Signs, treatment, and complications of thoracic osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is an aging process of the spine and surrounding tissues. Experts have replaced osteochondrosis with a more precise term - "degenerative dystrophic changes". As we age, everyone's spine will undergo such changes to varying degrees.In its early stages, osteochondrosis rarely manifests at all. Back pain means changes in the spine have begun and are progressing. In this article, we will discuss thoracic osteochondrosis, symptoms, and treatment.Due to its stability, the chest area is more susceptible than the neck and lumbar areas. Women are more likely to develop osteochondrosis of the chest. High-risk groups are those who sit for long periods of time. Degenerative dystrophic changes in the spine occur in 30% of people after age 35 and in 50-90% of older adults.In order not to waste time and avoid the consequences of osteochondrosis, it is important to consult a qualified doctor at the first symptoms.

How the spine ages: mechanisms of osteochondrosis development

The vertebral bodies are separated from each other by intervertebral discs. The intervertebral disc consists of a centrally located nucleus and a peripherally located annulus fibrosus. As we age, the intervertebral discs absorb less oxygen and nutrients, and the cartilage tissue gradually breaks down. The intervertebral discs lose their stiffness and elasticity. This is how osteochondrosis starts; it progresses and leads to complications due to an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle. Cracks appear on the surface of the annulus fibrosus, and the nucleus pulposus protrudes from it, forming a herniation and hernia. The injury process involves vertebrae, ligaments, intercostal nerves, muscles, and fascia. Pain in the back, creaking when moving the body, loss of mobility in the intervertebral joints.

Stages and complications of spinal osteochondrosis

1. The first stageThe intervertebral disc produces less collagen and lowers water concentration. It becomes flatter. Cracks began to appear on its surface. Discomfort and fatigue in the back. X-rays usually don't show any changes initially.
2. second stageThe surface of the intervertebral disc ruptures, the nucleus pulposus moves away from the center, and the annulus fibrosus loses its elasticity. This causes a herniated disc: it protrudes into the spinal canal in the form of a cone and puts pressure on the paravertebral ligaments. Moderate pain occurs. The surrounding muscles remain tight and limit the range of motion of the chest area. On an X-ray, you can see how the height of the intervertebral space decreases.
3. The third phaseThrough the fissure in the annulus fibrosus, the nucleus pulposus or part of the nucleus pulposus enters the spinal canal. The vertebrae move closer together and osteophytes (bone growths) appear on their bodies. Osteophytes limit mobility and increase the surface area of the vertebrae, allowing load to be distributed more evenly. The roots of the spine are affected, causing back pain that worsens and spreads along the rib cage. X-rays show osteophytes and dramatic narrowing of the intervertebral spaces.
4. Stage 4During this stage, severe pain persists in the back. Posture changes, making it difficult for people to perform normal movements. Psycho-emotional areas are affected. X-rays show spinal deformity.

Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis

The main cause of osteochondrosis is the degenerative dystrophic changes in the spine that occur with age. There are many factors and diseases that affect the occurrence of osteochondrosis:

• sedentary lifestyle
• overweight
• frequent hypothermia
• bad habits
• Lifting weights incorrectly
• Uneven load on one shoulder when carrying heavy objects
• genetic predisposition
• flatfoot
• Pregnant
• breast-feeding
• Spinal deformity, poor posture - scoliosis, kyphosis
• Metabolic disorders in endocrine diseases - diabetes, gout, thyroid pathology
• Autoimmune diseases - systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis
• walking in high heels
• back injury

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in women and men

Clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis include the following symptoms: pain, muscle tension, radicular symptoms, and sometimes facet joint symptoms.

1. pain syndromeHerniations, hernias, and osteophytes can put pressure on the paravertebral ligaments, causing pain. In the early stages of osteochondrosis, it appears only after lifting weights or physical activity and disappears after rest. As the disease progresses, pain may occur even without movement.
2. muscle tension syndromePersistent muscle spasms occur due to pain. Muscles throughout the spine often spasm, so pain occurs not only in the chest, but also in the neck and waist.
3. radiculopathy syndromeProtrusions and hernias can compress nerve roots, causing pain and burning in the ribs. The pain usually occurs at night and worsens with movement.
4. facet joint syndromeIt develops with the articulation of the facet joints between the vertebral arches. With this syndrome, pain occurs in the back and chest area. Pain may last for years and cause limited mobility.

A classic symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis is pain between the shoulder blades. This feeling is intensified when a person turns, bends, straightens, or rounds their back. Pain can be acute or chronic:

• Acute pain that occurs suddenly after a sudden move or turn. The attacks are short-lived: they usually go away after changing body position, but sometimes last for several days.
• Chronic pain persists for 12 weeks. People cannot stand for long periods of time; standing up after sitting for a long time will hurt.

Other manifestations of osteochondrosis include:

• pain, burning, chest contraction
• Retrosternal pain, located in the center of the chest, can radiate to the collarbone, neck, ribs, and arms, simulating cardiac pathology
• Constant creaking in the back when moving
• Shortness of breath due to pain when taking deep breaths in and out
• Difficulty moving the spine
• Weak back muscles
• Depression, depression caused by chronic pain
• Feeling of lump in chest

Differential diagnosis is based on the pathology of exacerbation of diseases of the lungs, cardiovascular system, breast, gastrointestinal tract.

Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis

When back pain first attacks, it is best to contact a neurologist. The doctor will make a correct diagnosis, rule out similar diseases, and find out why osteochondrosis occurs.At the initial appointment, doctors collect medical records: patients are asked to describe their chief complaint, medications they are taking, hereditary and chronic conditions, injuries, surgeries, and working conditions. For women, neurologists understand pregnancy and lactation.During the examination, the doctor will pay attention to the patient's appearance: posture, weight-to-height ratio, and body proportions. Check neurological status: muscle strength, limb sensitivity, tendon reflexes, spinal range of motion. Doctors also use special scales to assess pain.Instrumental diagnostic methods help establish the diagnosis:

• radiography. This is a simple study that reveals spinal curvature, vertebral fractures and dislocations, and narrowing of the intervertebral spaces.
• CT scan. This is a more informative method that shows pathology in the vertebrae and discs that are not visible on X-rays. Allows you to assess the extent of spinal damage and monitor the progress of treatment.
• Magnetic resonance imaging. It helps diagnose herniations, disc herniations, and spinal nerve root pathology.

To rule out heart and internal organ disease, your doctor may recommend an abdominal ultrasound, gastroscopy, or electrocardiogram.

Treatment: What to do about osteochondrosis of the chest

You should not self-medicate, prescribe medications, or self-surgery—this can lead to side effects and dangerous complications. Doctors must treat the patient and monitor the dynamics of his condition.How long treatment lasts depends on the stage of the process and the main symptoms. For conservative treatment of osteochondrosis, doctors use the following methods:

1. medical treatementThe main group of medications prescribed to the patient:
   • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – relieve pain, reduce inflammation and tissue swelling.
   • Muscle Relaxants - Relax muscles and reduce pain.
   • Glucocorticoids - slow down the destruction of intervertebral discs and reduce inflammation. These medications are prescribed when NSAIDs and muscle relaxants don't help.
2. physical therapyInstructors choose exercises to strengthen chest muscles, correct posture, and improve spinal mobility.
3. Different typesphysiotherapy. Apply:
   • Magnetic therapy - improves tissue metabolism, reduces pain and swelling.
   • Laser Treatment - Promotes nutrition and tissue repair, eliminates inflammation.
   • Shock wave therapy - destroys calcium salt deposits on the vertebrae and accelerates the regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue.
4. acupunctureIt stimulates blood circulation to the tissues in the area of the affected vertebrae, relaxes the muscles, and reduces pain and swelling.
5. braidPlace special tape on the skin in the sore area of your back. The tape regulates muscle tone and distributes the load correctly.
6. Massage, manual therapyAs a complementary therapy to relax muscles and improve spinal mobility.

Doctors did everything possible to treat the patient conservatively. If available therapies do not help, patients are referred to a neurosurgeon for consultation.

Complications: Risks of Chest Osteochondrosis in Men and Women

Changes in the spine can be prevented if you contact a specialist promptly and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Even adequate treatment does not necessarily guarantee a good prognosis if the patient sees a doctor in the final stages.Untreated osteochondrosis can lead to herniated or herniated discs, chronic pain in the back or other parts of the body, low mobility of the spine, and deformity.

Prevent osteochondrosis

To prevent the development of osteochondrosis in the chest, neck and other areas, it is important to follow the following rules:

• Sleeping on orthopedic mattresses and pillows
• When lifting weights, instead of bending over, squat down so the weight rests on your hips
• Carry a bag or backpack alternately on your left and right shoulders to avoid carrying only one side
• avoid injury
• Quit smoking and excessive drinking
• drink enough water
• Warm up, exercise, swim, and walk when sitting for long periods of time
• Monitor weight
• Prompt treatment of infectious and chronic diseases
• wear comfortable shoes

If you have back pain in your chest or elsewhere in your spine, don’t put off getting checked out. Make an appointment with a neurologist. Your doctor will perform a thorough diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. You will get rid of pain and keep your spine healthy.