Osteochondrosis of the chest: description, symptoms, and treatment

A sedentary lifestyle, injury or excessive physical activity can lead to disorders of the musculoskeletal system. To avoid complications, it is important to start treatment as early as possible. To do this, you need to understand the causes and symptoms of the pathology.

Description of the disease, what are its dangers

Thoracic osteochondrosis is a chronic disease in which the cartilage located in the intervertebral spaces begins to undergo dystrophic changes. Pathological manifestations include reduced intervertebral disc height and compression of intercostal nerve endings.Osteochondrosis of the chest goes through several stages of development.The first characteristic is that the intervertebral disc is dry, its hardness and elasticity are reduced, and cracks appear. The pain is mild and goes away after some rest.In the second stage, the disc height decreases and the spaces in the vertebrae fill with the nucleus pulposus but do not extend beyond its boundaries. Muscles endure constant tension. The patient complained of severe pain, which was relieved by rest.The third stage is characterized by the exit of the nucleus pulposus beyond the edge and the crack reaching the edge of the vertebral body. As a result, an intervertebral hernia develops. The pain becomes constant.In the fourth stage, connective tissue proliferation is detected, which puts pressure on nearby vertebrae. To compensate for the reduced bone layer, bone tissue begins to grow. More and more growths (osteophytes) appear.

Types and complications of thoracic osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the chest is divided into two types depending on the nature of the pain:

• Back pain, characterized by acute, sharp pain in the form of low back pain, located in the thoracic spine. This condition is accompanied by muscle tightness, neck and chest movement problems;
• Backache, pain slowly getting worse. Breathing in and turning the body, as well as staying in one position for long periods of time, can increase discomfort. At night, the discomfort deepens and disappears while walking.

Without adequate treatment, nerve endings can gradually become compressed. Therefore, thoracic osteochondrosis can cause complications:

• Digestive system diseases;
• persistent pain;
• interruption of cardiac activity;
• Decreased ability to conceive;
• Pulmonary dysfunction caused by connective tissue proliferation.

Why do thoracic spine lesions occur?

This part of the spine is subject to moderate loads and limited mobility. However, pathology is common. The disease can be caused by one or a combination of the following causes:

• harm and damage;
• The sector is overburdened, including in childhood;
• Age-related changes are associated with decreased nutrition of the disc tissue between the vertebrae;
• Endocrine disorders, especially menopause;
• Age-related calcium malabsorption;
• being overweight;
• Vascular problems, atherosclerotic deposits in blood vessels in the chest;
• Weak muscle corset.

How does the pathology manifest?

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis include pain and increased muscle tone. The pain may be a brief shooting pain or may be long-lasting. Recoil can be felt on the front of the chest, under the ribs, and in the shoulders. The pain worsens when you stay in one position for a long time. A characteristic hallmark of pathology is sensitivity to synaptic diagnosis of the thoracic spine.Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are similar to those of other conditions, including:

• Discomfort in the heart area, reminiscent of angina;
• Pain and shortness of breath when breathing, also manifesting as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and obstructive pulmonary disease;
• Pain in the upper abdomen below the ribs, similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal disease.

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

If you have any complaints, you should contact a neurologist. Treatment includes medication, physical therapy, exercise therapy and massage.The doctor prescribes medicine:

• Meant to eliminate the source of spinal inflammation;
• Medications that reduce muscle tone and the risk of compression of the sensory roots of the spinal cord;
• Neuroprotective agent designed to help restore nerve fibers.

The choice and dose are chosen by the physician, who takes into account drug tolerance, concomitant pathology and the patient's weight.It is important to follow the recommended duration of treatment to avoid recurrence. You can buy prescription medicines at cheap prices in online stores.Be careful and use rubbing techniques when massaging. The area under the shoulder blades and between the ribs should be treated thoroughly. To see results, at least 10-15 treatments are needed.During physical therapy, the emphasis is on exercises to strengthen the muscles, neck, and lower back.Anti-inflammatory ointments and gels, warming patches and Kuznetsov applicators are prescribed locally.

Osteochondrosis of the chest

Chest osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. Vlasenko Alexander Adolfovich (neurologist, manual therapy doctor with 30 years of experience) talks about osteochondrosis of the chest - symptoms, diagnosis and effective treatment.

Why is thoracic osteochondrosis called a "chameleon"?

The thoracic spine has a special feature - the ribs are attached to the thoracic spine. Therefore, it has less mobility than the neck and lower back. Therefore, according to the principle of "less activity - less wear and tear", the frequency of osteochondrosis in the chest area is lower. But it develops less frequently - that doesn't mean it progresses any easier. Indeed. We are talking about chest pain. Because the pain in the thoracic spine coincides with the heart, symptoms are often confused with angina or myocardial infarction. People say that thoracic osteochondrosis is a "chameleon", and this is not unreasonable. After all, he could not only pretend to have a heart disease, but also diseases of the lungs, liver, stomach, gallbladder or pancreas. Here, you cannot make the mistake of ignoring heart disease or other serious conditions, such as female breast pathology. Even if everything goes well in the end, such mistakes can be costly. After all, this can "drive" a person to great stress. That’s why it’s important to find an experienced, knowledgeable doctor who will understand everything and distinguish the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis from other conditions. Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis generally fall into two categories: radicular and reflex.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

The manifestations of osteochondrosis depend on the location and severity of the lesion in the spinal motion segments. In the initial phase, patients complain of back pain, discomfort, mild restriction of spinal movement, periodic numbness in the arms or legs, headaches, and fatigue. By starting treatment and making changes to your lifestyle during this time, results will come quickly and recovery will be quick.Severe disc damage can result in severe pain, persistent numbness, and/or weakness in the arms or legs (depending on the extent of the injury). These signs may indicate disc damage and herniation, requiring immediate consultation with a doctor and initiation of treatment.In the most severe cases, the pain syndrome can be so severe that it can lead to pelvic organ dysfunction and severe weakness and numbness in the arms or legs. If these symptoms occur, emergency hospitalization may be needed to address surgical treatment.With cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the neck and can radiate to the shoulders, arms or head, causing numbness or weakness in the arms, headaches, and dizziness.In patients with thoracic osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the chest and radiates to the sternum or scapula. It intensifies with breathing and movement, and sometimes there is a feeling of lack of air. Patients often confuse this condition with heartache.When the lumbosacral spine is affected, the pain is localized in the waist, intensifies with activity, radiates to the legs or perineum, and leg numbness or weakness may occur.It is important to remember that our body is a whole and the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine is arbitrary. Typically, this disease occurs throughout the spine, but manifests itself in the parts that bear the greatest load.

Radical symptoms

They occur when the nerves leaving the spine are affected.spinal nervesThere are many nerves coming out of the spine. They are called spinal nerves. Each such nerve branches gradually and follows a specific area of the body, with clear boundaries. This area is called the segmental innervation zone. Each vertebra, disc, nerve and area is numbered and exactly corresponds to each other. If a nerve is exposed, symptoms will occur in the area innervated by the segment corresponding to that nerve, rather than anywhere - anywhere.Root symptoms include:

• Reduced or lost responses;
• Impaired sensitivity;
• muscle weakness;
• Radix pain.

innervation area of thoracic segment

Osteochondrosis D1–D2- Causes pain in the shoulder, collarbone and armpit areas.Osteochondrosis D3–D6- Causes pain of a circumferential nature in the upper part of the chest. Simulate heart pain, angina attack. In women, it can cause breast pain.Osteochondrosis D7–D8- Causes pain in the girdle at the level of the solar plexus. Simulates pain in the stomach, liver, gallbladder or pancreas. Reduce epigastric reflexes.Osteochondrosis D9–D10- Causes pain in ribs and upper abdomen. Sometimes it mimics what is called "acute" abdominal pain - severe pain in the abdomen. Reduce mid-abdominal reflexes.Osteochondrosis D11–D12- Causes pain in the groin area. Simulates the pain of female diseases, appendicitis, intestinal diseases. Reduce lower abdominal reflexes.

reflex symptoms

Unlike radicular symptoms, reflex symptoms have no clear boundaries. These symptoms may be: difficulty breathing, lack of air, pain when inhaling and exhaling, chills and "goosebumps" on the skin, intercostal neuralgia, chest pain. Dyspepsia - worsening of appetite, nausea, heartburn, bloating and intestinal dysfunction - is often observed. Due to the pain, sleep is disturbed and there is a feeling of insomnia and lack of sleep. Moving is difficult, especially in the morning. Impaired coordination of movements - this is reflected in gait. The whole body is weak and powerless. Sexual disorders. irritability. Fatigues quickly. All kinds of pain can occur. There is tenderness in the chest area. Pain between shoulder blades. Rib pain. Pain when raising arm. Pain when bending over or trying to stand up. Pain between shoulder blades. Generally speaking, pain from thoracic osteochondrosis is usually divided into two types.back pain- Moderately severe, persistent pain in the back and chest that increases and decreases over time.dosago- Acute pain "lumbar pain" in the area.

• Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis depend on the stage of osteochondrosis.
• The condition gets worse when bending over or trying to stand up.
• Symptoms usually appear after the age of 35-45 years.
• The incidence of these disorders is approximately 3 times higher in women than in men.

Of course, you note that the radicular symptoms are very well defined, whereas the reflex symptoms are very vague and non-specific. As you know, anything that is not clearly defined serves as a convenient cover for professional helplessness. Among other things, this also applies to reflex symptoms and to doctors' favorite concept "age-related changes". Many of you are surely familiar with this condition when doctors explain the problem as a "reflex" or "age-related" process. At such moments, most people correctly believe that the doctor simply cannot figure out what is going on and try to hide his incompetence in a fog of these "magic words. "There was once a popular saying: "Every accident has a first name, a last name, and a position. " Therefore, each disease has its unique symptoms. It is the physician's responsibility to clearly understand them. Then there is no need to cast a veil of confusion and blame everything on osteochondrosis in the chest area. Now you know how important it is to find an experienced and knowledgeable doctor. Correct diagnosis and good treatment outcomes depend on this.

stage of disease

The development of thoracic osteochondrosis can be divided into 4 stages depending on the ongoing pathological process:

stage	Variety	symptom
first	The disc becomes dehydrated, causing a loss of elasticity. Their height decreases, but their width increases—the discs gradually flatten.	The pain occurs directly over the damaged ring. It can be pulled or shot.
second	The annulus fibrosus begins to disintegrate. The nerve roots are compressed, causing pain.	Pain when moving. Discomfort occurs when you remain in one position for an extended period of time.
third	The annulus fibrosus ruptures, causing a herniated disc. Scoliosis or pathological kyphosis occurs.	Pain when moving. Discomfort occurs when you remain in one position for an extended period of time.
fourth	Friction occurs between the vertebrae, causing the intervertebral joints to shift. Inflammation of the tissue surrounding the vertebrae. Cartilage tissue is replaced by bone tissue, reducing motor function. Fibrosis occurs.	Pain when moving. Discomfort occurs when you remain in one position for an extended period of time.

Stages of exacerbation and remission can be observed. The latter is usually observed in stage 4.

disease extent

This is a more modern classification of thoracic osteochondrosis symptoms used by experts.

degree	changes and symptoms
first	Disc rupture caused by sudden movement or excessive force. Severe pain, similar to an electric current running down the spine. Muscle strain.
second	It is characterized by spinal instability. Pain when moving. protrude.
third	The pain becomes constant. Loss of feeling. Gait changes. Severe headache. Difficulty breathing. Tachycardia.
fourth	Spinal instability: The vertebrae slip and twist. Osteophytes grow, squeezing spinal nerves and putting pressure on the spinal cord.

Osteochondrosis of the chest can cause serious disease that is difficult to treat.

Diagnosis is key to correct treatment

Today, many modern methods are available for the hardware diagnosis of osteochondrosis. The most accurate of these are MRI and CT. But the main method remains clinical diagnosis - which is done by an experienced doctor comparing data from at least three sources - the patient's chief complaint, MRI results and symptoms discovered during the examination. This allows you to make a diagnosis as accurately as possible and develop an effective individual treatment plan.

Who to contact and how to get tested for osteochondrosis

Typically, patients with spinal pain refer to a neurologist, who, based on the chief complaint and neurological examination, can make a preliminary diagnosis and prescribe additional tests (spine X-ray, MRI, CT, general urineanalysis), general blood tests) and develop a treatment plan.

treat

Treatment should be comprehensive and aimed at:

• Eliminate pain syndrome;
• Eliminate damaged function at the roots of the spinal cord;
• Preventing the progression of degenerative dystrophic changes in spinal structures.

during acute phase, accompanied by severe painprescribed drug therapy: Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectants, or blocks.physiotherapyIt is the main method of conservative treatment of musculoskeletal system diseases. The purpose of exercise therapy is to form, correct and strengthen muscle bundles; increase the range of motion of the spine and joints; form movement stereotypes and correct posture; reduce the load on the spine.Through regular exercise therapy, joint exercises, yoga or swimming, blood supply and tissue nutrition improve, metabolism normalizes, and the intervertebral space increases, leading to recovery. Listen to your body, and if you notice symptoms of osteochondrosis or if your lifestyle involves sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time, driving, or not getting enough physical activity, seek help from a specialist immediately rather than waiting until the condition worsens.As you know, osteochondrosis is a real "mess" of symptoms, and by unraveling them, your doctor can relieve your pain and suffering. But it is impossible to eliminate changes in the vertebrae and discs. Therefore, the term "treatment of osteochondrosis" must be understood correctly. If you are interested in eliminating pain and other suffering, then yes, it is very possible. If you're having an academic discussion about getting the vertebrae and discs back to their original appearance "like a newborn, " then no, there's no going back to the past. You need to be realistic so you don't fall into the trap of a scammer.

What methods are considered primary treatments?

Gentle manual therapy is the mainstay of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis. It's like antibiotics for pneumonia - you can't live without it. The remaining types—massage, medications, physical therapy, and exercise therapy—are complementary therapies.

physiotherapy

Physical therapy methods can relieve swelling and inflammation, improve blood flow to the affected area, and reduce or stop pain.
Magnetic laser, magnetic therapy, novocaine SMT, hydrocortisone ultrasound, etc.Balneotherapy: Mud application, ozokerite application to affected areas, radon bath.

Sports therapy and massage

Therapeutic exercise is the mainstay of treatment for osteochondrosis. Perform gymnastics regularly several times a day for 10-15 minutes each time. To enhance the effect, massage sessions are prescribed. These procedures help relax muscles, relieve pressure on the vertebrae, and improve metabolic processes and blood flow. Exercise therapy can be done independently at home or in a clinic (individual and group sessions). Massages are performed in clinics by qualified specialists.

How does gentle manual therapy work?

The nutrition of the intervertebral discs is directly related to the muscles surrounding the spine. In addition, the back muscles themselves contribute to the pain of osteochondrosis of the chest. Gentle manual therapy is a specialized method that returns your muscles to their natural physiological state, eliminating spasms, muscle tension and improving nutrition of the spinal discs.The intervertebral disc is the only part of the body that does not have blood vessels and is nourished by the normal functioning of muscles.Additionally, when performing treatments with their hands, chiropractors:

• The load on the affected vertebrae and discs will be relieved and distributed correctly;
• Relaxes muscles and helps them return to normal;
• Relieving the patient from clamping;
• Improve disk power supply;
• Will restore the body’s motor functions;
• Normalizes blood circulation.

The technique affects the mobilization of the body's internal force and triggers the self-healing mechanism.

acupuncture

The technique involves using fine needles to affect biologically active points on the body. The procedure reduces pain and the manifestations of inflammatory processes. Acupuncture is not painful, and mild discomfort may occur.

Treatment of female pathologies

It is almost impossible to completely eliminate thoracic osteochondrosis that has progressed, but using the means and methods of modern medicine, it is very possible to slow down or even prevent the formation of pathological degenerative dystrophy processes in the spinal motion segment tissues. Optimum treatment results can only be achieved through a comprehensive treatment approach of medications, various physical therapy techniques and targeted exercise therapy techniques (physiotherapy).The symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in women are not much different from those in men. In the acute phase of osteochondrosis of the spine and thoracic segment, patients require intensive treatment, during which various medications and physical therapies are used to help eliminate the first pain syndrome, as well as other negative manifestations of the disease.During remission, patients must receive maintenance treatment, mainly taking drugs to restore the bone and cartilage structure and physical therapy. In particularly severe cases, they sometimes resort to surgery to stabilize the position of the spine.

What should I do if my condition gets worse?

When the condition worsens, severe pain will occur and radiate along the intercostal space. Bed rest is required at this stage to reduce spinal mobility. Analgesics prescribed by your attending physician may relieve symptoms.The treatment is absolutely safe.

prevention

To prevent diseases and slow down the degenerative process, it is recommended:

• weight adjustment;
• Cycling, running, swimming, yoga and other sports;
• Daily walks;
• Take vitamin complexes and cartilage protectants;
• Reduce back pressure;
• Prompt treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

To avoid relapse, create comfortable sleeping and working conditions. Watch your weight and eat right. Stay physically active. But the most important thing is not to neglect your health and not to begrudge it. Don't let things take their course. After recovery, try to have gentle manual therapy maintenance sessions at least every three to six months - this will reduce risk factors. Do not forget that advanced osteochondrosis can lead to complications - herniation and disc herniation. Remember: your health comes first!