Messengers of the disease: symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis

Thoracic osteochondrosisis a degenerative-dystrophic disease in the middle parts of the spine.It occurs much less frequently than lumbar and even cervical osteochondrosis and accounts for about 10% of all cases of the disease.Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are associated with several features of the spine in the thoracic region: rigid fixation of the vertebrae due to the ribs and skeletal muscles and less mobility, a semicircular bend of the ridge in this region and the corresponding distribution of the load.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis begin with a violation of tissue trophism and dehydration of the intervertebral discs.Lack of nutrients and fluid leads to the fact that cartilage loses its elasticity, begins to crack and “sag”.This state of affairs is fraught with compression of the nerve roots, deterioration of sensitivity and functioning of internal organs, as well as severe pain.Often the destruction of the vertebrae in the thoracic region is accompanied by the appearanceosteophytes- bone outgrowths that injure the paravertebral tissues and lead to chronic inflammation.

Contrary to popular belief, thoracic osteochondrosis is not a natural age-related process and requires special treatment.The onset of the disease may occur at agefrom 25 years old;approximately 70% of the total number of patients are women aged 35 to 55 years.Since the disease begins long before retirement age,it can lead to limitations and even loss of ability to work.

Unlike other types of osteochondrosis, thoracic osteochondrosis may not manifest itself for a long time - or disguise itself as other pathologies, which is why it is called a chameleon disease.It is also the most difficult to treat.Therefore it is very importantMonitor your symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in a timely manner- and today we will tell you which ones.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis

The feeling of pain in the sternum with thoracic osteochondrosis is a symptom,mistaken by patients for heart pain.Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are characterized by intensification at night.They manifest themselves especially clearly when trying to straighten your back or, on the contrary, slouch, arch your back into a dome.

The severity of symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis directly depends on the stage of the osteochondrosis disease.At the same time, negative sensations with symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis may manifest themselves weakly (osteophytes often grow on the surfaces of the vertebrae, where there are practically no nerve endings, and the muscle corset compensates for the load for some time).

In addition to pain in the sternum and between the shoulder blades, patients often complain of the following radicular and reflex symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:

• a feeling of cold, burning and tingling in the chest, at the base of the neck, in the abdomen;
• muscle tension (difficulty relaxing your back);
• a feeling of pain in the sternum (a symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis, which is one of the first to appear);
• increased heart rate, feeling of pulsation in the chest;
• a feeling of “pins and needles” inside the chest, which is often accompanied by causeless anxiety or increases with stress;
• numbness of soft tissues (skin and muscles) near the spine, in the shoulders, especially noticeable when pressed or in contact with hot and cold surfaces;
• with thoracic osteochondrosis it is difficult to breathe;
• feeling of coldness in the hands and feet, pale or bluish skin on the hands;
• weakness, inhibition of reflex reactions in the affected area;
• disturbances in the functioning of the digestive organs, colic, stool disorders;
• the appearance of areas of skin with obvious nutritional disorders (peeling, pallor, thinning or, conversely, thickening of the skin);
• feeling of a lump in the chest, discomfort when swallowing large pieces of food;
• characteristic cough with thoracic osteochondrosis;
• digestive symptoms (dyspepsia, loss of appetite, nausea, heartburn, bloating);
• increased fatigue, feeling very tired in the morning (“broken” state);
• change in gait (usually stooping, unsteadiness);
• intercostal neuralgia.

The symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis can feel like they are a stomach or intestinal ulcer, angina pectoris, gastritis or a heart attack.Sometimes it is mistaken for renal or cardiac colic, cholecystitis or pancreatitis.Indeed: advanced thoracic osteochondrosis can cause malfunctions in the gallbladder (for example, sediment formation) and intestines, and dysfunction of the heart vessels.

The specificity of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the location of the problem:

• 1st-2nd thoracic vertebrae- pain radiates to the collarbone, armpit, and can reach the shoulders;
• 3-6th vertebrae- patients are bothered by girdling pains above the chest, which are similar to pain in the heart or mammary glands;
• 7-8th vertebrae- pain in the solar plexus, which imitates diseases of the internal organs (stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas).There is also inhibition of the epigastric reflex (contraction of the abdominal muscles when passing the instrument along the line of the lower rib);
• 9-10th vertebrae- here osteochondrosis can cause sharp pain in the abdomen and under the ribs, inhibit the mesogastric reflex (when a tool draws a horizontal line at the level of the navel);
• 11-12th vertebrae- can initiate groin pain, diseases of the internal genital organs and intestines.Reduces the hypogastric response (by drawing a line in the lower abdomen parallel to the inguinal fold).

Difficulty breathing

During physical activity (for example, climbing a couple of floors of stairs), patients find it difficult to breathe.With thoracic osteochondrosis, severe shortness of breath is observed.Patients often describe this sensation as “breathless.”Similar symptoms can be observed during sleep: in an unsuccessful position, patients dream of lack of air, their ears may become blocked (at the same time a strong pulsation can be heard), and severe chest spasms occur.

Often the feeling that it is hard to breathe with thoracic osteochondrosis is accompanied by girdle pain in the back and ribs, as well as subcostal pain.

Increased heart rate

Even after light exertion, which previously went unnoticed, patients complain of increased heart rate, feeling as if the heart is trying to jump out of the chest.At first, increased heart rate may be caused by spastic contractions of the muscles and chest or a violation of tissue trophism, but over time, this dangerous symptom can actually outgrow angina pectoris, coronary heart disease and even lead to a heart attack.

In addition to increased heart rate, patients often note an accompanying feeling of panic, fear of death, or increased background anxiety.In some cases, against the background of thoracic osteochondrosis, real panic attacks can be observed.

Chest pain

The most telling symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis isfeeling of pain in the sternum.These include sharp shooting pains and a feeling of pressure in the chest, as well as intercostal pain when walking.Chest pain tends to intensify after a long stay in one position, hypothermia, turning the body and bending (especially with a turn), raising the arms.Carrying heavy objects, playing sports, taking deep breaths, and sleeping still can also increase pain.It should be remembered that due to the low mobility of the thoracic spine, osteochondrosis in this part of the back is characterized by dull, aching, pressing and throbbing pain.Acute prolonged pain in thoracic osteochondrosis is very rare, which is why patients tend to ignore the pathology for a long time.

Vertebral painIn osteochondrosis of the spine, it is customary to divide into dorsago and dorsalgia.Dorsago- these are spontaneous shooting pains, which, as a rule, do not last long and go away when changing position.Dorsago usually cause accidental root pinching.Dorsalgiaare long-lasting (about 2-3 weeks) and are associated with permanent disruption of blood circulation or nerve conduction.They make themselves felt by burning, stinging pain.

The pain intensifies when coughing and can be mistaken by patients for a spinal hernia.However, with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, hernias are extremely rare.Don't write off the main symptom(feeling of pain in the sternum with thoracic osteochondrosis)for vertebral displacement - its likelihood is extremely low compared to degenerative-dystrophic changes!

Cough with thoracic osteochondrosis

Cough with thoracic osteochondrosis is often observed in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, and their work duties involve prolonged sitting (office workers, operators, drivers).Maintaining this posture, which is difficult for the human spine, causes chronic muscle strain, spasms and tightness.Spasticityis both a cause and a consequence of the fact that the cervical and thoraco-girdle area suffers from insufficient movement.At night, in positions that compress the spine, spasms and irritation of the spinal roots only intensify, causing severe coughing.If the upper thoracic vertebrae are affected, a cough due to thoracic osteochondrosis may be accompanied by pain in the esophagus, a feeling as if something is stuck in the chest.

During coughing attacks with thoracic osteochondrosis, it becomes painful for patients to breathe;It becomes difficult to take a deep breath.

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis and its prevention

Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is intended to stop or at least slow down degenerative changes, restore normal back mobility and eliminate symptoms that cause discomfort to the patient.

Therapeutic treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis involves the simultaneous use of:

• medicines(chondroprotectors, neuroprotectors, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics);
• methods of physiotherapeutic complex;
• therapeutic exercises;
• orthopedic regime.

Patients are also advised to change their diet and lifestyle.

In case of severe irreversible changes in the intervertebral jointsin which pain and nerve conduction disorders are not relieved by medications,surgery is recommended for patients.It helps stop the death of nerve tissue and prevent life-threatening or disabling consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis.Depending on the situation, complete or partial resection of the intervertebral disc or its replacement with an artificial one, narrowing of the spinal canal or other surgery may be indicated.

Physiotherapy

The objectives of physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are to reduce pain and inflammation, relieve spasms, strengthen the muscle corset, restore the function of the nerve roots and normal blood circulation.

To relieve the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following are successfully used:

• Magnetotherapy- one of the most effective anti-inflammatory techniques.Improves metabolic processes in tissues and relieves swelling.
• Laser therapy.Promotes biological activation of regenerative processes.Helps eliminate the consequences of trophic disorders and relieve inflammation.
• Drug electrophoresis.Allows you to restore tissue nutrition and relieve inflammation - the effect of the procedure depends on the medications used.
• Medicinal phonophoresis.Ensures deep penetration of the active ingredients of medications into soft tissues.
• Therapeutic massage.Helps relax muscles, eliminate tension and improve the supply of nutrients to the tissues of the spine.In the early stages, it eliminates the main symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis - the feeling of pain in the sternum - in a few sessions.
• Acupuncture.Stimulation of muscles and nerve endings helps relieve pain, restore sensitivity and eliminate swelling.
• Ultrahigh frequency therapy.Increases the permeability of capillary walls, improves blood flow and ensures the flow of protective cells into the site of inflammation.
• Shock wave therapy.It starts the processes of restoration of bone and cartilage tissue, prevents the deposition of calcium salts on the vertebral surfaces.
• Balneotherapy.As a rule, mud and ozokerite applications are used, less often paraffin.Radon and hydromassage baths are also recommended for patients.They help improve metabolism and restore sensitivity in affected tissues.
• Amplipulsetherapy.It has a neurostimulating, analgesic and trophic effect, activates metabolic processes, and facilitates breathing.
• Kinesitherapy(physical therapy, massage, traction therapy, kinesio taping).Allows you to strengthen ligaments and skeletal muscles, restore mobility in the back and eliminate even persistent spasticity.Prevents the formation of osteophytes and narrowing of the canals in which the spinal roots are located.

In addition to physical therapy sessions, for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, patients may be recommended an orthopedic corset, which allows them to relieve the load on the spine.

Exercise therapy and massage

Therapeutic exercises and massage help strengthen the back muscles and relieve stress on the spine.With daily sessions, they help achieve stable drug-free remission, increase range of motion, and eliminate neurological manifestations of the disease.These treatment methods also prevent complications of osteochondrosis..For example, congestion in the lungs (with thoracic osteochondrosis it is difficult to breathe deeply), due to which patients are susceptible to pneumonia, as well as coronary heart disease.

Dosed physical activity helps relieve compression of the nerve roots, improve blood circulation and nutrition of the intervertebral discs.The optimal frequency and duration of gymnastic classes is determined by the exercise therapy instructor.As a rule,3-4 exercises for 10-15 minutes a day are enough.

The exercises recommended for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis include the following:

1. Stand straight, feet together, hands at your sides.As you exhale, raise your arms up and bend back, then inhale deeply.Lower your arms and lean forward, slightly arching your back in a dome-shaped manner (to do this, lower your head and shoulders as you exhale).
2. Sit on a chair and, while inhaling, place your hands behind your head.Bend back and rest your shoulder blades on the back of the chair, exhaling.
3. Get on all fours and arch your back.After maintaining the position for 3 seconds, bend your back with a crampon.
4. Lying on the floor on your stomach, place your palms on the floor and, raising yourself on your arms, try to move your head as far back as possible, lifting your chest off the floor.
5. Lie on your stomach and extend your arms at your sides.Perform the “yoke” exercise, trying to simultaneously raise your head and legs.
6. Sit on the floor and stretch your legs in front of you.Reach the fingers of your right hand to the toe of your left foot and vice versa.
7. Do a plank exercise (about 30 seconds).
8. Perform hangs on the horizontal bar (or, in the absence of a horizontal bar, secure your fingers on the door frame and try to stretch your back as much as possible).

Bends to the side while raising your arm will also be helpful.All exercises should be done8 to 10 times.

To treat thoracic osteochondrosis, various massage techniques are used, incl.acupressure and vacuum massage.For self-massage at home, patients are recommended the following movements:

• stroking the cervical-collar, scapular and axillary areas;
• squeezing with thumb and forefinger(grabbing skin and soft tissues);
• trituration;
• kneading(it should be performed extremely carefully; it is advisable to entrust this technique to a specialist).

Massage should not be performed during exacerbations of the disease or during severe inflammation.

Drug treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

To treat the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following groups of drugs are used:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)- help relieve pain, calm inflammation and disperse swelling.They can be used both systemically (in the form of tablets, capsules and injections) and locally (in the form of ointments, gels, creams, compresses and solutions for medicinal electrophoresis).
• Hormonal drugs- to eliminate acute and chronic neurological pain.Used in cases where NSAIDs demonstrate insufficient effectiveness.
• Muscle relaxants- prescribed to reduce muscle tone and eliminate spasms of skeletal muscles.This helps alleviate pain and has a positive effect on tissue trophism.
• Circulation correctors- strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve blood circulation in small capillaries that nourish the periosteum and other structural elements of the vertebral joints.Reduce discomfort and reduce the risk of complications.
• Neuroprotectors- to preserve and restore sensitivity during compression of nerve roots and relieve neurological symptoms.This group also includes cholinesterase inhibitors, which improve nerve impulse transmission and help restore normal muscle tone.

For structural restoration of tissues affected by the degenerative process, the following are used in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis:

• chondroprotectors- essential bioactive substances that trigger the processes of regeneration of cartilage and bone tissue.Serves to prevent the growth of osteophytes and narrowing of the spinal canal.They help a weakened body grow stable and resilient cartilage cells.Taking chondroprotectors significantly improves the shock-absorbing properties of intervertebral discs, making them more elastic and resistant to damage;
• vitamin complexes- contribute to the normalization of metabolic processes and prevent excess oxidation in tissues.

To relieve excruciating pain that interferes with the patient’s daily activities, the doctor may recommend a medical blockade with anesthetics.Diuretics are used to eliminate swelling and relieve compressed nerves and blood vessels.

Prevention of thoracic osteochondrosis

To prevent symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, you should:

1. Take care to maintain healthy posture.This is facilitated by walking, swimming and therapeutic exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back, chest, abs, and shoulder complex.
2. When working sedentarily, properly arrange your workplace and perform physical warm-up whenever your back and neck begin to become stiff (ideally, bend to the sides, stretch, and rotate your shoulders every 2 hours).
3. Avoid back injuries and promptly seek help from an orthopedic traumatologist, even in the case of a seemingly insignificant bruise.You should not trigger other diseases of the musculoskeletal system - especially in the joints of the lower extremities.
4. If possible, unload the spine during the day (to do this, just lie on the floor for 40 minutes).
5. Protect yourself from hypothermia and stress.
6. Take chondroprotectors to protect joints for at least 3 months a year.Regardless of the strength of the muscular corset, the human spine is anatomically not adapted to vertical loads, and therefore requires additional support.
7. Adjust weight if it is overweight.In addition to maintaining a low-carb diet, you should eat a diet high in vitamins and minerals.In the spring and autumn, they can be taken in tablet form.
8. Sports activities that involve jumping from heights or lifting heavy weights should be limited.
9. It is advisable to sleep on a semi-rigid bed, and for prolonged sitting, choose hard furniture.This helps maintain muscle tone and relieve stress on the spine.If possible, you should purchase an orthopedic mattress and shoe insoles.
10. Do not lift loads weighing more than 10 kg.The load should be distributed evenly, with muscle tension and without transferring to one side.If necessary, use a special sports corset.It is undesirable to hold loads in outstretched arms for a long time.
11. Women should avoid wearing high-heeled shoes.The optimal heel height is 2-4 cm.

These recommendations will also be useful for those who are already sick - they will have a beneficial effect on the condition of the spine and will help to significantly slow down pathological changes.

And remember: the main thing in the prevention of thoracic osteochondrosis is consistent adherence to healthy habits.

Let chest pain never bother you!