The human spine is its mainstay in the literal sense of the word. It is designed to withstand heavy loads. When different types of adverse effects affect the body, chest osteochondrosis develops.
Osteochondrosis is a disease in which the intervertebral discs lose elasticity, resilience and firmness, in other words, their dystrophic and degenerative changes occur. The basis is the disruption of metabolic processes in the tissues of the discs. In addition, there is a change in the structure of the spine itself.
The right to use the term "spinal osteochondrosis" is now controversial, as is the problem of writing off all back pain.
The nosological unit of the 10th revision in the International Classification of Diseases is not "osteochondrosis", but the term still exists in physicians.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes of the thoracic spine do not develop so often, they can mimic the symptoms of somatic diseases.
If pain appears on the left side of the chest, even if it increases with movement with inspiration, electrocardiography is mandatory to rule out acute coronary syndrome.
What a disease
Chest osteochondrosis is the most rare form of unnatural changes in the spine. The fact is that unlike the lumbar and cervical regions, the thoracic region of the spine is supported and strengthened by the ribs.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is less common than other forms of this condition because the thoracic spine is strengthened by ribs.
The symptoms are often similar to the symptoms of heart disease as well as pleural diseases.
Diagnosis is made on the basis of X-ray, CT, MRI. Treatment is selected to relieve symptoms and prevent further degradation of the spinal cartilage.
Even a significant load causes minimal damage to vertebrates in this area. However, the main danger for vertebrates on this side is prolonged sitting position.
Such osteochondrosis causes changes both in the vertebrae themselves and in the surrounding organs. The onset of the disease is mostly mild, with no severe pain. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to identify osteochondrosis in the chest area due to the embodiment of other diseases.
Often, this pathology can be confused with:
- Angina pectoris;
- DiseasesGastrointestinal tract(Gastritis, ulcer, colitis);
- DiseasesHearts;
- InflammationAppendix;
- KidneyColic.
A comprehensive examination soon reveals that the symptoms of other diseases are not confirmed, while the signs of one of the degrees of osteochondrosis are obvious.
Disease spread
The risk group includes workers of any kind of activity. Most often, chest osteochondrosis (GO) is found in people over the age of 55, but in young people you can also see the first signs of developing the disease. 38% of the sample surveyed by doctors were male and 62% were female.
The initial stage of HO is found in 71% of respondents. Osteochondrosis is the most common cause of disability in the working population. There are 33 to 165 cases per 100 workers per year. Those. Often, within a year, one person has multiple relapses, each time requiring sick leave.
Degrees
The development of osteochondrosis of the chest goes through several stages:
- Tissue dehydrationWheels,Because they lose flexibility and elasticity. At this point the discs gradually flatten and change, they can still withstand the load, but the person already feels unpleasant sensations.
- Crack dehydratedFiberDisk rings. When the position of the body changes, a pronounced pain is felt.
- GapFrom the outer membrane of the disc comes the nucleus pulposus, forming a hernia that touches the nerve roots coming out of the spine, in such a situation there is a sharp pain.
- ConvergenceAdjacent vertebrates, their movement, flattening and growth.
Osteochondrosis is divided into several degrees:
- ᲓSickness1 degreeIntervertebral disc rupture is diagnosed when sharp pain occurs in the chest area compared to electroshock and the muscles are extremely tense.
- 2nd degreeCharacterized by the appearance of disc protrusion when part of it begins to press on the nerve roots, but the pulp nucleus is still intact and does not come out. This degree of osteochondrosis is accompanied by a constant alternation of exacerbations and remissions.
- At3 degreesThe pain is constant since the nerve endings are subject to constant irritation. At this stage there is numbness of the extremities, severe headache, arrhythmia, insomnia, increased nervousness due to general deterioration.
- At4 degreesIrreversible transformations are observed in vertebrates, after their convergence and modification the spine loses its mobility in this place.
Depending on the degree and stage of the disease, symptoms and other factors, a suitable method of treatment will be selected.
ᲛReasons
Osteochondrosis occurs for many reasons, but the most common are:
- ExcessiveWeightBody. The spinal column is constantly unable to withstand excess weight.
- Wrongfood.Due to the small consumption of calcium-containing foods and the simultaneous consumption of food, which leads to its excretion from the body, bone tissue is destroyed. The vertebrae gradually expire. In addition, if the diet lacks a sufficient amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, the intervertebral discs, which lack these important micronutrients, suffer.
- smoke.Tobacco consumption disrupts metabolic processes in the body and this has a significant impact on the condition of the intervertebral discs.
- ViolationPosture.Systematic disruption of the normal position of the spine leads to scoliosis, which in turn provokes osteochondrosis.
- Seatedlifestyle. Sedentary work and lack of any physical activity leads to the fact that the muscles of the body lose tone. They relax and are unable to fully support the spine, causing it to bend.
- Increased physicalLoad.Most often they are aimed at professional athletes, although in everyday conditions there are such situations. If it acts strongly on the spine, then it is possible to change the position of the spine, causing protrusion and hernia.
- GeneticPropensity. Often similar pathological disorders are found in vertebrates and discs in close relatives.
- Agechanges. Over the years, the body stops synthesizing glycosaminoglycans and other important compounds that give elasticity to the intervertebral discs. The bone tissue becomes porous and fragile, which means that the vertebrae are prone to deformation.
- TraumaBack. Even minor damage to the spine does not go unnoticed and causes transformations in the vertebrae.
In addition, hormonal disorders, hypothermia and infectious diseases in the body can become a stimulus for the development of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms
Since chest osteochondrosis is symptomatically similar to many other diseases, it is quite difficult to distinguish its signs. However, doctors agree that the obvious symptoms of osteochondrosis can be considered:
- Pain betweenRibs;
- Pain in the upperLimbs,Accompanied by a feeling of tingling and numbness;
- The pain is deepBreathing;
- Pain when tryingIncreaseHand;
- Impossibility to commit by the body corpusInclinationIn one direction or another;
- ConvulsionsIn the muscles;
- PaleSkin due to improper functioning of nerve endings;
- feelingLumbagoBack.
Pain attacks increase at night, with a decrease in body temperature as the body rotates.
Since pain can spread to the front of the upper chest, it is often confused with pain in the heart.
| The spine does not. | Which parts of the body are connected | What causes |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | Trachea, esophagus | Cough, asthma, arrhythmia |
| D2 | Wristbands, wrists, hands | Pain in the chest, hands and arms |
| D3 | Chest, pleura, lungs, bronchi | Pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma, bronchitis |
| D4 | Bile duct and bladder | Jaundice, stones |
| D5 | Solar braid | Jaundice, poor blood clotting |
| D6 | Liver | Ulcers, gastritis, digestive problems, liver dysfunction |
| D7 | 12 duodenum, pancreas | Stools, digestive disorders, ulcers and diabetes |
| D8 | Diaphragm, spleen | Weakened immune system, allergies |
| D9 | Adrenal glands | Weakness, fatigue, kidney problems |
| D10 | Kidney | Infertility, digestive problems, diseases of the female genitals |
| D11 | Urinals | Kidney disease, urinary problems |
| D12 | Fallopian tubes, uterine rings, large intestine and small intestine | Infertility, diseases of the genitals, fecal and digestive problems |
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be observed 2 common syndromes - dorsago and dorsalgia.
Dorsago is a syndrome accompanied by strong, sharp and sudden pain in the chest. Normal inhalation, exhalation, and attempts to turn the body in one direction or another are accompanied by painful sensations. This syndrome often occurs in people who have to spend a lot of time in one posture, leaning forward.
Dorsalgia - Unlike Dorsalgo, it develops unnoticed for about a month. It is characterized by sharp pain and discomfort in the chest. The pain increases in the dark, with deep breathing and an uncomfortable position of the body.
| Does it hurt? | How it manifests itself |
|---|---|
| Topless | Compression is felt in the back and chest, it is difficult to breathe, pain is felt when breathing and bending, sometimes it is felt in the heart and left chest. |
| Neck | Hands contract, voice muffled, difficulty breathing, headache, dizziness, loss of sight and hearing |
| The back is small | Cold leg syndrome, lower extremity spasm, increased sweating, disorders of the genital system, low back pain - dull or severe |
Specific and rare symptoms of breast osteochondrosis:
- feelingUniformlyIn the throat, pain in the larynx and esophagus, occurs if the disease affects the upper chest;
- SymptomsPancreatitis,Cholecystitis occurs when the middle region of the chest is damaged;
- PathologyIntestinesCan simulate defeat of the lower chest;
- Between the ribsNeuralgia,The pain caused by a fracture of the intercostal nerve roots in this case is of a shark nature. It is easy to confuse neuralgia with many diseases of the internal organs;
- PulmonarySyndrome - manifested by symptoms of hypoxia and edema in the lungs.
During the disease, several or almost all symptoms can be observed simultaneously and change according to the stage of thoracic osteochondrosis.
| Factor | Osteochondrosis | ᲛIocardial infarction | Angina pectoris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Less often strong, more often mild pain | Strong unbearable | Weak |
| Duration | Long: One day or more | A few hours or days | 1 to 15 minutes |
| location | Left breast, back, between shoulder blades | Neck, back of breast bone | Neck, back of breast bone |
Diagnosis
The main methods of diagnosing osteochondrosis of the chest are:
- X-ray.Images taken with his help usually show the following signs: altered body shape of the spine; The presence of bone formations; Reduced height of intervertebral discs; Uneven contours of plates; Thinning of the spinal canal; Degenerative processes in the structure of the spine.
- ComputerTomography. In difficult cases it is necessary to obtain a full-fledged 3D model of the spinal column.
- NeurophysiologicalExamination. Tendon reflexes as well as muscle nerve conduction (electroneuromyography) are assessed.
- ᲡStudyBloodTo determine the level of calcium in it.
Since the diagnosis of chest osteochondrosis is quite difficult, you need to know its primary symptoms in order to consult a doctor in a timely manner.
First aid for exacerbations
If it became necessary to get rid of the attack in a short time, experts advise you to follow a number of recommendations.
First of all, it is necessary to warm up where the pain syndrome is manifested. For this it is better to use special healing ointments. Doctors strongly advise you not to use herbal decoctions, as there is a possibility of serious burns. A wool shawl or scarf works best for a warming compress.
Next, you need to take a body position that will not cause any unpleasant sensations. It is advisable to lie on a solid surface such as the floor.
In case of aggravation, a tight bandage should be placed on the chest.
Taking medication with an analgesic effect will help stop or reduce the attack.
If after 60 minutes the health condition does not improve, it is necessary to call an ambulance. When the doctor comes he should be told about the use of painkillers.
Treatment
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes the following procedures:
- Anti-inflammatoryNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - Helps suppress inflammation and pain. Hormonal drugs are added if necessary.
- Muscle relaxants- Relaxation of tense muscles.
- SedativesMedications - To reduce the anxiety and irritation caused by constant pain.
- DiureticMedications to relieve swelling.
- DrugsTo activate blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors.Medications prescribed to accelerate the regeneration of cartilage tissues - insufficient evidence base, the effect is individual.
- Acupuncture.Acupuncture specialists can relieve pain during osteochondrosis by affecting specific areas of the body.
- Physiotherapy.
- ManualTherapy. An experienced chiropractor can improve blood circulation, relieve muscle spasm, and stop the development of osteochondrosis.
- ᲛMassage.It is permissible to use this method of treatment in the absence of a disc herniation.
- UltrasoundTherapy.
- ElectromagneticTherapy.
- Mud therapy.
- Stretching.Thanks to this method, the muscles and spine are stretched to 1. 5 mm. This, in turn, causes decompression of the nerve endings, while the inflammatory process is eliminated, the pain disappears and local blood circulation increases.
If standard treatment does not work or a hernia has formed, surgery is rarely needed.
The diet should include natural chondroprotective dishes - jellies, jellies, puddings, strong broths cooked from lamb and beef.
All doctors say that swimming is essential to maintain a healthy spine. This type of activity allows you to evenly distribute the load throughout the body, helps to straighten the spine, strengthens the spinal muscles and improves the overall health of the body. However, we must remember that in the presence of a hernia, such a method of recovery is excluded during exacerbations.
Physiotherapy
If chest osteochondrosis is diagnosed as grade 1, regular exercise will allow you to deal with the problem without the use of medication. In addition, to achieve a positive result, it is recommended to exercise for at least 4 months.
To treat the disease, it is recommended to do the following exercises daily:
- Tilting in front of the body, while bending the lower limbs alternately;
- Turn the pages by lifting your arms alternately;
- Simultaneous raising of the upper and lower limbs in a prone position;
- Bend your body forward, with your hands reaching to the opposite side of your foot.
Each exercise is repeated 10 times. 3 approaches are allowed.
Experts give another set of exercises:
- Hold a standing position. Raise your hands while inhaling and lower when exhaling.
- Sit on a chair with your back to it. Inhale and move your shoulders back so that the shoulder blades are as close to each other as possible. Slightly lower the lower back.
- Sit on four. Lift your right leg and left hand off the floor, straighten and remove. You should stand in this position for 15 seconds. After that, take the starting position and do the same on the opposite limbs.
- Perform the exercise "cat". To do this, you also need to take a position, stand on all fours, bend at the bottom of the spine and lean up.
Each should be done 15-20 times. If you experience painful sensations during any workout, it is best not to do this.
Once the muscle corset is strengthened, the specialist will advise you to move on to more challenging exercises.
We must remember that the load during the period of disease exacerbation should be minimal, but you should not skip lessons.
Consequences and complications
Complications of thoracic osteochondrosis are not uncommon, as the disease is initially latent and asymptomatic, and can be detected when it progresses significantly. The following complications are distinguished:
- CompressionSpinal canal;
- Excess growthBone tissue of the spine;
- Spondyloarthritis(Thoracoarthrosis, dorsarthrosis);
- InflammationSpinal nerve roots;
- Vegetative-vascularDystonia.
The nature and severity of complications depend on the timeliness and accuracy of treatment. However, at a younger age, it is more often possible to avoid consequences.
Prevention methods
As such, there is no separate prevention of osteochondrosis, general spinal care is needed to prevent any changes in it. Therefore, you must follow the following rules:
- To preventTraumaThe spine. Athletes should carefully calibrate the load and use sports belts and corsets to support the spine. People whose activities involve physical activity should strengthen the spinal muscles to support the spinal column.
- Perform a special complexGymnasticsExercises. It is necessary to normalize blood circulation in the spine so that the intervertebral discs do not suffer from a lack of necessary micronutrients. When sitting, you need to get up at least once an hour and warm up a bit.
- In case of the slightest signs characteristic of spinal disease (tingling, numbness, lumbago) you should applyConsultationWith a neurologist.
It is essential to take care of spine health, maintain moderate physical activity, avoid bad habits, balanced diet and drink more fluids. All this will help to prevent changes in the spine, including the discs, and keep the spine in working condition for a long time.
Answers to common questions
Which doctor treats you?
At the first signs of pathology it is necessary to contact a vertebrologist or neurologist. In order to prescribe complex treatment, you will need to consult a traumatologist (if the disease is caused by bruising, trauma, fracture), osteopath (determines the area of spinal cord injury), rheumatologist (inflammation of connective tissue).
How long does the aggravation last?
The duration of the acute phase can be from 3 to 14 days. In the absence of therapeutic measures, relapses may recur continuously, leading to the gradual damage of new areas.
In what position should we sleep?
Experts recommend holding the lateral position of the embryo. Sleeping on your back is also allowed, but in this case the internal organs put pressure on the chest area. Sleeping on your stomach can cause neck pain.