Osteochondrosis of the chest- This is a degenerative-dystrophic process in the thoracic spine, as a result of which pathological changes occur in the bone and cartilage tissue of the spine, the intervertebral discs, joints and ligaments of the spine are destroyed.
Manifestations of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine are usually not as acute as in cervical or lumbar osteochondrosis. The fact is that the thoracic spine is less mobile, and the joints of the vertebrae, ribs and sternum form a fairly strong structure that is less susceptible to injury as a result of external influences. Therefore, the clinical manifestations of this disease are much less likely to bring the patient to the doctor, and as a result, it seems that this type of osteochondrosis is less common. But it is not. Almost everyone who is forced by the nature of their work to sit continuously at a desk or drive a car for years has changes in the spine. And in the presence of risk factors (poor posture, scoliosis, injuries, weak back muscles), thoracic osteochondrosis is practically inevitable.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the chest
The causes of pain syndromes in osteochondrosis of the chest, as well as in other types of osteochondrosis, are pathological changes in the intervertebral discs (thinning of the disc due to degeneration of the nucleus pulposus, protrusion; intervertebral hernia) and the joints of the spine (destruction of cartilage surfaces, formationof osteophytes).
As a result of these changes, compression of the root structures of the spinal nerves (radiculopathy), compression of the spinal cord (compression thoracic myelopathy), damage to the spinal cord due to impaired blood supply due to compression, narrowing of the feeding arteries and veins (compression-vascular myeloischemia).
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest are the following:
- soreness in the chest, aggravated by prolonged standing in one position and during physical exertion;
- dull pain in the interscapular space;
- pain when raising the right or left arm;
- soreness during inclined movements of the body, during rotational movements of the upper body;
- increased pain during deep inhalation and exhalation;
- pain in the intercostal spaces that occurs while walking;
- feeling of pressure on the chest or back (as with a hoop);
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis can also be:
- sensation of crawling over the whole body, numbness of certain areas of the skin;
- itching, burning and coldness of the lower extremities;
- increased brittleness of nails and peeling of the skin (a sign of vascular disorders);
- causeless disorders of the digestive tract: constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest are often very similar to the symptoms of other diseases - in particular, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, stomach diseases, pneumonia. Therefore, it is very important to carry out differential diagnosis with the help of additional instrumental and laboratory research methods.
Dorsago and dorsalgia as manifestations of osteochondrosis of the chest
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest depend on the degree of changes and their localization in the spine. Thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by two vertebral syndromes - dorsago and dorsalgia.
Dorsagois a sudden sharp pain in the chest. It is usually observed in people whose work is associated with prolonged sitting in one position, being in an uncomfortable position, performing monotonous monotonous work. An attack of dorsago ("thoracic lumbago") is an acute attack of "dagger" pain between the shoulder blades. During an attack, the muscles are so tense that it can even be difficult to breathe. In this case, chest pain can spread as intercostal neuralgia (along the ribs) to the sternum, sometimes to the scapula. These symptoms are similar to those of a myocardial infarction. But unlike dorsago myocardial infarction, the patient's electrocardiogram is within the age norm, and taking nitroglycerin or other similar drugs does not improve the condition. In addition, the pain intensifies with rotational movements of the upper body, and palpation (palpation) of the chest in patients with osteochondrosis can cause pain at the exit site of the spinal nerve (nerve root).
Dorsalgiait starts gradually, imperceptibly and lasts up to two or three weeks. Vague pain in the affected spine and various discomforts are characteristic. The pain increases with deep breathing and leaning forward or sideways. Muscle tension and limitation of range of motion in the cervico-thoracic (upper dorsalgia) or lumbo-thoracic region (lower dorsalgia) is determined. Muscle spasm is also very pronounced, so patients also have a feeling of lack of air. Unpleasant sensations are intensified when the torso is tilted to the side and forward, which limits any movement in the adjacent parts of the spine. The pain usually worsens at night, after waking up the pain disappears by itself with a short walk. The pain intensifies with deep breathing, prolonged forced position of the body.
Distribute: upper dorsalgia, accompanied by pain in the cervicothoracic region and lower dorsalgia, in which there is pain in the thoracolumbar region. Dorsalgia can last up to 3 weeks.
This type of dorsalgia must be distinguished from pneumonia, which also has similar symptoms, but they are complemented by pulmonary symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever.
Other characteristics of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, a gastrological syndrome is often observed, which is often defined as a disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The main complaint of patients who often turn to a gastroenterologist is pain in the epigastric region, which, as a rule, increases in the afternoon after physical work and decreases (or completely disappears) after a good night's rest. Its appearance and intensification are practically not related to seasonality (as is known, in real patients with gastritis, peptic ulcer, autumn and spring rarely pass without serious exacerbations), the quality of food and diet. These characteristics of the manifestation of the syndrome help to establish the correct diagnosis.
In osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs at the level of 7-11 vertebrae suffer, the pain - severe, paroxysmal or dull, aching - spreads to the right hypochondrium. During an attack, patients often come to the hospital with various diagnoses: acute calculous cholecystitis, renal prolapse, pancreatitis, colitis, urolithiasis. And only as a result of a detailed medical examination is it possible to make the correct diagnosis -
Vascular disorders caused by osteochondrosis can be suspected if, for no apparent reason, the skin peels, the nails become very brittle, and the feet often feel cold.
Often, osteochondrosis of the chest is complicated by intercostal neuralgia. The pain along the ribs extends to the sternum. Any movement increases the discomfort, including coughing, sneezing, even breathing. Sometimes pain can also be felt in the anterior abdominal wall. An attack of intercostal neuralgia caused by thoracic osteochondrosis can last from several hours to several weeks. It may go away without treatment, but later has long-term relapses. Provocative factors for such an attack of intercostal neuralgia can be heavy lifting, prolonged uncomfortable posture, hypothermia, colds and stress.
What is thoracic osteochondrosis? What are its symptoms and how to treat it?
About the causes and symptomsosteochondrosis of the thoracic regionspine and new methods of treatment told a professional doctor and professor.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest
Medical treatment of osteochondrosis
In case of osteochondrosis of the chest, the usual symptomatic treatment for pain relief is carried out: NSAIDs, analgesics, as well as anesthetic ointments and gels. If necessary, muscle relaxants, antidepressants are prescribed.
At each stage of osteochondrosis, treatment includes the appointment of chondroprotectors (medications that restore cartilage tissue), vitamins and minerals (to increase the strength of ligaments and restore the structure of bone tissue).
Drug therapy should be combined with other treatments:
- gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis (performed daily several times a day);
- physical therapy;
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- acupressure (tactile impact on acupuncture points, which has an exciting and soothing effect on the body)
- acupuncture (or acupuncture) - the introduction of special needles for therapeutic purposes in biologically active points.
Acupressure and acupuncture reduce pain, normalize blood pressure, and stimulate the immune system.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the chest is aimed at strengthening the muscles of the back, muscles of the shoulder girdle and respiratory muscles, restoring the physiological curves of the spine and forming a correct posture.
Massage helps relieve muscle hypertonus, pain, improves blood supply to paravertebral tissues and cartilage nutrition. Massage in combination with exercise therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis gives the maximum positive effect.
A therapeutic patch shows very good results in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest with a patch
Medicines prescribed for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, such as NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, etc. With prolonged use, they can harm the body. And in the presence of certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, many of these drugs are generally contraindicated.
To minimize the side effects of drugs and increase the effectiveness of the treatment of osteochondrosis, a drug of a new generation helps - a therapeutic analgesic anti-inflammatory patch.
The medical patch has shown high effectiveness in the treatment of various diseases of the spine, including the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest. It allows you to relieve pain and inflammation, improve blood circulation in the affected area and reduce the dose of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
To relieve acute symptoms in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine, a medical patch is used for 3 to 5 days. Duration of the treatment course - from 9 days. It is usually recommended to use the medical patch in the morning for 12 hours, but it is possible to apply it at night.
High efficiency, unique composition, long-term (up to 12 hours! ) therapeutic effect, ease of use and affordable price make the patch a choice in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest.