Pain, limitation of movement are characteristic manifestations of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. But the insidiousness of this pathology also lies in the fact that the internal organs are affected both at the level of the chest and below, so no one except the doctor can understand what is happening. Osteochondrosis occurs as a result of degenerative-dystrophic processes in which intervertebral discs, joints, ligaments and spinal roots are affected.
Symptoms of the disease can appear at a very early stage. But the disease of the spine can be influenced, the main thing is to know the causes and regularities according to which it develops. The reasons are more or less clear to doctors, but the mechanism of development somehow remains in the "shadow".
Causes and course of the disease
Every part of the spine is constantly stressed, both statically and dynamically. Constant pressure causes the integrity of the intervertebral disc to be violated. It is damaged, the inner component is beginning to bulge outward.
The intervertebral disc, like any other cartilage, is nourished in a special way: when pressed, it releases fluid, and when the pressure is released, it absorbs all the nutrients like a sponge. This mechanism does not work in prolonged static postures or during exercise when constant pressure is applied to the disc. Daily morning exercises have a positive effect on nutrition.
stages of degeneration
To better understand the symptoms, you need to understand what stages the disc goes through and what happens to it. As, however, in the entire spine.
At the first stage there is no pain and the attack does not manifest itself in any way, but the process has already started, the inner part is already moving freely.
At the second stage, an attack of pain is already felt in full, radicular symptoms appear, a person actively uses ointments, but the cause is not solved. The disk gradually protrudes and begins to squeeze the spinal cord. At the third stage, an attack of pain, which mainly manifests osteochondrosis of the chest region, becomes brighter and more intense, ointments do not help. The disk gradually bulges out, its protrusion appears.
The last stage leads to the appearance of damage outside the disk components. The clinical picture is characterized by compression of the roots, blood vessels and the spinal cord itself. As a result, an attack of pain of considerable intensity develops.
The body tries its best to relieve pain, as a result, characteristic growths, osteophytes, appear on the spine. The narrowing of the intervertebral foramina compresses the roots of the spinal cord. The pressure causes the rest of the internal organs to become affected. Their treatment does not bring results, which sometimes confuses the doctor.
symptoms of the disease
Very often the cause of the defeat of this particular section of the spine lies in a sedentary lifestyle, clarifying this circumstance will greatly facilitate the diagnosis. Pressure is usually exerted when a person sits at a computer or in a chair for a long time. The pain is usually dull in nature, then it becomes aching and burning. It is located midway between the shoulder blades and provides some compression in the chest area.
If you try to feel the area of the spinous and transverse processes of the spine, the pain will increase significantly.
Diagnosis is simplified by tensing the paravertebral muscles. The signs increase if you ask the patient to take a deep breath and turn with the body.
Some patients notice pain in the shoulder blade or lower thoracic spine. This is called posterior rib syndrome and occurs as a result of the displacement of the lower ribs. Pain may suddenly go away, but may intensify during turns.
Signs are expressed by girdle pain along the intercostal spaces, this is where the nerve passes. Sensitivity is impaired in the area where the damaged nerves branch. Concerned about paresthesia, deep and superficial sensitivity are reduced. Signs are accompanied by a violation of the function of the abdominal press, reflexes of the knee and heel are reduced.
Damage to internal organs
In parallel with the pain, there is a violation of the functioning of internal organs. In the area of the thoracic spinal cord there are centers responsible for the work of the heart, pulmonary system, liver, intestines and kidneys, pancreas. Difficulty breathing, pain, and cardiac arrest resembling angina pectoris can be bothersome. The mammary glands may ache, or everything is localized in the area of \u200b\u200bthe right or left hypochondrium, resembling an attack of cholecystitis or pancreatitis.
sore throat or esophagus. Symptoms are localized in the left hypochondrium or abdomen and resemble symptoms of gastritis or intestinal inflammation (colitis, enteritis). Injuries can originate from the kidneys and the reproductive system.
diagnosis
Making a correct diagnosis based on symptoms alone can be difficult. Therefore, the diagnosis involves taking an X-ray. On it are visible the characteristic changes that manifest osteochondrosis of the thoracic region in the form of a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, sclerosis of the end plates and the formation of osteophytes.
In addition, a CT scan is performed if the X-ray does not provide a result. The study is complemented by MRI, it shows soft tissues, so that the diagnosis of a herniated disc is made.
Differential diagnosis requires special attention, it is carried out not only on the basis of complaints and clinical manifestations. The pain in the heart area is therefore not influenced by the drugs used for angina pectoris. Epigastric soreness is not affected by food intake and there is no seasonal manifestation of symptoms. Everything appears in the evening and completely disappears after a night's sleep.
treatment
Treatment includes taking all kinds of drugs, these are pills and injections. They start with drugs that reduce the inflammatory process, traditionally nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used for this. They eliminate pain and inflammation and help relax muscles. Only a doctor should prescribe them, otherwise there is a high risk of complications and there are contraindications to its use. According to the recommendation, tablets are often taken after meals, but the doctor can also prescribe injections. This group of active ingredients is applied locally in the form of an ointment that is applied about three times throughout the day.
Analgesics can complement the group of drugs described above, with severe pain, injections are prescribed by the doctor, if everything is not so bad, tablets are also suitable. With pain of considerable intensity, blockade with the drug can be carried out directly in the focus of pain, which allows you to quickly remove the attack. Special anesthetic creams can also supplement the treatment.
Chondroprotectors allow you to restore the structure of the cartilage, but you will have to take drugs in this group for a long time. The doctor, at his discretion, prescribes injections or tablets, which are taken in courses. Recently, the preparations of this group are presented in the form of an ointment, which is used externally.
Complement the full-fledged treatment with drugs of the antispasmodic group. The action is aimed at relaxing the muscles that pinched arteries and nerves. The pressure decreases, the patient's condition is relieved.
Ointments are actively used, they act locally and help relieve an attack of pain. Ointments are applied to the painful area, where they warm the skin. Ointments are also shown to be used along the nerves so that they can more effectively relieve an attack of pain. In addition to the ointment, complete the treatment with mustard plasters
Hormone-based drugs are also used, mainly injections. They are prescribed as a last resort when it is necessary to relieve an attack of severe pain. Paraverbal blockade of the affected area of \u200b\u200bthe nerve or root is often used, drugs based on hormones are used.
In addition to all vitamin-based preparations, injections are made into the muscle. Medicines can be represented by bioactive dietary supplements, tablets of which improve cartilage nutrition and relieve pressure.
physical therapy
All kinds of techniques are actively used to calm even a strong attack. During the procedures, you can use drugs that act like a kind of blockage. The list of procedures can be presented as follows:
- shock wave therapy. Due to the shock wave, it restores nutrition and blood supply to the spine, eliminates an attack of pain and allows you to get rid of inflammation.
- Ultraviolet radiation. Promotes better absorption of calcium.
- vibration therapy. Exposure to high-frequency sound improves blood circulation, relieves pressure and pain.
- magnetotherapy. Exposure to a magnetic field improves the vital processes of cells and accelerates regeneration. Darsonval behaves similarly.
- electrophoresis. The effect of current, which helps the drugs penetrate deeper into the tissue.
- diodynamics. The effect of variable frequency current effectively reduces pain.
- To swim. Allows muscles to relax. It is recommended to swim only in a pool with warm water.
- balneotherapy. For treatment of mineral water and sludge. Minerals contribute to the healing process, the pressure on the roots is reduced.
- Acupuncture. It provides the action of thin needles on the active points of the body.
- Manual therapy or massage. You can additionally use ointments that help relax muscles and unblock blood vessels and nerves.
Methods are selected strictly individually by a doctor. The main thing is not to trigger the disease.