Pain and restriction of movement are characteristic manifestations of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. However, since the insidiousness of this pathology affects both the internal organs at the level of the chest and below, no one but a doctor can understand what is happening. Osteochondrosis occurs as a result of degenerative-dystrophic processes affecting the discs, joints, ligaments and spinal roots.
Symptoms of the disease may appear at a very early stage. However, spinal disease can be affected, the main thing is to know the causes and laws of its development. Doctors are more or less clear about the causes, but the mechanism of development remains in the "shadow" in a sense.
Causes and development of the disease
Any part of the spine is constantly under load, both statically and dynamically. Constant pressure causes the integrity of the intervertebral disc to be compromised. Damaged, the internal component begins to leak out.
The disc, like other cartilages, is nourished in a special way: when squeezed, it releases fluid, and when pressure is released, it absorbs all the nutrients like a sponge. This mechanism does not work during prolonged static postures or when constant pressure is applied to the disc during exercise. Daily morning exercises have a positive effect on nutrition.
Stages of degeneration
To better understand the symptoms, you need to understand what stage the intervertebral disc is going through and what is happening to it. However, as in the whole spine.
In the first stage, there is no pain and the attack does not manifest itself in any way, but the process has already begun, the inner part is already moving freely.
In the second stage, the pain attack is already fully felt, the radical symptoms are combined, a person is actively using ointments, but the cause is not resolved. The disc gradually comes out and begins to compress the spinal cord. In the third stage, the pain attack, which mainly shows osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, becomes brighter and more intense, ointments do not help. The disc gradually swells, protruding.
The last stage leads to the appearance of signs of damage outside the disk components. The clinical picture is characterized by compression of the roots, blood vessels and the spinal cord itself. As a result, a pain attack of significant intensity develops.
The body does its best to reduce pain, resulting in the appearance of characteristic growths and osteophytes in the spine. The roots of the spinal cord are compressed as a result of the narrowing of the intervertebral spaces. Pressure affects the rest of the internal organs. Their treatment does not work, which sometimes surprises the doctor.
Symptoms of the disease
Often the cause of the defeat of this particular part of the spine is a sedentary lifestyle, which clarifies the diagnosis and greatly simplifies the diagnosis. Usually, if a person sits at a computer or chair for a long time, he is under pressure. The pain is mostly dull, then painful and burning. Localized in the middle, between the shoulder blades, a slight compression in the chest area is disturbing.
If you try to feel the area of spinous and transverse processes of the spine, the pain will increase significantly.
Diagnosis is simplified by the tension of the paravertebral muscles. If you ask the patient to take a deep breath and take turns with his body, the symptoms will intensify.
Some patients report pain in the scapula or lower thoracic spine. This is called posterior costal syndrome and occurs as a result of low displacement of the ribs. The pain may disappear suddenly, but may intensify during turns.
The symptoms manifest themselves with pain in the lumbar region along the intercostal spaces, this is where the nerve passes. Sensitivity is impaired in the area where the nerve branches are damaged. Deep and superficial sensitivity to paresthesia is reduced. Symptoms are accompanied by dysfunction of the abdominal press, decreased knee and heel reflexes.
Damage to internal organs
In parallel with the pain, there is a violation of the function of internal organs. In the thoracic spinal cord, there are centers responsible for the heart, lung system, liver, intestines and kidneys, and pancreas. Difficulty breathing, pain, and angina pectoris-like interruptions in heart function may be disturbed. The mammary glands can be damaged, or everything is localized in the right or left hypochondrium, resembling an attack of cholecystitis or pancreatitis.
Sore throat or esophagus. Symptoms are located in the left hypochondrium or abdomen, similar to the symptoms of gastritis or inflammatory bowel disease (colitis, enteritis). Disorders can be from the kidneys and the reproductive system.
Diagnosis
It can be difficult to make a correct diagnosis based solely on symptoms. Therefore, the diagnosis involves the production of an X-ray. The characteristic changes in the form of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region appear in the form of a decrease in the height of the discs, sclerosis of the last plates and the formation of osteophytes.
In addition, if the X-ray does not give a result, a CT scan is performed. The study is completed by MRI, which shows soft tissues, so the diagnosis of a disc herniation is made.
Differential diagnosis requires special attention, not only on the basis of complaints and clinical manifestations. Thus, pain in the heart area is not affected by drugs used in angina pectoris. Pain in the epigastric region is not affected by food intake and there is no seasonal manifestation of symptoms. Everything appears in the evening and disappears completely after a night's sleep.
Treatment
Treatment involves taking all kinds of medications, including pills and injections. They start with medications that eliminate the inflammatory process, which are traditionally used with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They help relax muscles by relieving pain and inflammation. They should be prescribed only by a doctor, otherwise the risk of complications is high and there are contraindications for use. Tablets, as recommended, are often taken after meals, but your doctor may also prescribe injections. Locally, this group of drugs is administered in the form of an ointment, which is applied about three times a day.
Analgesics can add to the group of drugs described above, with severe pain, the needles are prescribed by a doctor, and if everything is not so bad, the tablets are also suitable. With pain of significant intensity, drug blockade can be taken directly to the pain center, which allows the attack to be eliminated quickly. Special anesthetic ointments can also complete the treatment.
Chondroprotectors allow to restore cartilage structure, but in this group it is necessary to take medication for a long time. The doctor prescribes injections or pills taken at the discretion of the courses. Recently, the preparations of this group are presented in the form of an ointment applied externally.
Add a full-fledged treatment with antispasmodic drugs. The action is aimed at relaxing the muscles that constrict the arteries and nerves. The pressure is reduced, the patient's condition is eased.
Ointments are actively used, they have a local effect, help to eliminate the onset of pain. Ointments are applied to the painful area, where it warms the skin. Ointments have also been shown to be used along the nerves, so they can more effectively counteract the onset of pain. In addition, in addition to the ointment, the treatment is capable of mustard plasters
Hormone-based drugs are also used, mainly by injection. They are prescribed as a last resort when a severe pain attack needs to be eliminated. Paraverbal blockade of the affected area of the nerve or root is often used, hormone-based medications are used.
Complete all vitamin-based preparations, intramuscular injections. Medications, tablets can be represented by bioactive supplements that improve cartilage nutrition and reduce blood pressure.
Physiotherapy
All kinds of techniques are actively used to help calm a strong attack. With procedures, you can use drugs that act as a kind of blockade. The list of procedures can be presented as follows:
- Shock wave therapy. Thanks to the shock wave, it restores the nutrition and blood supply to the spine, eliminates the onset of pain and allows you to get rid of inflammation.
- Ultraviolet radiation. Promotes better absorption of calcium
- 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 and accelerates regeneration. Darsonval does the same.
- Electrophoresis. The effect of current that helps drugs penetrate deeper into tissues.
- Diodynamic. The effect of alternating frequency current effectively reduces pain.
- Swimming. Allows muscles to relaxIt is recommended to swim in the pool only with warm water.
- Balneotherapy. Use for the treatment of mineral waters and mud. Minerals help the healing process, reduce pressure on the roots.
- Acupuncture. This allows thin needles to affect the body's active points.
- Manual therapy or massage. In addition, you can use ointments that help relax muscles and relax blood vessels and nerves.
The methods are chosen individually by the doctor. The main thing is not to get sick.