Pain and restraint are all characteristic manifestations of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. But the insidiousness of this pathology also lies in the fact that the internal organs are affected both at the level of the chest and below, so no one but the doctor can understand what is happening. Osteochondrosis occurs as a result of degenerative-dystrophic processes involving the discs of the discs, joints, ligaments, and spine.
Symptoms of the disease can appear at a very early stage. But the disease of the spine can be affected, the point is to know the causes, the regularities, according to which it develops. Physicians are more or less aware of the causes, but the mechanism of development somehow remains in the "shadow".
Causes and development of the disease
Any part of the spine is constantly under load, both static and dynamic. Constant pressure leads to a violation of the integrity of the intervertebral disc. Damaged, the inner part begins to protrude outward.
The cartilage disc, like all other cartilage, feeds in a special way: it releases fluid when pressed, and when the pressure is released, it absorbs all the nutrients sponge-like. This mechanism does not work during prolonged static postures or training when applying constant pressure to the plate. Daily morning exercises have a positive effect on nutrition.
Stages of degeneration
To better understand the symptoms, you need to understand what stages the intervertebral disc goes through and what happens to it. However, as in the whole spine.
There is no pain in the first stage and the seizure does not occur in any way, but the process has already started, the inner part is already moving freely.
In the second stage, the pain attack is already fully felt, radical symptoms are joining, the person is actively using ointments, but the cause is not resolved. The disc gradually extends and begins to compress the spinal cord. In the third stage, the onset of pain, which manifests itself primarily in osteochondrosis of the chest region, becomes brighter and more intense, ointments do not help. The disc gradually bulges and protrudes.
The last stage leads to the appearance of signs of damage outside of the disk components. The clinical picture is characterized by compression of the roots, blood vessels, and spinal cord. As a result, a pain attack of significant intensity develops.
The body does everything it can to reduce the pain, as a result of which characteristic growths, osteophytes, appear on the spine. The roots of the spinal cord are compressed due to narrowing of the intervertebral cavities. The pressure leads to the fact that the other internal organs are involved. Their treatment does not produce results, which sometimes confuses the doctor.
Symptoms of the disease
Very often the reason for the defeat of this section of the spine lies in the sedentary lifestyle, clarification of this condition greatly facilitates diagnosis. They usually put pressure when a person is sitting next to a computer or in a chair for a long time. The pain will mostly be dull and then sore and burning. It is located in the middle, between the shoulder blades, with some compression in the chest area.
If you try to feel the region of the spiky and transverse processes in the spine, the pain increases significantly.
Diagnosis is simplified by tension in the paravertebral muscles. The signs intensify if you ask the patient to take a deep breath, turn to your body.
Some patients experience pain in the shoulder blade or lower chest spine. This is called posterior costalis syndrome and develops as a result of dislocation of the lower ribs. The pain may disappear suddenly, but may intensify as you turn.
The signs are manifested in the belt pain along the spaces between the ribs, where the nerve passes. Sensitivity is impaired in the area where the injured nerve branches. Due to paresthesia, deep and superficial sensitivity decreases. Signs are accompanied by a violation of the function of the abdominal press, the reflexes of the knee and heel are reduced.
Damage to internal organs
Along with the pain, there is a violation of the function of the internal organs. In the region of the thoracic spinal cord, there are centers responsible for the work of the heart, lungs, liver, intestines and kidneys, and the pancreas. Difficulty breathing, pain and disruption of heart function, which resembles angina pectoris, can interfere. The mammary glands may be sore, or everything is localized in the region of the right or left hypochondria, reminiscent of inflammation of the gallbladder or pancreas.
Sore throat or esophagus. The symptoms are located in the left hypochondria or abdominal region and resemble the symptoms of gastritis or inflammation of the gut (colitis, enteritis). Violations can come from the kidneys and the reproductive system.
Diagnosis
It can be difficult to make a correct diagnosis based on symptoms alone. Therefore, the diagnosis involves taking an x-ray. It shows the characteristic changes in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region in the form of decreased plate height, end-stage sclerosis, and osteophyte formation.
In addition, a CT scan will be performed if the X-ray does not give results. The test is supplemented by MRI, which shows soft tissues, so a diagnosis of disc herniation is made.
Differential diagnosis requires special attention, not just on the basis of complaints and clinical manifestations. Thus, pain in the heart area is not affected by medications used to treat angina pectoris. Pain in the epigastric region is not affected by food intake and there are no seasonal symptoms. It shows up every night and disappears completely after a night’s sleep.
Treatment
Treatment involves taking all kinds of medicines, these are tablets and injections. The inflammatory process is started with medications that relieve inflammation, traditionally using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They eliminate pain and inflammation, help relax muscles. They should only be prescribed by a doctor, otherwise there is a high risk of complications and there are contraindications. The tablets are often taken after a meal as recommended, but your doctor may prescribe injections. Topically, this group of drugs is used in the form of an ointment, which is applied about three times a day.
Painkillers can supplement the group of medicines described above, in case of severe pain, the injections are prescribed by a doctor, if all is not so bad, the tablets are also suitable. In the case of pain of significant intensity, blockade with the drug can be performed directly into the focus of the pain, allowing the attack to be removed quickly. Special anesthetic ointments can also complement the treatment.
Chondroprotectors allow the structure of cartilage to be restored, but you will need to take the medication for a long time in this group. The doctor prescribes injections or tablets at his or her discretion, which are taken in courses. Recently, compositions of this group have been presented in the form of an ointment for topical application.
Supplement the full treatment with medication from the antispasmodic group. The aim of the action is to relax the trapped arteries and nerves. The pressure decreases and the patient's condition improves.
Ointments are actively used, acting topically, helping to relieve pain attacks. Ointments are applied to the painful area where the skin is warmed. In addition, ointments are used along the nerves so they can be more effective in relieving pain. Addition, in addition to the ointment, the treatment is able to mustard patch
Hormone-based drugs are also used, mainly injections. They are prescribed as a last resort when there is a need to alleviate the attacks of severe pain. Paraverbal blockade of the affected area of the nerve or root is often used, and drugs are used based on hormones.
Supplement all vitamin-based preparations, injections into the muscle. Medications can be bioactive supplements whose tablets improve cartilage nutrition and relieve pressure.
Physiotherapy
All sorts of techniques are actively used to appease strong attacks. With the procedures, you can use drugs that act as a kind of blockade. The list of procedures can be represented as follows:
- Shockwave therapy. Thanks to the shock wave, it restores the nutrition and blood supply to the spine, eliminates the onset of pain, and allows inflammation to escape.
- Ultraviolet radiation. Promotes better absorption of calcium.
- vibration therapy. Exposure to high frequency sounds improves blood flow, relieves pressure and pain.
- Magnetotherapy. Exposure to magnetic fields improves the vital processes of cells, accelerating regeneration. He does the same with Darson.
- Electrophoresis. The effect of current, which helps drugs penetrate deeper into tissues.
- Diodynamics. The effect of variable frequency current is effective in reducing pain.
- Swimming. Allows the muscles to relax. It is only recommended to swim in the hot water pool.
- Balneotherapy. Can be used to treat mineral waters and sludges. Minerals contribute to the healing process, reducing the pressure on the roots.
- Acupuncture. This ensures that the thin needles act on the active points of the body.
- Manual therapy or massage. You can also use ointments to help relax your muscles and release your blood vessels and nerves.
The methods are strictly selected individually by the physician. The most important thing is not to start the disease.