Pain, restriction of movements 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 chest level and below, so that no one, except the doctor, can understand what is happening. Osteochondrosis appears as a consequence of degenerative-dystrophic processes in which 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 the laws according to which it develops. Doctors are more or less clear about the reasons, but the mechanism of development remains somehow in the "shadow".
Causes and development of the disease
Any part of the column 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 internal component begins to protrude outwards.
The disc is nourished, like any other cartilage, in a special way: when pressed it releases liquid from itself, and when the pressure is released, like a sponge, it absorbs all the nutrients. This mechanism does not work during prolonged static postures or during exercise, when constant pressure is applied to the disc. Daily morning exercises have a positive effect on nutrition.
degeneration stages
To better understand the symptoms, you need to understand what stages the intervertebral disc goes through and what happens to it. As, however, throughout the spine.
At the first stage, there is no pain, and the attack does not manifest itself in any way, but the process has already begun, the internal part is already moving freely.
At the second stage, an attack of pain is already fully felt, root symptoms join, a person actively uses ointments, but the cause is not resolved. The disc gradually protrudes and begins to squeeze the spinal cord. At the third stage, an attack of pain, manifested mainly in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, becomes brighter and more intense, ointments do not help. The disc gradually protrudes, its protrusion occurs.
The last stage leads to the appearance of signs of damage outside the components of the disk. The clinical picture is characterized by compression of the roots, blood vessels and the spinal cord itself. As a result, a pain attack of considerable intensity develops.
The body does everything to reduce pain, as a result, characteristic growths - osteophytes - appear on the spine. The roots of the spinal cord are compressed as a result of the narrowing of the intervertebral foramina. Pressure leads to the fact that the rest of the internal organs are affected. His treatment does not produce any results, which sometimes confuses the doctor.
disease symptoms
Very often, the cause of the defeat of this particular section of the spine lies in a sedentary lifestyle, by clarifying this circumstance, the diagnosis is greatly facilitated. Pressure is usually exerted if a person sits in front of a computer or in a chair for a long time. The pain is mainly dull in nature, then turns into aching and burning. It is located in the middle, between the shoulder blades, there is some compression in the chest area.
If you try to feel the region of the spinous and transverse processes of the spine, the pain will increase significantly.
Diagnosis is simplified by tension of the paravertebral muscles. The signs are intensified if you ask the patient to take a deep breath, make turns with the body.
Some patients note pain in the scapula or lower thoracic spine. This is called posterior rib syndrome and occurs as a result of displacement of the lower ribs. The pain may go away suddenly, but can intensify during turns.
The signs are manifested by pain in the waist along the intercostal spaces, this is where the nerve passes. Sensation is affected in the area where the damaged nerve branches. Worried about paresthesias, deep and superficial sensitivity are reduced. Signs are accompanied by a violation of the function of the abdominal press, knee and heel reflexes are reduced.
Damage to internal organs
In parallel with the pain, there is a violation of the function of the internal organs. In the region of the thoracic spinal cord there are centers responsible for the work of the heart, pulmonary system, liver, intestines and kidneys, pancreas. Shortness of breath, pain and interruptions in the work of the heart, resembling angina pectoris, can bother. The mammary glands may ache, or everything is localized in the region of the right or left hypochondrium, resembling an attack of cholecystitis or pancreatitis.
Sore throat or esophagus. The symptoms are located in the region of the left hypochondrium or abdomen, resembling the symptoms of gastritis or intestinal inflammation (colitis, enteritis). Violations can be of the kidneys and the reproductive system.
Diagnosis
Establishing a correct diagnosis based solely on symptoms can be difficult. That is why the diagnosis involves the production of an X-ray. It is on it that characteristic changes are visible, manifesting osteochondrosis of the thoracic region in the form of a decrease in the height of the discs, sclerosis of the end plates and the formation of osteophytes.
In addition, a CT scan is done if the X-ray is unsuccessful. The study is complemented with magnetic resonance, it shows soft tissues, for which the diagnosis of disc herniation is established.
Differential diagnosis requires special attention, it is carried out not only on the basis of complaints and clinical manifestations. Therefore, pain in the heart area is not affected by the drugs used for angina. Pain in the epigastric region is not affected by food intake and there are no seasonal manifestations of symptoms. Everything appears at night and completely disappears after a night's sleep.
Treatment
Treatment consists of taking all kinds of medications, these are pills and injections. They start with drugs that relieve the inflammatory process, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are traditionally used for this. Eliminating pain and inflammation, they help relax the muscles. Only a doctor should prescribe them, otherwise there is a high risk of complications and there are contraindications to their use. The tablets are taken, according to the recommendation, often after meals, but the doctor can also prescribe injections. Locally, this group of drugs is applied in the form of an ointment, which 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, then 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 eliminate the attack. Special anesthetic ointments can also complement the treatment.
Chondroprotectors allow you to restore the structure of cartilage, but you have to take drugs in this group for a long time. The doctor prescribes, at his discretion, injections or pills that are taken in courses. Recently, the preparations of this group are presented in the form of an ointment, which is applied externally.
Supplement the full treatment with drugs from the antispasmodic group. The action is aimed at relaxing the muscles that are pinched in the arteries and nerves. The pressure decreases, the patient's condition is facilitated.
Ointments are used actively, they act locally and help relieve a pain attack. Ointments are applied to the sore area, where they warm the skin. In addition, ointments are shown to be used along the nerves, so they can relieve a pain attack more effectively. Supplement, in addition to ointment, treatment is capable of mustard plasters.
Hormone-based drugs, mainly injections, are also used. 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 the nerve or root is often used, drugs are used based on hormones.
They supplement all vitamin-based preparations, injections are made into the muscle. Medicines can be represented by bioactive supplements, the tablets of which improve cartilage nutrition and relieve pressure.
Physiotherapy
All kinds of techniques are actively used to help pacify even a strong attack. With procedures, you can use drugs that act as a kind of blockade. The list of procedures can be represented as follows:
- Shock wave therapy. Due to the shock wave, it restores nutrition and blood supply to the spine, eliminates a pain attack, allows you to get rid of inflammation.
- ultraviolet irradiation. 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 acts in a similar way.
- Electrophoresis. The impact of the current, which contributes to the fact that drugs penetrate deeper into the tissues.
- Diodynamik. The impact of variable frequency current effectively reduces pain.
- Swimming. It allows the muscles to relax. It is recommended to swim only in a pool with warm water.
- Balneotherapy. Use for the treatment of mineral water and sludge. Minerals contribute to the healing process, the pressure on the roots is reduced.
- Acupuncture. Prevents the impact of fine needles on the active points of the body.
- Manual therapy or massage. In addition, you can use ointments that help relax muscles and free blood vessels and nerves.
Methods are selected strictly individually by a doctor. The main thing is not to start the disease.