Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Osteochondrosis, as the most common disease of the spine, today occurs in people of completely different ages, although not so long ago it was considered an exclusively age-related disease. It is characterized by the occurrence of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, which leads to pain and creates the preconditions for the formation of protrusions and intervertebral hernias. The disease can affect any part of the spine, although osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is extremely rare. This causes significant difficulties with its diagnosis, because the symptoms of the disease mimic pathologies of the cardiovascular system. However, if a diagnosis is made, it is important to immediately begin treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis. Otherwise, it can cause extremely serious complications and loss of performance.

Expert opinion of a doctor

“Since there are quite a lot of nerve endings in the intervertebral discs, any changes in its structure lead to the transmission of corresponding signals to the brain, resulting in the appearance of pain in the affected area.”

Gritsenko Konstantin Anatolievich

Neurologist, chiropractor, vertebroneurologist

Experience: 29 years

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What is thoracic osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a regenerative (destructive) process localized in the interval from 8 to 19 vertebrae, which forms the human thoracic spine.

Unlike other types of the disease, symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis can occur in both young and elderly people.

A feature of the disease is the difficulty of its early diagnosis, which is associated with low mobility of the spine and the difficulty of identifying the main symptoms. For this reason, it is important to promptly consult a specialist when detecting the first signs of thoracic osteochondrosis in order to prevent irreversible processes.

Diagnostics

Thoracic osteochondrosis in women should be diagnosed only by an experienced doctor, preferably a neurologist

or
an orthopedist
, since the symptoms of the disease are so varied that ordinary therapists often mistake them for signs characteristic of other pathologies and treat them for something completely different.
It will be better if the specialist you choose regularly improves his competence in the field of diagnosing and treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Such doctors work at the Energo clinic, where you can make an appointment on any day convenient for you. Our employee will conduct diagnostic measures, which include examination, collection of test results, and hardware examination of the spine ( X-ray
or
MRI
).

Causes

The main cause of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is the occurrence of dystrophic processes (disorders of cellular metabolism) that transform tissues and provoke complications of metabolic actions, which is caused by an insufficiently balanced diet and improper load on the intervertebral discs.

In addition, the list of factors that increase the risk of developing thoracic osteochondrosis includes:

the presence of intervertebral hernias;
impaired blood supply to the spinal cord;
disturbance of mineral balance in the body;
regularly increased loads on the spine;
predominantly sedentary lifestyle;
consequences of previous injuries;
engaging in active sports.

Complications

When establishing a diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis, one should take into account a possible cascade of probable organ pathologies that develop over time.

Damage to the cardiovascular system: persistent pain leads to destabilization of the ion exchange of the myocardial muscle, which is a prerequisite for the development of coronary heart disease.
Disorders of the functioning of the abdominal organs: stomach, duodenum, pancreas. This is due to the high secretion of adrenaline during persistent pain, which leads to increased secretion of VIP (vasointestinal peptides).
Dyskinesia of the gallbladder is due to an increase in the lithogenicity of bile against the background of a chronic inflammatory process.

With regular adherence to the principles of therapy, the exercise therapy system, maintaining posture and eliminating risk factors, the course of the disease is reduced to regression. The prognosis is considered favorable if the pathology does not develop further and the disease does not actively manifest itself.

The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region

Chest pain with osteochondrosis is the main symptom of the clinical picture. However, considering the general symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, we can also highlight:

difficulty breathing, chest tightness;
difficulty in bending;
periodic occurrence of a feeling of freezing of the extremities due to circulatory failure;
brittle nails and hair;
nausea, digestive disorders;
pain that is easily confused with that that accompanies cardiovascular diseases;
soreness of the mammary glands in women;
discomfort and difficulty swallowing, cough.

The manifestation of several symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis requires immediate consultation and a full examination by a specialist in order to make an accurate diagnosis and determine a treatment plan for thoracic osteochondrosis.

Stages of disease development

Experts distinguish three main stages of development of thoracic osteochondrosis:

Stage 1 – the beginning of the development of the disease. Characterized by the absence of clinical manifestations.

Signs of stage 1 thoracic osteochondrosis:

barely perceptible, slight painful lumbago, accompanied by a nagging pain in the chest. Unpleasant sensations intensify after strenuous work or heavy lifting;
muscle spasms, constant tone of the muscle frame for no apparent reason;
discomfort in the heart area.

Seeing a doctor at the initial stage of the disease guarantees a complete cure of the disease.

Stage 2 – the progression of the disease leads to the formation of microcracks in the intervertebral discs, which causes limited mobility and the appearance of severe pain.

Clinical manifestations include:

visually noticeable deformation of the spinal column;
decrease in pressure;
accompaniment of an attempt to place the hand behind the head with palpable pain in the sternum;
chronic feeling of fatigue;
discomfort in the area of the heart and spinal column of the thoracic region.

If the disease is detected at this stage, the process of restoring health may require a fairly long period of time.

Stage 3 is an advanced process that has a negative impact on the entire body as a whole.

Dangerous manifestations such as:

limited mobility of the spine;
sharp pain;
the appearance of intervertebral hernias;
pinching of blood vessels and nerve roots;
diseases of the biliary tract.

Refusal to treat thoracic osteochondrosis at this stage can lead to disability.

Stages of disc degeneration

The progression of disc degeneration can be classified into the following stages:

Dysfunction

Possible tears in the area of the fibrous ring of the disc, with irritation of the facet joints at the corresponding level of the spine.
Loss of joint mobility, local back pain, muscle spasm and restrictions in trunk mobility, especially extension.

Instability

Loss of fluid from the disc with dehydration and decreased disc height. Weakness of the facet joints and capsules may develop, leading to instability.
The patient will experience shooting pain, straightening of the spine and a sharp decrease in the range of motion in the torso.

Restabilization

The human body responds to instability by forming additional bone formations in the form of osteophytes, which, to a certain extent, stabilize the spine. But excess bone formation can lead to spinal stenosis.
Back pain usually decreases but remains less intense. Some people may develop stenosis-like symptoms.

How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?

Before determining how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, it is important to visit a specialist. Diagnosis of the disease should be carried out only by a specialist. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is determined by a neurologist after a high-quality examination.

The key rule for starting treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis is getting rid of pain. Today, there are several optimal treatment options. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is used in medical practice quite often, both at the acute stage and after it, in order to achieve long-term remission of the disease.

For osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, physiotherapy methods are used such as:

medicinal electrophoresis - the combined effect of direct current and drugs;
UHF therapy – exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic fields;
Magnetic therapy is an alternative medicine that involves the use of a constant or alternating magnetic field;
phonophoresis of drugs - administration of drugs under the influence of ultrasound;
detensor therapy – relaxation of the muscular frame of the spine using a specialized mattress/mat.

It is important to note that when prescribing physiotherapeutic methods for treating a degenerative disease, the stage of its development is taken into account. Inappropriate use of physiotherapeutic treatment can aggravate the situation and exclude the possibility of long-term remission.

Massage for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region

Massage is one of the most effective methods of non-drug treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.

Providing a reflex massage effect provides a positive effect on the affected area of the spinal column, which provokes a positive dynamics of treatment.

Unlike other parts of the spine, the thoracic spine requires a special approach when massaged. The muscle fibers of this zone have a special threshold of action.

The positive effects of massage procedures are manifested in:

reducing the level of pain;
improving blood circulation at the location of the disease;
eliminating muscle spasms;
increasing arm muscle strength;
increasing the mobility of the spinal column and launching regenerative processes of cartilage tissue.

Among the basic principles of thoracic massage it is worth highlighting:

the beginning of the session should be carried out with light strokes, which will ensure blood flow and reduce pain;
during the massage it is recommended to use squeezing movements, rubbing and patting;
each movement must be repeated 4-5 times;
movements should be carried out along a single trajectory: from the shoulder blades to the neck, upward;
each side of the thoracic region should be treated separately.

Exercise therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis

Physical therapy (therapeutic physical education) classes provide the opportunity to provide high-quality support for the optimal tone of the muscular frame of the back and help relieve soreness of the paravertebral muscles.

Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is most effective in the initial stages of the development of the disease.

When doing gymnastics, it is important to consider and adhere to the basic rules for performing exercises for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, including:

systematic repetition over several months;
the duration of the lesson should not exceed half an hour;
gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis should be performed without the use of additional equipment;
You should only exercise in comfortable clothes and shoes;
taking into account existing contraindications.

Absolute contraindications include:

acute cardiac pathologies;
increased body temperature (more than 37.6°C);
oncological diseases;
mental instability;
dermatological diseases;
high blood pressure.

Consultation with a neurologist in combination with a reasonable, competent approach to exercise ensures the successful achievement of remission at various stages of the disease.

Dorsagia and Dorsago

Against the background of thoracic osteochondrosis, one can often notice the formation of vertebral syndromes: dorsalgia and dorsago.

Dorsago is the instant formation of acute pain in the sternum. As a rule, this condition is observed in those who remain in one position for a long time, for example, sitting. The syndrome can develop during the process of standing up after a long stay at the table in an unchanged position. Dorsago is characterized by the appearance of unbearable pain and limited movement in the spine.

Unlike dorsago, dorsalgia develops gradually. With this syndrome, slight pain and discomfort appears in the affected area of the ridge. An increase in pain is observed when taking a deep breath and bending the body.

The muscles become tense and movements in the spine become limited. Typically, the pain increases in the evening and goes away in the morning after a 10-minute walk.

The presence of other pain syndromes against the background of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region.

With this pathology, other pain syndromes may develop, which complicate the accurate diagnosis of the disease. When the disease spreads to the area of the upper thoracic segment of the sternum, pain appears in the esophagus, larynx, and a “lump in the throat” is felt. If the lesion is located in the mid-thoracic segment, discomfort occurs in the right hypochondrium.

When the pathology spreads to the area of the lower thoracic segment, pain in the peritoneum develops, similar to signs of a disease in the intestines.

It is worth noting that there is no relationship between the pain syndrome due to thoracic osteochondrosis and the patient’s nutritional quality. Moreover, pain can appear regardless of the time of year. Although the pain associated with this disease can increase in the evening and during physical overload. By morning, the discomfort usually disappears or subsides.

Medications

Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is carried out by taking tablets, a course of injections, suppositories or using ointments/gels.

Treatment with medications is carried out over several months. In the absence of positive changes, the disease is eliminated through surgery.

Anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs (PVNS)

They are used to reduce pain and relieve inflammatory processes occurring in the nerve roots. Among the most effective drugs are:

Artradol;
Nimesulide;
Diclofenac.

Self-administration of PVNS is extremely dangerous to health and can cause irreparable harm. Specialist consultation is required.

Glucocorticosteroids

This category of drugs for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region includes Dexamethasone and Prednisol.

Due to the fact that the drugs are hormonal, their use must be agreed upon with the attending physician. Otherwise, irreparable harm may be caused to the body.

Diuretics

Diuretics that relieve swelling in the presence of pinched nerve roots. Drugs of this type include Furosemide and Diacarb.

Vitamin complexes

Taking vitamins improves the metabolic processes occurring in the nervous tissue.

In order to restore high-quality metabolism, patients are prescribed B vitamins, as well as Pentoxifylline and Thioctic acid.

Chondroprotectors

Medicines, the use of which ensures the restoration of elasticity and shock-absorbing functions of the intervertebral discs.

One of the most effective remedies is Artracam.

The intensity and dosage of taking medications for thoracic osteochondrosis is determined taking into account the stage of development of the disease.

Antispasmodics

They help relax the muscle frame and help get rid of the problem of constant spasms, starting the recovery process of thoracic osteochondrosis.

The most effective include:

Mydocalm;
Buscopan;
Eufillin.

Nutrition

Therapeutic treatment of any disease requires adherence to the basics of a balanced diet.

A diet for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine slows down pathological processes and helps accelerate recovery processes.

Nutritional correction involves increasing the proportion of foods in the diet that contain natural chondroprotectors that promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue.

It is important to note that dietary nutrition during degenerative-dystrophic processes should be based on the completeness of the diet and compliance with the drinking regime.

The diet must include foods containing calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, retinol, and vitamins B and C.

It is also necessary to limit the level of consumption of strong tea and coffee, as well as give up bad habits.

It is recommended to completely exclude from the diet various kinds of semi-finished products, fresh baked goods, as well as margarine and carbonated drinks with a high sugar content.

Prevention

In order to prevent the occurrence or aggravation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, it is recommended to carry out a number of preventive measures at regular intervals, including:

rejection of bad habits;
adherence to the principles of proper, balanced nutrition;
tracking the safest and most comfortable position for the spine while walking, running, sitting;
ensuring comfortable sleep in the correct body position;
organization of exercises according to the recommended sets of exercises for the thoracic spine with osteochondrosis.

The comfort of a person’s daily life is largely determined by his health.

When the first symptoms of a spinal disease appear, seek advice from a specialist who will help diagnose the disease and select the correct course of treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.