Osteochondrosis is one of the most common pathologies of the spine. It is thought to develop mainly in the neck or lower back. After all, it is in these places that the spine is very mobile and under great stress. But the sedentary lifestyle of most people and prolonged sitting at the table have led to the fact that osteochondrosis of the chest is beginning to appear more often. Although in many cases this pathology is not diagnosed immediately. After all, the peculiarity of thoracic osteochondrosis is that its symptoms are nonspecific and resemble many other pathologies.
Main characteristics
This degenerative-dystrophic disease affects the intervertebral discs of the chest. This is due to a violation of metabolic processes, which leads to thinning and drying of cartilage tissue. As a result, under the influence of physical exertion, the disks begin to collapse and lose their damping functions. The vertebrae, ligaments and joints in the spine are gradually affected. Nerve fibers and blood vessels can be damaged.
This process develops slowly, so the pathology is difficult to diagnose. In addition, not everyone goes to the doctor immediately because they do not know the danger of thoracic osteochondrosis. But without treatment, the disease can lead to serious complications. Since this part of the spine is responsible for the blood supply and innervation of the internal organs, in advanced osteochondrosis of the chest, various pathologies can develop. Intestinal peristalsis, heart function, liver, digestive tract are disturbed. Pancreatitis, cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia may occur. But most often complications occur in the spine. In addition to intervertebral disc herniation and intercostal neuralgia, spinal cord compression, spondylosis, sciatica, and postural disorders may develop.
Chest osteochondrosis is equally common in men and women. Its appearance does not even depend on age, although it was previously thought that degenerative-dystrophic diseases are characteristic only of the elderly. But today's young people are increasingly suffering from osteochondrosis due to improper diet and sedentary lifestyle.
The most common osteochondrosis is thought to be cervical. Often the pathology also appears in the lumbar region. This is due to the special structure of the skeleton. In the thoracic region, the spine is less mobile because it is connected to the ribs and sternum.
Here, the intervertebral discs are thinner and the vertebrae are closer together. But this area is less susceptible to injuries and other external influences, as part of the load is borne by the ribs and chest.
Osteochondrosis usually occurs at the level of the 7-11 vertebrae. In this case, the intervertebral discs are mainly affected. 1-2 segments of the spine are most often affected. But sometimes polysegmental osteochondrosis develops, in which several discs are destroyed simultaneously. Rarely, the pathology in this section manifests itself, usually combined with a lesion of the cervical or lumbar spine. In this case, the symptoms are more pronounced, so it becomes easier to diagnose the disease.
The peculiarity of thoracic osteochondrosis is that it rarely manifests itself with back pain after exercise, as is the case when it is localized in the cervical or lumbar spine. The pathology in the initial stage is confused with heart or lung diseases. Eventually, the pain is often localized in the chest, shortness of breath, nausea, chills appear. But the manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis are not very bright, so patients do not always go to the doctor in the initial stage. Therefore, the pathology progresses.
Development of the disease
The danger of osteochondrosis of the chest is that it is "masked" like other diseases. The pathology develops slowly, rarely any of the patients see a doctor in the initial stage. Osteochondrosis begins with thinning of the intervertebral disc. Its core flattens, the shell cracks and dries, and the vertebrae come together. Usually at this stage there is no great discomfort, only slight muscle tension. If the disease can be detected, then it can be completely cured by restoring the condition of the discs.
But usually the progression of osteochondrosis continues. In the surrounding soft tissues may begin an inflammatory process, the joint capsules suffer. The mobility of the spine is reduced, the vertebrae can be displaced. If the increased physical activity continues due to friction of the vertebrae against each other, microcracks appear on them. At this time there is a feeling of tightness in the chest, pain with each movement in the upper body.
In the third stage of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs become very thin, bulges and hernias appear. The mobility of the spine is almost completely limited. Osteophytes begin to form on the vertebrae. This stage is characterized by a pronounced radicular syndrome, as the nerve fibers are disrupted. In this case, the work of internal organs is seriously impaired. In most cases, it is at this time that the patient goes to the doctor and begins treatment. If this is not done, complications can lead to disability, and in compression of the spinal cord to complete immobility.
The last stage of osteochondrosis is characterized by complete destruction of the discs and loss of their functions. The bone tissue of the vertebrae begins to collapse, so that the mobility of the spine is completely impaired. All vegetative and radicular symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are pronounced.
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis is wavy. This is usually a chronic process that proceeds slowly, with little discomfort. There may be increased fatigue, weakness. And when exposed to external factors, exacerbation occurs with sharp pain. In this case, patients are often hospitalized, as the attack may be accompanied by shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest or abdominal pain.
Reasons
The main cause of thoracic osteochondrosis, as in other forms, is a violation of mineral metabolism. As a result of degenerative-dystrophic processes, protrusion or disc herniation appears, they become thinner and cease to perform their functions, the vertebrae gradually collapse, osteophytes grow. This is most often due to an unbalanced diet, leading to a lack of essential nutrients, or age-related changes in the composition of cartilage tissue. Disc degeneration can also lead to poor blood circulation in the spine, bad habits or hereditary predisposition.
But a lack of minerals does not always lead to osteochondrosis. This requires provoking factors affecting the spine itself.
Therefore, the following causes of this pathology are also distinguished:
- frequent static loads on the spine;
- prolonged sitting in an awkward position on the table;
- weight lifting;
- obesity;
- injury to the spine or surrounding tissues;
- engaged in power sports;
- rachiocampis;
- weakness of the muscular corset;
- congenital malformations of the skeleton;
- severe hypothermia;
- nervous tension.
It turns out that people who spend a long time in an awkward position on a table or drive a car, as well as those who perform heavy physical work, are most susceptible to the development of pathology. In fact, both increased loads and their complete absence are equally harmful to the intervertebral discs.
In addition, osteochondrosis often develops in young people who have osteochondropathy. This pathology usually develops in the lower chest in adolescents. It is characterized by necrosis of the spongy tissue of the vertebrae, deformity of the spine and the appearance of neurological symptoms. As the pathology progresses, it is complicated by osteochondrosis.
Manifestations of pathology
The main symptoms of chest osteochondrosis are pain, radicular syndrome and dysfunction of internal organs. The pain in this pathology can be acute, paroxysmal or painful, constant, increasing with movement. Sometimes patients are admitted to hospital with suspected acute pancreatitis, cholecystitis or urolithiasis. After all, the pain is not always localized in the area of the affected vertebrae. Therefore, thoracic osteochondrosis is often confused with pathologies of other organs.
In addition, degenerative processes in the spine in this disease are almost always accompanied by vascular disorders or intercostal neuralgia. This is due to the special structure of the spine in this area - a small distance between the vertebrae and a large number of nerves and blood vessels.
Thoracic osteochondrosis can be suspected by restricting the mobility of the upper body, increasing adoration. Intercostal neuralgia often occurs. Acute pain can last for several hours or more. It can be triggered by weight lifting, maintaining a static posture for a long time, hypothermia.
If the vessels are affected, there is a disturbance in the blood supply and nutrition of the skin. Therefore, there is increased brittleness of the nails, dryness and peeling of the skin. Cold skin and chills often occur.
Characteristics of pain
The pain in osteochondrosis of the chest may vary in intensity and location. The pain usually occurs in the chest or between the shoulder blades. They get worse when you raise your arm, turn or bend your body, cough or sneeze. The pain can be sharp, oppressive, aching.
Usually such sensations are divided into two groups: dorsago and dorsalgia. Dorsago is an attack of sharp pain between the shoulder blades. It is also called "lumbago of the chest". The pain is so severe that it prevents the person from moving. A back attack usually occurs after a long stay in a stationary position during the first movement. It is accompanied by muscle spasm, due to which respiratory function is impaired. The sensation extends to the shoulder blade, between the ribs to the chest. Chest pain with osteochondrosis resembles an attack of angina pectoris, but unlike it, it is not removed by nitroglycerin. In addition, the pain increases when pressing on the vertebrae.
Dorsalgia is a chronic, mild pain. It usually begins gradually, with mild discomfort in the thoracic spine. In this case, the pain may increase when bending, turning, raising the arm and even walking. This severely limits the patient's mobility. In addition, there may be an increase in pain on deep breathing, after a long stay in a sitting position or at night. Dorsalgia can last from 2 weeks to a month. Chest tightness and shortness of breath may resemble pneumonia, but the patient does not have a cough or fever.
Radicular syndrome
When the vertebrae or spasmodic muscles of the nerve roots are compressed, the signs of osteochondrosis of the chest become more pronounced. Ultimately, the spinal nerves located at this point in the spine are responsible for the innervation of the skin, the motor functions of the limbs, and the functioning of the internal organs.
In addition to shooting pains in the back, chest or abdomen, nerve compression is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- paresis or partial paralysis of the limbs;
- impaired skin sensitivity;
- tingling, burning, tingling, feeling of running "goosebumps";
- violation of tendon reflexes;
- reflex muscle spasm;
- trophic changes in the skin - hair loss, discoloration, dryness and flaking.
The intensity of these symptoms increases with exercise, deep breathing, prolonged sitting, after hypothermia or stress.
Vegetative disorders
There are many nerves and blood vessels in the chest that ensure the normal functioning of the internal organs. Therefore, in osteochondrosis, various autonomic disorders are necessarily observed. They depend on the location of the affected vertebrae, as well as on the stage of the pathology.
In lesions of the spine in the upper part of the chest there is discomfort in the esophagus, a feeling of coma in the pharynx. Difficulty swallowing, changes in voice may occur. The middle thoracic vertebrae are responsible for the liver, gallbladder, stomach and pancreas. Therefore, when they are destroyed, the symptoms often appear similar to pancreatitis, cholecystitis or gastritis. If the degenerative changes have affected the lower thoracic vertebrae, there may be problems with the intestines and genitals.
Patients often visit a doctor with abdominal pain. They usually worsen in the evening or after physical work. In addition, the pain is not related to the characteristics of the patient's diet. This gastrological syndrome is characteristic of thoracic osteochondrosis. But despite abdominal pain, intestinal upset, nausea and flatulence, problems with the digestive tract are not detected. These sensations arise from damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the spine.
Diagnosis
Due to the fact that the signs of osteochondrosis of the chest are nonspecific, the pathology can be detected only by a thorough examination. At the same time, it is very important to distinguish it from other diseases. X-ray or tomography of the spine helps to rule out spondylopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
But other research methods are needed. This is a urine test, general and biochemical blood test, fluorography, ECG, MRI or ultrasound of internal organs. Such a study makes it possible to exclude pathologies such as pancreatitis, gastritis, gastric ulcers, heart attacks, pneumonia and urolithiasis.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest should be comprehensive. As the cause of the pathology are degenerative processes, it is impossible to completely cure. Only in the initial stage, while the structure of the vertebrae is still not disturbed, and the discs are slightly reduced in size, this process can be stopped and the functions of the spine restored.
But usually the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest is aimed at slowing down the destruction of tissues, relieving pain and neurological symptoms and restoring mobility. The choice of therapeutic methods depends on the stage of the pathology, the localization of the degenerative processes, the manifested symptoms. It is necessary to start treatment as early as possible, then there are more opportunities to avoid complications.
It is especially important to see a doctor when your back hurts a lot and the shooting pain radiates to your chest or shoulder blade. Such deterioration can be eliminated by special methods. These are usually drugs used in the form of tablets or injections, various ointments or compresses, physiotherapy procedures. It is also necessary to immobilize the spine: the patient is shown bed rest and restriction of movement for several days.
After the seizure is removed, the treatment does not stop. But now its main goal is to stop degenerative processes and restore tissue trophism. Among the drugs used for this are chordroprotectors, vitamins and means to improve metabolism. In addition, massage courses and physiotherapy procedures, as well as physiotherapy exercises must be prescribed. In addition, the performance of special exercises should be constant. To prevent complications, it is necessary to follow the diet so that it provides the body with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Lifestyle is also very important: choosing a suitable mattress and pillow for sleeping, a chair for work, alternating rest and physical activity.
Osteochondrosis of the breast is a very serious pathology that, if left untreated, can lead to dangerous complications. But difficulties in diagnosis lead to the fact that the disease often progresses. That is why it is so important to lead a proper lifestyle and avoid factors that provoke the destruction of the discs. This will help prevent the development of osteochondrosis and keep the spine healthy.