist. First, the specialist analyzes the medical history to find out the cause of the pathology. Then a visual examination is carried out, the doctor palpates the spinal column to describe the status of the localis (the location and area of the lesion), and evaluates the amplitude of its movements. To do this, he conducts a test on the patient's ability to sit, stand, move, and raise his legs. A special hammer is used to test reflexes. Then he asks the patient about his sensations in order to identify the nature of the pain and other symptoms, as well as the degree of their severity.

To clarify the diagnosis, the neurologist prescribes hardware tests:

X-rays can detect pathological changes in the structural elements of the spine;
Electroneuromyography is used to assess muscle condition;
Ultrasound densitometry helps determine the degree of mineralization of bone tissue;
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging allow a detailed examination of the spine. These techniques are used to evaluate bone tissue, intervertebral discs, muscles, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels;
Skeletal scintigraphy is performed using radiopharmaceuticals. This diagnostic method allows you to identify the location of the pathology (for example, lumbar dorsalgia).

If a neurologist suspects that the syndrome was provoked by some other disease that is not within his competence, then he refers the patient for a consultation with a vertebrologist, rheumatologist or orthopedist.

Diagnostics

Before starting treatment for osteochondrosis in the chest, a comprehensive diagnosis of the patient is carried out. It includes:

Visual examination and questioning of the patient. If the disease has reached stage 2-3, noticeable deformation of the skeleton occurs. The doctor must collect anamnesis to exclude or confirm hereditary factors that can provoke the occurrence of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Laboratory testing of blood and urine.
X-ray examination to determine the presence and size of osteophytes and the height or contours of the intervertebral discs. X-rays also allow us to determine the size and location of the hernia, and changes in disc shape.
Carrying out discography allows you to determine the outlines of the nucleus pulposus. This procedure is carried out with the introduction of a contrast agent.
Computed tomography is used in rare cases, since the diagnosis is characterized by strong radiation that negatively affects the patient.
An ECG is done to exclude or confirm the presence of cardiac ischemia.

Timely diagnostic measures allow for effective treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.

Treatment methods

To get rid of pain, you need to eliminate the underlying disease.

Traction traction of the spine for dorsalgia caused by intervertebral hernia

Treatment of the spine should be comprehensive; for this, the following actions and techniques are used:

Complete peace. Immediately after discomfort occurs, the patient should remain in bed most of the time. It is advisable to follow this rule for 2 to 5 days.
To relieve the load on the spine, it is recommended to wear a special corset.
Traction of the spine in a vertical position is an effective and gentle method of getting rid of many problems, for example, intervertebral hernia. With its help, it is possible to slow down further destruction of the discs and improve their trophism (nutrition).
Therapeutic exercises are carried out only after the pain has subsided.
Massage normalizes muscle tone and improves local metabolic processes.
Effective alternative methods of treating dorsalgia include treatment with leeches and reflexology.
To eliminate pain and inflammation, NSAIDs are used in the form of tablets, injections, and ointments. Muscle relaxants will help relax spasmodic muscles and eliminate acute pain.

Surgical treatment is performed extremely rarely. Doctors decide to perform surgery if the pain caused by cervical, thoracic or lumbar dorsalgia is not relieved by conservative methods for a long time. Warning signs include pain and numbness of the lower extremities, further weakening of muscles, etc.

However, doctors do not guarantee that the discomfort will go away after the operation. If an intervention is performed to remove a vertebral hernia, then patients need to know that there is a risk of its recurrence.

Reference. The need for surgical intervention appears in cases of bone tissue infections, cancer, and intervertebral hernias.

The operation must be performed for osteomyelitis; during the procedure, the surgeon opens the vertebral body to remove the abscess and dead tissue.

Preventive measures

To avoid such an unpleasant and dangerous disorder as dorsalgia, you need to follow the following recommendations:

accustom yourself to sit with a straight back, if necessary, lean on the back of a chair, but do not hunch over;
treat diseases that can cause back pain in a timely manner;
for sedentary work, buy a chair with an orthopedic back;
purchase an orthopedic mattress, low pillows;
avoid excessive physical activity;
control your weight, try to keep it normal (you can’t quickly gain weight or lose weight);
undergo a medical examination at least once every six months.

By following these recommendations, the patient will be able to avoid dorsalgia and maintain spinal health.

The most important

Dorsalgia is not a deadly disease, but it requires competent comprehensive treatment. If pain, numbness, limited mobility or other suspicious symptoms occur, consult a doctor. To get rid of discomfort, you need to eliminate its main cause. Typically, conservative methods are used for treatment. The operation is prescribed only for severe pain that is not relieved by medications, or numbness of the limbs. To avoid dorsalgia, try to monitor your posture, use orthopedic furniture, bedding, control your weight, and promptly treat diseases that are accompanied by back pain.