Pain, restriction of movement are characteristic manifestations of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. But the insidiousness of this pathology is also in the fact that the internal organs are affected at the level of the chest and below, so that no one but the doctor can understand what is happening. Osteochondrosis occurs as a result of degenerative-dystrophic processes in which the discs, joints, ligaments and root of the spine are affected.
Symptoms of the disease can appear at a very early stage. But spinal disease can be affected, the main thing is to know the causes and the laws according to which it develops. Doctors are more or less clear about the reasons, but the mechanism of development remains in some way in the "shadow".
Causes and development of diseases
Any part of the spine is constantly under load, both static and dynamic. Constant pressure leads to the fact that the integrity of the intervertebral disc is violated. It is damaged, the inner component begins to bulge outwards.
The disc feeds, like any other cartilage, in a special way: when pressed, it releases fluid from itself, and when the pressure is released, like a sponge, it absorbs all the nutrients. This mechanism does not work during prolonged static positions or during exercise, when constant pressure is applied to the disc. Daily morning exercises have a positive effect on diet.
Stages of degeneration
To better understand the symptoms, you need to understand what stages the intervertebral disc goes through and what happens to it. As, however, in the whole spine.
In the first phase, 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.
In the second phase, the attack of pain is already fully felt, radicular symptoms join, the person actively uses fats, but the cause is not resolved. The disc gradually protrudes and begins to constrict the spinal cord. In the third stage, the attack of pain, which is mainly manifested by osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, becomes brighter and more intense, fats do not help. The disc gradually protrudes, its protrusion occurs.
The last stage leads to the appearance of signs 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 significant intensity developed.
The body tries to reduce the pain, which is why characteristic growths, osteophytes, appear on the spine. The roots of the spinal cord are compressed as a result of the narrowing of the intervertebral foramen. The pressure causes other internal organs to be affected. Their treatment does not bring any results, which sometimes confuses the doctor.
Symptoms of the disease
Very often the cause of the defeat of this part of the spine lies in a sedentary lifestyle, by clarifying this circumstance the diagnosis is greatly facilitated. Pressure is usually applied if a person sits at a computer or in a chair for a long time. The pain is mostly dull in nature, and then it becomes painful and burning. It is localized in the middle, between the shoulder blades, and some compression in the chest area is worrying.
If you try to feel the area of spinous and transverse processes of the spine, the pain will increase significantly.
The diagnosis is simplified by the tension of the paravertebral muscles. The signs intensify if you ask the patient to take a deep breath, turn his 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 lower rib displacement. The pain may disappear suddenly, but may increase during the turn.
The signs are manifested by pain in the waist along the intercostal spaces, where the nerve passes. Sensitivity is impaired in the area where the damaged nerve branches. Concerned about paresthesia, deep and superficial sensitivity are reduced. Signs are accompanied by a violation of the function of the abdominal press, reduced reflexes of the knee and heel.
Damage to internal organs
In parallel with the pain, there is a violation of the function of internal organs. In the area of the thoracic spinal cord, there are centers in charge of the work of the heart, lung system, liver, intestines and kidneys, and pancreas. Shortness of breath, pain and heart problems, such as angina pectoris, can be upsetting. The mammary glands may be sore, or all localized in the area of the right or left hypochondrium, resembling an attack of cholecystitis or pancreatitis.
Inflammation of the throat or esophagus. Symptoms are located in the area of the left hypochondrium or abdomen, similar to the symptoms of gastritis or inflammation of the intestine (colitis, enteritis). Injuries can be from the kidneys and the reproductive system.
Diagnosis
Making the correct diagnosis based on symptoms alone can be difficult. Therefore, the diagnosis involves making an X-ray. It shows characteristic changes that are manifested by osteochondrosis of the thoracic region in the form of reduced disc height, sclerosis of the end plates and the formation of osteophytes.
Additionally, a CT scan is performed if an X-ray does not give a result. The study was supplemented by MR, showing soft tissues, and a diagnosis of disc herniation was made.
Differential diagnosis requires special attention, it is carried out not only on the basis of complaints and clinical manifestations. Thus, pain in the heart area is not affected by drugs used for angina pectoris. Pain in the epigastric region is not affected by food intake and there are no seasonal manifestations of symptoms. Everything appears in the evening and disappears completely after a night's sleep.
Treatment
Treatment involves taking all kinds of medications, these are tablets and injections. They start with drugs that alleviate the inflammatory process, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are traditionally used for this. By removing pain and inflammation, they help relax muscles. Only a doctor should prescribe them, otherwise there is a high risk of complications, and there are contraindications for use. The tablets are taken, as recommended, often after meals, but the doctor can also prescribe injections. Locally, this group of drugs is applied in the form of ointment, which is applied about three times a day.
Analgesics can supplement the group of drugs described above, with severe pain, injections are prescribed by a doctor, if all is not so bad, tablets are also suitable. With pain of significant intensity, the blockade with the drug can be reported directly to the focus of pain, which allows you to quickly eliminate the attack. Special anesthetic ointments can also supplement treatment.
Chondroprotectors allow you to restore the structure of cartilage, but you have to take drugs from this group for a long time. The doctor prescribes, at his discretion, injections or tablets to be taken for the course. Recently, preparations of this group have been presented in the form of ointments, which are applied externally.
Complement full-fledged treatment with antispasmodics. The action is aimed at relaxing the muscles that have acquired arteries and nerves. The pressure decreases, the patient's condition is relieved.
Fats are actively used, act locally, help alleviate pain attacks. Ointments are applied to the painful area, where they warm the skin. It has also been shown that fats are used along the nerves, so that they can more effectively alleviate the onset of pain. In addition to fats, mustard is also capable of treatment
Hormone-based medications, mostly injections, are also used. They are prescribed as a last resort, when it is necessary to alleviate the attack of severe pain. Paraverbal blockade of the affected area of the nerve or root is often used, hormone-based medications are used.
They complete all vitamin-based preparations, injections are given into the muscle. Medicines can be represented by bioactive supplements, whose tablets improve cartilage nutrition and reduce blood pressure.
Physiotherapy
All kinds of techniques are actively used to calm down even a strong attack. In addition to the procedures, you can use medications that act as a kind of blockade. The list of procedures can be presented as follows:
- Shock wave therapy. Due to the shock wave, it restores nutrition and supply to the spine, eliminates the onset of pain and allows you to get rid of inflammation.
- Ultraviolet radiation. Promotes better calcium absorption.
- vibration therapy. Exposure to high-frequency sound improves blood flow, relieves pressure and pain.
- Magnetotherapy. Exposure to a magnetic field improves the vital processes of cells, accelerates regeneration. Darsonval works similarly.
- Electrophoresis. The influence of current, which contributes to the fact that drugs penetrate deeper into tissues.
- Diodynamic. The effect of alternating frequency current effectively reduces pain.
- Swimming. It allows the muscles to relax. It is recommended to swim only in the pool with hot water.
- Balneotherapy. It is used for the treatment of mineral waters and mud. Minerals contribute to the healing process, reducing the pressure on the roots.
- Acupuncture. Provides the effect of thin needles on the active points of the body.
- Manual therapy or massage. Additionally, you can use fats that help relax muscles and release blood vessels and nerves.
Methods are selected strictly individually by the doctor. The main thing is not to start the disease.