The most common cause of upper and middle back pain is cervicothoracic osteochondrosis. And although this slowly progressing pathology is not fatal, it significantly impairs a person's quality of life, and in some cases can cause damage. And only the maximum possible elimination of the factors leading to uneven pressure on the segments of the movement of the spine can slow down the irreversible processes of biological aging and thus alleviate the condition.
Causes of degenerative lesions of the spine
Osteochondrosis of the cervical-thoracic region is a multifactorial pathology of the intervertebral discs connecting 7 cervical and 12 thoracic vertebrae. The most common causes of degenerative changes are:
- gravity (shift of the center of gravity and redistribution of the axial load)
- prolonged forced labor
- vibration
- hypodynamia
- autoimmune diseases
- spinal congestion associated with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (deformities, flat feet)
- infectious and inflammatory processes in nearby structures
- metabolic disorders
- hereditary abnormalities in connective tissue development
- traumatic injuries
- excessive static or dynamic loads
- hormonal imbalance
To provoke an exacerbation of osteochondrosis in men and women can be stress, prolonged nervous tension, malnutrition, hypothermia.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck and chest
Degenerative processes in the affected intervertebral discs are accompanied by local pain syndromes and reference pain. Due to impaired blood supply to the brain, patients complain of cephalgia, dizziness, "flies" in front of the eyes, pain in the shoulder or the entire upper limb, in the intercostal and interscapular area. There is discomfort, tingling in the neck, chest, abdomen, periodic painful pulsation in the ear or temple, pain when coughing and sneezing.
After a long stay in a forced position, a feeling of pressure appears. Cervical thoracic osteochondrosis often presents with typical cardiac symptoms, which greatly complicates the diagnosis. Additional signs should include tingling in certain areas of the skin, digestive disorders, increasing pain with deep breathing, shortness of breath in the supine position.
Stages of osteochondrosis
The pathological process has 4 stages of development:
I - swelling and movement of the pulpal substance inside the disc, irritation of the peripheral nerve endings. Lumbago of the cervix and chest appear against the background of physical activity
II - cracking of the fibrous ring, violation of fixation between the bodies of the vertebrae, instability of the spinal segments. Accompanied by constant muscle tension, functional blockades, limited mobility
III - rupture of the disc membrane and protrusion of the pulpal nucleus (hernia). Neurological syndromes of root compression are manifested by reflex prolapse, weakness, atrophy, impaired sensitivity in the area of innervation II - rupture of the fibrous ring, impaired fixation between the bodies of the vertebrae, instability of the spinal segments. Accompanied by constant muscle tension, functional blockades, limited mobility
IV - degenerative lesion of all components of the intervertebral symphysis. Due to the mineralization and compaction of the disc, osteoarthritis of the facet joints develops and mobility in the affected area is significantly limited.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of vertebrogenic pathology is performed in a complex, including:
- collection of vital and pathological anamnesis
- physical examination in a static position
- diagnostic tests (examination of disorders of active and passive movements)
- determination of neurological status
- A simple X-ray with two projections of the spine
- CT
- NMR
In a professional clinic, when diagnosing various dorsopathies, magnetic resonance imaging is performed in combination with manual examination. The combined use of these methods provides complete information about the localization of the areas of discogenic disorders, the structure and metabolic activity of cells, the condition of all soft tissue components.
Which doctor to go to
A neurologist treats patients with vertebrogenic diseases. You may also need the help of a chiropractor, a spinal surgeon.
How to treat cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
Treatment of cervical and thoracic osteochondrosis includes:
- medicines for pain, swelling and inflammation
- manual therapy
- massage and self-massage;
- physiotherapy procedures (UVI, electrophoresis, laser, magnetic therapy, DDT)
- reflexology
- physiotherapy exercises
- corsetting, gluing
- post-isometric relaxation
If osteochondrosis is complicated by an intervertebral hernia, surgery is recommended.
Effects
Indifference to health and neglect of medical recommendations can lead to active progression of the pathological process and the development of various reflex and compression syndromes:
- chronic cervicocranialgia and thoracalgia (headache coming from the cervical region, chest pain)
- limiting the tilt of the head in the direction opposite to the lesion
- autonomic disorders of the upper extremities
- problems with the senses of the hands and fingers
- dysfunction of internal organs
- partial immobilization of the spine
- damage
Prevention of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
To minimize the impact of negative factors, it is recommended to regularly perform exercises aimed at strengthening the muscular framework. It is very important during long monotonous work to monitor the posture, to change the position of the body more often, to avoid movements with large amplitude and to protect yourself from hypothermia and currents.