Chest osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes and methods of treatment

Osteochondrosis is one of the most frequently diagnosed pathologies of the spine. This pathology has a degenerative-dystrophic nature of origin, affects the intervertebral discs, which leads to their structural and external modifications. Doctors define three types of the disease: cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis, depending on the location of the disorders in the spinal column. If we talk about the statistics of the identified pathologies, it is believed that thoracic osteochondrosis is less common than other types. This is due to the peculiarities of the structure of the human spine in the thoracic region: the intervertebral discs of this part of the back have limited mobility, which significantly reduces the likelihood of their traumatic injury.

What is thoracic osteochondrosis

Identifying the disease is difficult, since its symptoms are often similar to pathological changes in other organs: heart, stomach, and so on. Thoracic osteochondrosis is dangerous in its consequences, therefore its early detection gives more chances for timely correction and prevention of undesirable consequences. The disease is equally often diagnosed in patients of both sexes of different ages, including children. Let us dwell in more detail on the causes of chest osteochondrosis, its symptoms, methods of treatment with medicines and at home.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine manifests itself as degenerative-dystrophic disorders in the structure of the bone, cartilaginous tissue of the vertebrae, which provokes the development of destructive processes in them. In addition to the vertebrae themselves, the intervertebral discs suffer: they stratify, decrease in size, due to which the nerve endings in the intercostal space are pinched. All this together affects the normal functioning of the spine. The treatment started at the wrong time aggravates the situation, which is subsequently solved exclusively with the help of a surgical operation, which cannot always be resolved by the patient for various reasons.

Osteochondrosis of the chest can provoke the development of quite serious and dangerous diseases and conditions. It often becomes the cause of pneumosclerosis, narrowed blood vessels, dysfunctions of the genitourinary system, cancerous pathologies, etc. If osteochondrosis progresses rapidly, this usually limits a person's physical capabilities: it is difficult for him to walk, work, and freely do his usual activities.

With the development of osteochondrosis in patients, the bone component of the vertebrae is initially affected, then the cartilaginous, and, finally, the connective tissue and adjacent muscles.

If signs of osteochondrosis appear in childhood or adolescence, adolescence, then this is a dangerous situation, because it indicates that the person's musculoskeletal system began to age without fully formed and developed. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine in a child is rarely diagnosed. But the detected disease often indicates that there is some other dangerous disease.

Pathology is approximately equally often found in both men and women. There are no age-specific priorities either. But it is worth noting that women are prone to the disease more often during the period of hormonal changes in the body - menopause.

If you start treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine in the early stages, then there is a much better chance that the therapy will give a positive result.

The degree of the disease and characteristic symptoms

The development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is gradual, several stages are different. For the correct organization of the treatment process, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms of its development and progression.

• The initial stage of degenerative-dystrophic processes occurring in the spinal column is characterized by a slight decrease in the size of the intervertebral discs. Minor cracks begin to appear on the surfaces of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral discs. The disc may slightly extend beyond the vertebral column. At the same time, thoracic osteochondrosis of the first degree does not reveal itself as painful sensations, often a person is unaware of an incipient dangerous disease. With the help of computed tomography, disc protrusion (their slight loss) is detected.
• If a person has grade 2 thoracic osteochondrosis, then painful manifestations in the back in the chest area begin to appear. This is explained by the fact that nerve fibers are pinched. The musculo-ligamentous apparatus of the back, i. e. muscle corset, provides optimal support of the spine in the correct anatomical shape. In order to prevent spinal instability, it is extremely important to symmetrically form the muscular structures of the back. Otherwise, there is not only a violation of posture, curvature of the spinal column, but also excessive mobility of its individual elements. It is due to the increased mobility of the vertebrae that the nerve fibers that leave the spine through the intervertebral space are pinched. How is osteochondrosis manifested in the second stage? Back pain at the second stage of thoracic osteochondrosis necessarily appears. It has different characteristics: it can be pulling for a long period of time or short-term, in the form of seizures. The situation is aggravated by the fact that the nerve endings are compressed directly in the muscles, which are regularly in an increased tone.
• Morphological signs of thoracic osteochondrosis of the third degree are very pronounced, they affect all structural anatomical components of the spine. The patient has the following pathological picture: there are hernias and protrusions of the intervertebral discs, muscles and ligaments become inflamed, tears appear on them, the vertebrae are displaced, signs of arthrosis of the vertebral joints develop. The clinical picture of the disease of the spine at the third stage is very diverse. In addition to the fact that a person actually has pain in chest osteochondrosis, the patient loses the tactile reaction of the part of the body where the damaged nerve passes; he has disorders of the autonomic nervous system, which are accompanied by malfunctions of the respiratory and circulatory systems. It becomes difficult for him to breathe, there is pain in the heart, arrhythmia, shortness of breath. In addition, the patient develops arthrosis of several joints at once, and pathological disorders begin in the functioning of the organs that are in the chest area. Similar symptoms appear when the intervertebral cleft decreases by two-thirds of its height. Its size is assessed by a chest X-ray, which is performed in two projections: straight and lateral.
• With the development of degenerative processes in the spine to osteochondrosis of the fourth degree, the intervertebral cleft narrows to a minimum distance, such dangerous conditions as spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis (characterized by pathological changes in the intervertebral joints), spondylolisthesis (the vertebrae are twisted or displaced) develop. The body mobilizes its compensatory capabilities in order to reduce the static and dynamic load on the spinal column, to prevent injuries to anatomical elements, due to which the vertebrae grow, flatten, and grow together with each other. The damaged area of the annulus fibrosus is replaced by a bone structure, osteophytes (bone outgrowths) are formed, due to the prolapse of the vertebral disc, the spinal cord narrows, nerve endings are strongly compressed, the motor activity of the thoracic spine is significantly limited, the person constantly hurts in the chest region from the back.
• As a result of the progression of the disease, the patient has pain shooting in the lower back (lumbago), the legs are completely or partially paralyzed, the person loses the ability to work, becomes disabled.

Various symptomatic manifestations of the disease depend on various reasons, including a person's genetic predisposition. The same symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine disappear in different ways in different patients. There is an objective explanation for this: various causes, conditions of occurrence and the general state of human health lead to osteochondrosis. Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in men appear somewhat earlier than in women. The main reason for this phenomenon lies in the physiological structure of the female body: the hormone estrogen protects the intervertebral discs, therefore, especially favorable conditions for the disease arise during changes in the hormonal background (during pregnancy, menopause).

Many are interested in whether they are taken with osteochondrosis into the army. If a conscript has first degree osteochondrosis, he will be drafted into the army. In the case when a young man has a pronounced symptomatology of the disease, it is observed by a neuropathologist, then a delay is likely, in a neglected state (if there is polysegmental osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine), they may not call at all.

Reasons for the appearance

Thoracic osteochondrosis at the beginning of its occurrence is practically not manifested in anything. However, you need to know why it might appear. The following reasons provoke pathology:

• Regular static or dynamic overstrain of the spine due to active, strength training in professional athletes or people involved in sports without the necessary load control.
• Traumatic damage to the bone, articular elements of the spine often leads to the fact that they do not fuse correctly, rapidly collapse. Any injury to the spinal column is aggravated by pathological changes in the functioning of the structures of the nervous and circulatory systems. The necessary supply of nutrients to the bones is often restored over a very long period of time.
• Poor posture, congenital or acquired curvature of the spinal column, which leads to an unbalanced effect on the intervertebral discs.
• Sharp lifting of weights, when the overwhelming part of the load falls on the chest region of the back. If a person constantly performs such movements, then the likelihood of developing chest osteochondrosis is high.

• Disorders in the endocrine system. In the case when metabolic processes are disturbed in the body, all other organs and tissues do not receive the necessary nutrients, and their regeneration is also incorrect.
• Genetic prerequisites for possible pathological processes in the vertebrae, intervertebral discs. In this case, thoracic osteochondrosis manifests itself in absolutely any age category.
• Insufficient physical and physical activity of a person, sedentary work. The muscular frame of the back in this situation weakens, tissue nutrition deteriorates, the flexibility of the spine decreases, and the risk of developing thoracic osteochondrosis increases significantly.
• Underdevelopment of all tissues of the musculoskeletal system, which causes degenerative disorders in the spine. The cause is an unbalanced, excessive load on the spinal column.
• Various pathological changes in the intervertebral discs. They can become thinner or, conversely, grow, osteophytes can appear on them, interfering with the functioning of joints, as well as damaging blood vessels and exerting compression on nerve fibers. The development of intervertebral hernias often provokes the progression of osteochondrosis.
• Inflammatory processes in the spine or nearby muscles often cause signs of thoracic osteochondrosis in women and men.
• Impaired blood supply to the spinal cord, due to the fact that veins and arteries are narrowed or squeezed.
• The consequences of infectious diseases are the development or exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
• Hypothermia, abuse of bad habits, nutritional imbalance.
• Separately, psychosomatics is distinguished, that is, constant stress, nervous excitement can also cause osteochondrosis.

There are quite a few reasons for the development of chest osteochondrosis, therefore, in order to prevent its development, you need to pay attention to prevention.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms of breast osteochondrosis in women and men are similar. Usually, a progressive disease during an exacerbation is manifested by the following symptoms.

• Strong pain in the thoracic spine. They arise from a long stay in an uncomfortable position during physical labor.
• Radicular syndrome, as a result of compression of nerve endings.
• Intercostal neuralgia.
• The appearance of spasms in the muscles of the back.
• An altered state of the heart muscle, in which the pain is not relieved by taking special medications.

Additionally, during an attack of thoracic osteochondrosis, the patient may experience atypical symptoms: tachycardia, dizziness, heartburn, increased or decreased blood pressure. Body temperature, as a rule, does not change.

Diagnostic techniques

If the doctor assumes that the patient has osteochondrosis, then he will propose to undergo the following studies to diagnose pathology.

• X-ray examination, during which they determine: the boundaries and size of the intervertebral discs, existing bone growths, changes in the shape of the vertebrae, etc.
• Radiography with a contrast agent allows you to assess the degree of destruction of the discs when diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.

• CT or MRI shows a layer-by-layer display of altered structures. These techniques are used in the most difficult situations.
• With the help of electromyography, neurological signs associated with a disease in the thoracic region are differentiated.

The main rules of treatment

When treating osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, the following key points are observed:

1. With the initial manifestations of signs of osteochondrosis, you can prevent its further development by correcting your posture.
2. Any, even minor, symptoms of the disease require conservative therapy.
3. To achieve a positive result in treatment, a long-term and systemic application of additional techniques to drug therapy is required.
4. If the disease is neglected, then surgery is required.

When deciding how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, the doctor will take into account the stage of development of the disease, the individual characteristics of the patient, as well as possible side reactions of the body.

Drug treatment

Conservative therapy involves the use of the following groups of drugs.

• To reduce the manifestation of pain and inflammation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, or glucocorticosteroids are prescribed. They are available in different pharmacological forms (tablets, solutions for injections, ointments), therefore, how exactly to treat the disease, the doctor will advise.
• Chondroprotectors are used to stimulate the restoration of cartilage tissue.
• To relieve muscle spasms, antispasmodics and muscle relaxants are used.
• To relieve unbearable back pain, the patient may be offered to give injections for osteochondrosis - to carry out a blockade with the help of anesthetic medications.

As a combined treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis, the possibilities of the following additional treatment methods are widely used.

1. With the help of acupuncture, you can quickly get the result - relief from pain. The advantages of the technique include: high efficiency in a short time, rare occurrence of side reactions of the body, an insignificant list of contraindications, a painless technique. Acupuncture is not practiced if a person is diagnosed with the presence of malignant neoplasms, there are mental disorders, during an exacerbation of inflammation and pregnancy. The duration of treatment is selected individually.
2. Through the possibilities of manual therapy, the blood supply to the damaged areas of the body improves, the intensity of pain decreases, muscle spasm is eliminated, ligaments are restored, the development of osteochondrosis slows down.
3. Treatment of osteochondrosis with the help of physiotherapy is practiced everywhere, because, using them, drugs are injected into the sore spot. This is how, for example, electrophoresis with NSAIDs, glucocorticosteroids, etc. is used. In addition to electrophoresis, UHF, magnetotherapy, and vacuum are often prescribed. The main goal, which is achieved by physiotherapy techniques, is improved blood circulation in the painful area.
4. To relieve spasms in the back muscles, a course of massage is often prescribed. Classical massage is used during remission, and vibration massage - in an acute period. If the patient has an intervertebral hernia, then it is not recommended to use massage techniques.
5. Physical therapy is of great importance in treatment. The specific set of exercises in each case is selected by the doctor individually.
6. During the treatment of osteochondrosis, diet is important. In the patient's diet, it is imperative to include proteins in the required amount, chondroitin (for this you need to eat jelly, jellied meat, aspic dishes), vegetables, fruits. You can't overeat; exclude the use of fried and fatty foods.

How to treat chest osteochondrosis at home

Treatment with folk remedies can also be practiced, but before using any of them, you should consult your doctor. The following recipes are popular.

• To prepare an infusion from celery root, take 3-4 g of raw materials, grind, pour 1 liter of boiling water. After 8 hours, filter the infusion, drink up to three times a day with a dessert spoon.
• To prepare the broth, take 2-3 sunflower roots, cut them into pieces about 1 cm, pour three liters of boiling water and boil for another 3 minutes. The remedy is used like tea.
• At home, you can prepare an ointment to rub sore spots. 150g of pork fat is mixed with 2 tbsp. l. wax, heated for 20 minutes in a water bath, then add 1 tbsp. l. fir oil, continue to heat the same amount, then add 1 tbsp. l. ammonia. The product is stored in a glass container in a cool place.

Treatment of chest osteochondrosis at home is usually used in the mild period or as an adjunct to medications during an exacerbation.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease that must be taken seriously in order to avoid negative consequences. For its successful treatment, you should carefully consider the advice of a doctor and follow them disciplinedly.