Heralds of illness: symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis

Breast osteochondrosisis a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the middle parts of the spine.It occurs much less frequently than lumbar and even cervical osteochondrosis and accounts for around 10% of all cases of the disease.The symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are associated with several features of the spine in the thoracic region: rigid fixation of the vertebrae by the ribs and skeletal muscles and reduced mobility, a semicircular curvature of the back in this area and the corresponding distribution of the load.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis begin with a violation of tissue trophism and dehydration of the intervertebral discs.A lack of nutrients and fluid causes the cartilage to lose its elasticity, crack and “sag”..This condition is associated with compression of nerve roots, deterioration in the sensitivity and function of internal organs, and severe pain.Destruction of the vertebrae in the chest area often accompanies the occurrenceOsteophytes- Bone outgrowths that injure the paravertebral tissue and lead to chronic inflammation.

Contrary to popular belief, thoracic osteochondrosis is not a natural age-related process and requires special treatment.The onset of the disease can occur in old agefrom 25 years;About 70% of the total number of patients are women aged 35 to 55 years.Since the illness begins long before retirement age,This can lead to restrictions and even the loss of the ability to work.

Unlike other forms of osteochondrosis, thoracic osteochondrosis may not manifest itself for a long period of time - or may disguise itself as another pathology, which is why it is called chameleon disease.It is also the most difficult to treat.That's why it's very importantMonitor your symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in a timely manner- and today we'll tell you which ones.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis

The feeling of pain in the sternum in thoracic osteochondrosis is a symptom,confused by patients with heart pain.Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are characterized by an increase at night.They are especially noticeable when you try to straighten your back or, on the contrary, bend it and curve your back into a dome.

The severity of the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis directly depends on the stage of the osteochondrosis disease.At the same time, negative sensations can manifest themselves weakly with symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis (osteophytes often grow on the surfaces of the vertebrae, where there are practically no nerve endings, and the muscular corset compensates for the load for some time).

In addition to pain in the sternum and between the shoulder blades, patients often complain of the following radicular and reflex symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:

• a feeling of cold, burning and tingling in the chest, base of the neck and stomach;
• muscle tension (difficulty relaxing your back);
• a feeling of pain in the sternum (a symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis, which is one of the first to appear);
• increased heart rate, feeling of pulsation in the chest;
• a tingling sensation in the chest that often accompanies unfounded anxiety or increases with stress;
• Numbness of the soft tissues (skin and muscles) near the spine and in the shoulders, particularly noticeable upon pressure or contact with hot and cold surfaces;
• with thoracic osteochondrosis breathing is difficult;
• Feeling cold in the hands and feet, pale or bluish skin on the hands;
• weakness, inhibition of reflex reactions in the affected area;
• Dysfunction of the digestive organs, colic, stool disorders;
• the appearance of skin areas with obvious nutritional disorders (peeling, pallor, thinning or, conversely, thickening of the skin);
• Feeling of a lump in the chest, discomfort when swallowing large pieces of food;
• characteristic cough with thoracic osteochondrosis;
• Digestive problems (dyspepsia, loss of appetite, nausea, heartburn, flatulence);
• increased tiredness, strong feeling of tiredness in the morning (“broken” state);
• Change in gait (usually stooping, unsteadiness);
• Intercostal neuralgia.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis may feel like a stomach or intestinal ulcer, angina, gastritis, or a heart attack.Sometimes it is confused with renal or cardiac colic, cholecystitis or pancreatitis.In fact, advanced thoracic osteochondrosis can lead to malfunctions of the gallbladder (e.g. sediment formation) and intestines, as well as dysfunction of the cardiac vessels.

The specificity of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the location of the problem:

• 1st-2ndThoracic vertebrae- The pain radiates to the collarbone and armpit and may extend to the shoulders.
• 3rd-6thVortex- Patients experience girdle pain above the chest, resembling pain in the heart or mammary glands;
• 7th-8thVortex- Pain in the solar plexus, mimicking diseases of the internal organs (stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas).There is also inhibition of the epigastric reflex (contraction of the abdominal muscles when passing the instrument along the line of the lower rib);
• 9th-10thVortex- Here osteochondrosis can cause severe pain in the abdomen and under the ribs and inhibit the mesogastric reflex (when a tool draws a horizontal line at the level of the navel);
• 11th-12thVortex- can cause groin pain, diseases of the internal genital organs and intestines.Reduces the hypogastric response (by drawing a line in the lower abdomen parallel to the inguinal fold).

Difficulty breathing

During physical activity (for example, climbing stairs over several floors), patients find it difficult to breathe.Thoracic osteochondrosis causes severe shortness of breath.Patients often describe this feeling as “breathlessness.”Similar symptoms can be observed during sleep: in an unsuccessful position, patients dream of lack of air, their ears may be blocked (at the same time a strong pulsation can be heard) and severe chest cramps occur.

Often, the feeling of difficulty breathing in thoracic osteochondrosis is accompanied by girdle pain in the back and ribs, as well as subcostal pain.

Increased heart rate

Even after mild stress that previously went unnoticed, patients complain of an increased heart rate and the feeling as if the heart is trying to jump out of the chest.At first, an increased heart rate can be caused by spastic contractions of the muscles and chest or a violation of tissue trophism, but over time this dangerous symptom can actually grow beyond angina pectoris, coronary artery disease and even lead to a heart attack.

In addition to the increased heart rate, patients often notice an accompanying feeling of panic, fear of death, or increased background anxiety.In some cases, real panic attacks can be observed against the background of thoracic osteochondrosis.

Chest pain

The most revealing symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis isFeeling of pain in the sternum.These include stabbing pain and a feeling of pressure in the chest as well as intercostal pain when walking.Chest pain tends to increase after staying in one position for a long time, hypothermia, turning the body and bending (especially when twisting), as well as raising the arms.Carrying heavy objects, exercising, taking deep breaths, and sleeping still can also increase the pain.It should be borne in mind that osteochondrosis in this part of the back is characterized by dull, aching, pressing and throbbing pain due to the low mobility of the thoracic spine.Acute persistent pain in thoracic osteochondrosis is very rare, which is why patients tend to ignore the pathology for a long time.

Vertebral painWith osteochondrosis of the spine, it is customary to divide it into dorsalgia and dorsalgia.Dorsago- These are spontaneous stabbing pains that usually do not last long and disappear when you change position.Dorsago usually cause accidental pinching of the root.Dorsalgiaare of long duration (approx. 2-3 weeks) and are associated with a permanent disruption of blood circulation or nerve conduction.They become noticeable through burning, stabbing pain.

The pain increases when coughing and patients may mistake it for a spinal fracture.However, with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, hernias are extremely rare.Do not write off the main symptom(Feeling of pain in the sternum in thoracic osteochondrosis)for vertebral displacements - its probability is extremely low compared to degenerative-dystrophic changes!

Cough with thoracic osteochondrosis

Cough with thoracic osteochondrosis is often observed in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and their work duties include prolonged sitting (office workers, operators, drivers).Maintaining this posture, which is difficult for the human spine, leads to chronic muscle strain, cramps and tension.Spasticityis both a cause and a consequence of the fact that the neck and pectoral girdle area suffers from a lack of movement.At night, in positions that compress the spine, the spasms and irritation of the spinal roots only increase, causing severe coughing.If the upper thoracic vertebrae are affected, a cough due to thoracic osteochondrosis may be accompanied by pain in the esophagus, a feeling as if something is stuck in the chest.

During coughing attacks with thoracic osteochondrosis, breathing becomes painful for the patient;It becomes difficult to take a deep breath.

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis and its prevention

The aim of conservative treatment of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is to stop or at least slow down degenerative changes, restore normal back mobility and eliminate complaints that burden the patient.

Therapeutic treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes the simultaneous use of:

• Medication(chondroprotectors, neuroprotectors, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics);
• Methods of the physiotherapeutic complex;
• therapeutic exercises;
• orthopedic regime.

Patients are also recommended to make changes to their diet and lifestyle.

For severe, irreversible changes in the intervertebral jointsin which pain and nerve conduction disorders are not relieved by medication,Surgery is recommended for patients.It helps stop the death of nerve tissue and prevent life-threatening or disabling consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis.Depending on the situation, complete or partial resection of the intervertebral disc or its replacement with an artificial disc, narrowing of the spinal canal, or other surgical intervention may be indicated.

Physiotherapy

The goals of physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the chest area are to relieve pain and inflammation, relieve spasms, strengthen the muscle corset, restore the function of nerve roots and normal blood circulation.

To relieve the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are successfully used:

• Magnetic field therapy- one of the most effective anti-inflammatory techniques.Improves metabolic processes in tissues and relieves swelling.
• Laser therapy.Promotes the biological activation of regenerative processes.Helps to eliminate the consequences of trophic disorders and relieve inflammation.
• Drug electrophoresis.Allows you to restore tissue nutrition and relieve inflammation.The effect of the procedure depends on the medications used.
• Medical phonophoresis.Ensures deep penetration of the active ingredients of drugs into the soft tissue.
• Therapeutic massage.Helps to relax muscles, relieve tension and improve the nutrient supply to the spinal tissue.In the early stages, the main symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis - the feeling of pain in the sternum - is eliminated in a few sessions.
• acupuncture.Stimulation of muscles and nerve endings helps relieve pain, restore sensitivity and eliminate swelling.
• Ultra high frequency therapy.Increases the permeability of the capillary walls, improves blood circulation and ensures the flow of protective cells to the site of inflammation.
• Shock wave therapy.It starts the restoration of bone and cartilage tissue and prevents the deposition of calcium salts on the vertebral surfaces.
• Balneotherapy.As a rule, mud and ozokerite applications are used, less often paraffin.Radon and hydromassage baths are also recommended to patients.They help to improve metabolism and restore sensitivity to the affected tissues.
• Amplipulse therapy.It has a neurostimulating, analgesic and trophic effect, activates metabolic processes and facilitates breathing.
• Kinesitherapy(Physiotherapy, massage, traction therapy, kinesio taping).Allows you to strengthen ligaments and skeletal muscles, restore mobility in the back and eliminate even persistent spasticity.Prevents the formation of osteophytes and narrowing of the canals in which the spinal roots are located.

In addition to physiotherapy sessions, for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, patients may be recommended an orthopedic corset, which provides relief from the load on the spine.

Movement therapy and massage

Therapeutic exercises and massages strengthen the back muscles and relieve the strain on the spine.With daily sessions, they help achieve stable, drug-free remission, increase range of motion and eliminate neurological manifestations of the disease.These treatment methods also prevent complications of osteochondrosis..For example, congestion of the lungs (with thoracic osteochondrosis it is difficult to breathe deeply), which makes patients susceptible to pneumonia and coronary artery disease.

Dosed physical activity helps to relieve compression of nerve roots, improve blood circulation and nutrition of the intervertebral discs.The optimal frequency and duration of gymnastics classes is determined by the exercise therapy teacher.Usually,3-4 exercises for 10-15 minutes a day are enough.

Exercises recommended for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis include:

1. Stand straight, feet together, hands at your sides.As you exhale, raise your arms, bend backwards, and then take a deep breath.Lower your arms and bend forward, arching your back slightly in a dome shape (this is done by lowering your head and shoulders as you exhale).
2. Sit in a chair and place your hands behind your head as you inhale.Bend back, place your shoulder blades on the back of the chair and breathe out.
3. Get on all fours and arch your back.After holding the position for 3 seconds, bend your back with a crampons.
4. Lie on your stomach on the floor, place your palms on the floor and, leaning on your arms, try to move your head back as far as possible, lifting your chest off the floor.
5. Lie on your stomach and stretch your arms out to the sides.Perform the “yoke” exercise, trying to raise your head and legs at the same time.
6. Sit on the floor and extend your legs in front of you.Reach the fingers of your right hand to the toe of your left foot and vice versa.
7. Do a plank exercise (about 30 seconds).
8. Perform hangs on the horizontal bar (or, if there is no horizontal bar, fix your fingers on the door frame and try to straighten your back as much as possible).

Bending your arm to the side when raising your arm is also helpful.All exercises should be performed8 to 10 times.

Various massage techniques are used to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, including acupressure and vacuum massage.For self-massage at home, patients are recommended the following movements:

• Stroking the collar of the neck, shoulder blade and armpits;
• Press with your thumb and forefinger(grasping skin and soft tissues);
• Trituration;
• knead(It should be carried out extremely carefully; it is advisable to entrust this technique to a specialist).

If the disease worsens or if the inflammation is severe, massage should not be performed.

Drug treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

To treat the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following groups of drugs are used:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)- help relieve pain, calm inflammation and dissipate swelling.They can be used both systemically (in the form of tablets, capsules and injections) and locally (in the form of ointments, gels, creams, compresses and solutions for medical electrophoresis).
• Hormonal medications- to eliminate acute and chronic neurological pain.Used in cases where NSAIDs do not show sufficient effectiveness.
• Muscle relaxants- prescribed to reduce muscle tone and eliminate spasms of skeletal muscles.This reduces pain and has a positive effect on tissue trophism.
• Circulation correctors- strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve blood circulation in small capillaries that supply the periosteum and other structural elements of the vertebral joints.Reduce discomfort and reduce the risk of complications.
• Neuroprotectors- to maintain and restore sensitivity during compression of nerve roots and to relieve neurological symptoms.This group also includes cholinesterase inhibitors, which improve the transmission of nerve impulses and help restore normal muscle tone.

For structural restoration of tissues affected by the degenerative process in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis are used:

• Chondroprotectors- essential bioactive substances that trigger the regeneration processes of cartilage and bone tissue.Serves to prevent osteophyte growth and narrowing of the spinal canal.They help a weakened body to form stable and resilient cartilage cells.By taking chondroprotectors, the shock-absorbing properties of the intervertebral discs are significantly improved, making them more elastic and resistant to damage;
• Vitamin complexes- contribute to the normalization of metabolic processes and prevent excessive oxidation in tissues.

To relieve excruciating pain that interferes with the patient's daily activities, the doctor may recommend a medical block with anesthetics.Diuretics are used to relieve swelling and relieve pressure on compressed nerves and blood vessels.

Prevention of thoracic osteochondrosis

To prevent the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, you should:

1. Maintain a healthy posture.This is facilitated by walking, swimming and therapeutic exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back, chest, abdomen and shoulders.
2. If you work while sitting, set up your workstation properly and perform a physical warm-up when your back and neck start to become stiff (ideally bending to the side, stretching and rotating your shoulders every 2 hours).
3. Avoid back injuries and, even if you have seemingly insignificant bruises, immediately seek help from an orthopedic traumatologist.You should not trigger other diseases of the musculoskeletal system - especially the joints of the lower extremities.
4. If possible, relieve the strain on your spine during the day (just lie on the floor for 40 minutes).
5. Protect yourself from hypothermia and stress.
6. To protect your joints, take chondroprotectors at least 3 months a year.Regardless of the strength of the muscle corset, the human spine is not anatomically adapted to vertical loads and therefore requires additional support.
7. Adjust the weight if you are overweight.In addition to a low-carb diet, you should also eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals.In spring and autumn they can be taken in tablet form.
8. Sports activities that involve jumping from great heights or lifting heavy weights should be limited.
9. It is advisable to sleep on a semi-rigid bed and choose hard furniture for prolonged sitting.This helps maintain muscle tone and relieves stress on the spine.If possible, consider purchasing an orthopedic mattress and shoe insoles.
10. Do not lift loads weighing more than 10 kg.The load should be distributed evenly, with muscle tension and without lateral displacement.If necessary, use a special sports corset.It is undesirable to hold loads with outstretched arms for a long time.
11. Women should avoid wearing high-heeled shoes.The optimal heel height is 2-4 cm.

These recommendations will also be useful for those who are already sick - they have a positive effect on the condition of the spine and help to significantly slow down pathological changes.

And remember: the most important thing in preventing thoracic osteochondrosis is consistent adherence to healthy habits.

Never let chest pain bother you!