Recently, doctors have increasingly received complaints about back pain, and young women often suffer from them. If discomfort is localized in the thoracic spine, it may be caused by a disorder such as thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are described in detail below.
Thoracic osteochondrosis - causes
Spinal osteochondrosis is a pathology in which negative modifications occur in the tissues of the intervertebral discs - elements of the spine located between the two vertebral bodies. The intervertebral disc is a kind of flat round cushion consisting of a gel-like collagen core, connective fibrous and vitreous cartilage tissue. The main functions of these structures are:
- connection and retention of adjacent vertebral bony bodies;
- shock-absorbing protection of the spine that protects against damage due to the body's gravity and loads;
- ensure mobility of adjacent vertebrae relative to each other.
If the intervertebral discs are in satisfactory functional condition, 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, these functions cannot be performed fully. Basically, this happens against the background of metabolic disorders.
In part, pathological changes in the intervertebral discs that cause thoracic osteochondrosis are explained by the fact that their nutrition through their own blood vessels stops with age, and the supply of nutrients becomes possible only due to adjacent structures (ligaments, vertebral bodies). The exact causes of poor nutrition of intervertebral structures and the mechanism of their destruction are unknown, but doctors identify a number of predisposing factors:
- systemic metabolic disorders in the body;
- excessive body weight;
- poor nutrition, drinking regime;
- inactivity;
- sedentary work;
- bad attitude;
- flat feet;
- injury to the back, spine;
- intense physical work or sports training;
- pregnancy;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes, high heels.
Degrees of thoracic osteochondrosis
A disease such as thoracic osteochondrosis does not immediately show symptoms, because it develops gradually and over a longer period. In addition, due to the low mobility of the spine in this area, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region manifests itself in the later stages in the presence of significant pathological changes. In total, four degrees of pathology are distinguished, depending on the developed deviations.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 1st degree
The preclinical stage is grade 1 osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. At this stage, partial dehydration and compression of the central 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 the usual loads is still preserved. Disc protrusions begin to form.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 2nd degree
When grade 2 thoracic osteochondrosis develops, the disease is characterized by the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring. The subsidence (thinning) of the discs 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 3rd degree
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine of the 3rd degree is accompanied by destruction and rupture of the fibrous tissue of the disc, release of the core part, i. e. the formation of a hernial protrusion of the intervertebral disc 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 bodies, a further increase in their area and spread. The affected fibrous disc tissue begins to be replaced by bone tissue in the form of specific growths - osteophytes that compress the spinal cord. As a result, the mobility of the spine is significantly reduced.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - symptoms
Due to the peculiarities of the localization of pathological processes, osteochondrosis in the thoracic region has both typical and atypical symptoms that repeat the manifestations of other diseases. This is due to the fact that due to compression of blood vessels and nerve fibers, structural changes in the spine, the functions of nearby internal organs are disturbed.
Let's list which symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are characteristic and most common:
- back and chest pain;
- feeling of squeezing in the chest;
- tingling sensations in the limbs;
- numbness in arms, legs, neck, shoulders;
- stiffness, soreness in 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 associated with pain appear among other complaints. Their intensity and duration depend on the stage of the pathological process. The localization of pain can periodically change rapidly, 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 hands;
- neck twists;
- carry heavy objects;
- sudden movements;
- increased physical activity;
- strong breathing, coughing, sneezing;
- hypothermia.
Can there be shortness of breath in thoracic osteochondrosis?
Due to displacement of the vertebral bodies, pathological changes in the structure of the chest, pinching of nerve fibers and blood vessels connected to the lungs, shortness of breath often occurs with thoracic osteochondrosis. In addition, because in the thoracic region there are structures responsible for the innervation of the heart, intestines, liver, kidneys and some other organs; the disease is often accompanied by the following symptoms:
- headache, dizziness;
- pain in the heart area;
- tenderness of the mammary glands;
- pain in the hypochondrium (similar to the appearance of pancreatitis, cholecystitis);
- epigastric pain not associated with eating;
- discomfort in the throat, esophagus, foreign body sensation;
- sexual dysfunctions.
Pain in the heart with thoracic osteochondrosis, often pressure, squeezing, can be misleading when making a diagnosis, simulating manifestations of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction. A feature of these sensations is their long duration and lack of effect when taking vasodilator drugs. There are no changes in the cardiogram.
Syndromes with thoracic osteochondrosis
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in women, associated with a single mechanism of occurrence, are present in many cases in a complex manner. There are two syndromes with a set of specific pathological conditions caused by thoracic osteochondrosis:
- dorsalgia;
- dorsago.
Dorsalgia of the thoracic spine
Prolonged, not very pronounced pain with thoracic osteochondrosis in women, often characterized as tenderness, pulling, is inherent in dorsalgia. Complaints may be present for 2-3 weeks, during which the discomfort either decreases slightly (especially when walking) or increases (often at night when bending over or breathing deeply). In the presence of this syndrome, thoracic osteochondrosis may also have symptoms associated with breathing difficulties and muscle stiffness.
Dorsago of the thoracic spine
Paroxysmal manifestations of the disease are called "dorsago" or "thoracic lumbago. "In this case, the pain occurs suddenly, acutely, often resembling signs of a heart attack. An attack of thoracic osteochondrosis has the following symptoms:
- sharp, dagger-like pain;
- pain is felt in the area between the ribs, the interscapular area;
- often an attack occurs after a long stay in one position;
- pain intensifies with rotation of the torso;
- there are breathing difficulties, severe muscle tension.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - consequences
If treatment of the pathology is not started in time, osteochondrosis in the thoracic region can have the following consequences:
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- migraine;
- disturbance of the function of internal organs (liver, kidneys, etc. );
- impaired hearing, vision;
- epicondylitis of the elbow joint;
- paresis and paralysis of the arms;
- rachiocampsis;
- loss of sensitivity of skin tissue;
- 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 a primary diagnosis. To determine the extent of the damage, X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography are prescribed. Treatment tactics depend on the results achieved.
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 intense pain, paravertebral blockades can be performed with an anesthetic solution. In addition, the following medications may be prescribed as part of conservative therapy:
- muscle relaxants;
- chondroprotectors;
- corticosteroids etc.
To improve metabolic processes, eliminate muscle hypertonicity and prevent various complications, the following treatment methods are used:
- physical therapy;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- spine traction;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (laser, ultrasound, etc. ).
Surgical treatment is required if there is compression of the spinal cord by a fragment of the intervertebral disc. In this case, either laminotomy can be performed - excision of the vertebral arches or discectomy - removal of part of the intervertebral disc or its complete removal with installation of a graft. In clinics with modern equipment, surgical interventions are performed using low-traumatic methods through small incisions.