Recently, doctors are increasingly receiving complaints about back pain, and young women often suffer from them. If the discomfort is localized in the chest, then it may be caused by a disease such as thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are described in detail below.
Thoracic osteochondrosis - causes
Osteochondrosis of the spine is a pathology in which negative changes occur in the tissues of the intervertebral discs - elements of the spine located between the bodies of the two vertebrae. The intervertebral disc is a type of flat circular pad consisting of a gel-like collagen core, connective fibrous and vitreous cartilage tissue. The main functions performed by these structures are:
- connection and retention of adjacent vertebral bone bodies;
- cushioning protection of the spine, protecting against injury due to body gravity and loads;
- ensuring the mobility of adjacent vertebrae relative to each other.
If the intervertebral discs are in a satisfactory functional state, the spine is equipped with elasticity, mobility and the ability to withstand various mechanical loads. When the cartilage structure changes shape, texture, loses strength and elasticity, these functions cannot be fully performed. Basically, this happens against the background of metabolic disorders.
In part, the pathological changes in the intervertebral discs that cause thoracic osteochondrosis are explained by the fact that with age their nutrition through their own blood vessels stops and the supply of nutrients becomes possible only due to neighboring structures (ligaments, vertebral bodies). The exact causes of poor nutrition of the intervertebral structures and the mechanism of their destruction are unknown, but doctors have identified a number of predisposing factors:
- systemic metabolic disorders in the body;
- excessive body weight;
- poor nutrition, drinking regime;
- inaction;
- sedentary work;
- bad posture;
- flat feet;
- injury to the back, spine;
- intense physical work or sports training;
- pregnancy;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes, high heels.
Degrees of thoracic osteochondrosis
A disease such as thoracic osteochondrosis does not show symptoms immediately, because it develops gradually and over a long period of time. In addition, due to the low mobility of the spine in this area, osteochondrosis of the chest manifests itself in the later stages, in the presence of significant pathological changes. In total, four degrees of pathology are distinguished depending on the developed deviations.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 1 degree
The preclinical stage is the 1st degree of osteochondrosis of the chest. At this stage, partial dehydration and compaction of the central part of the intervertebral discs occurs, their height decreases, which leads to a decrease in their elasticity and stiffness. The ability of the spine to withstand the usual loads is still preserved. Disc bulges begin to form.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 2 degree
When grade 2 thoracic osteochondrosis develops, the disease is characterized by the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring. The discs continue to sag (thinning), the amount of intervertebral fluid significantly decreases, and the vertebrae begin to rub against each other as the load on the back increases. This stage is sometimes called discogenic sciatica.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 3rd degree
Osteochondrosis of the chest of the 3rd degree is accompanied by destruction and tearing of the fibrous tissues of the disc, release of the main part, i. e. the formation of a hernial protrusion of the intervertebral disc occurs. As a result, nerve roots begin to be compressed, nearby vessels are compressed, and veins and arteries are compressed.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 4 degrees
The last, most severe stage of the disease is characterized by displacement, twisting, deformation of the vertebral bodies, further increase in their area and proliferation. The affected fibrous disc tissue begins to be replaced by bone tissue in the form of specific growths - osteophytes, pressing on the spinal cord. As a result, the mobility of the spine is significantly reduced.
Osteochondrosis of the chest - symptoms
Due to the peculiarities of the localization of pathological processes, osteochondrosis of the chest has both typical and atypical symptoms, repeating the manifestations of other diseases. This is due to the fact that due to compression of blood vessels and nerve fibers, structural changes in the spine, the functions of nearby internal organs are impaired.
Let's list which symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are characteristic and most common:
- back and chest pain;
- feeling of pressure in the chest;
- numbness of the limbs;
- numbness in arms, legs, neck, shoulders;
- stiffness, pain in the back and limbs;
- muscle spasms in the upper and middle back;
- limited mobility of the spine in this area (difficult bending of the body).
Pain due to osteochondrosis of the chest
When diagnosing "thoracic osteochondrosis", symptoms related to pain come to the fore among other complaints. Their intensity and duration depends on the stage of the pathological process. The localization of pain can periodically change rapidly, for example, moving from one area of the chest to another, covering the entire chest. Pain is often felt in the area between the shoulder blades. The nature of pain in thoracic osteochondrosis is dull, compressing, sharp. Increased pain is observed at night and in:
- raising arms up;
- turning the neck;
- carrying heavy objects;
- sudden movements;
- increased physical activity;
- strong breathing, coughing, sneezing;
- hypothermia.
Can there be shortness of breath with thoracic osteochondrosis?
Due to displacement of the vertebral bodies, pathological changes in the structure of the chest, pinching of nerve fibers and blood vessels connected to the lungs, shortness of breath often occurs with thoracic osteochondrosis. In addition, because in the chest area there are structures responsible for the innervation of the heart, intestines, liver, kidneys and some other organs; the disease is often accompanied by the following symptoms:
- headache, dizziness;
- pain in the region of the heart;
- soreness of the mammary glands;
- pain in the hypochondrium (similar to the onset of pancreatitis, cholecystitis);
- epigastric pain not associated with eating;
- discomfort in the pharynx, esophagus, feeling of a foreign body;
- sexual dysfunctions.
Pain in the heart with thoracic osteochondrosis, often pressing, squeezing, can be misleading when making a diagnosis, becausesimilar to manifestations of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction. A characteristic of these sensations is their long duration and lack of effect when taking drugs to expand heart vessels. There are no changes in the cardiogram.
Syndromes with thoracic osteochondrosis
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in women, related to one mechanism of occurrence, in many cases are present in a complex manner. There are two syndromes with a set of specific pathological conditions caused by thoracic osteochondrosis:
- dorsalgia;
- dorsago.
Dorsalgia of the chest
Prolonged, not very pronounced pain with thoracic osteochondrosis in women, often characterized as pain, pulling, is inherent in dorsalgia. Complaints can be for 2-3 weeks, with the discomfort slightly subsiding (especially when walking) or intensifying (often at night, when bending over or deep breathing). In the presence of this syndrome, thoracic osteochondrosis may also have symptoms associated with difficulty breathing and muscle stiffness.
Dorsago of the chest
Paroxysmal manifestations of the disease are called "dorsago" or "thoracic lumbago". In this case, the pain appears suddenly, sharply, often resembling signs of a heart attack. An attack of thoracic osteochondrosis has the following symptoms:
- sharp, dagger-like pain;
- pain is felt in the area between the ribs, the interscapular area;
- often an attack appears after a long stay in one position;
- pain intensifies when turning the torso;
- has difficulty breathing, strong muscle tension.
Osteochondrosis of the chest - consequences
If the treatment of the pathology is not started on time, osteochondrosis of the chest can have the following consequences:
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- migraine;
- dysfunction of internal organs (liver, kidneys, etc. );
- reduced hearing, vision;
- epicondylitis of the elbow joint;
- paresis and paralysis of the hands;
- rachiocampsis;
- loss of skin tissue sensitivity;
- disability etc.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
If symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis appear, it is recommended to consult a neurologist who, after examining the back and examining the spine in several positions of the patient, will be able to make a primary diagnosis. To determine the degree of damage, X-rays, nuclear magnetic resonance or computed tomography are prescribed. Treatment tactics depend on the results obtained.
Often, the painful symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine are eliminated by taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In case of exacerbation accompanied by intense pain, paravertebral blocks can be performed with an anesthetic solution. In addition, the following drugs may be prescribed as part of conservative therapy:
- muscle relaxants;
- chondroprotectors;
- corticosteroids, etc.
The following treatment methods are used to improve metabolic processes, eliminate muscle hypertonicity and prevent various complications:
- physical therapy;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- traction on the spine;
- physiotherapy procedures (laser, ultrasound, etc. ).
Surgical treatment is necessary if there is compression of the spinal cord by a fragment of the intervertebral disc. In this case, either a laminotomy - cutting out the spinal arches, or a discectomy - removal of part of the intervertebral disc or its complete removal with the installation of a graft can be performed. In clinics with modern equipment, surgical procedures are performed with low-traumatic methods through small incisions.