The disease-chameleon is often called osteochondrosis of the chest. It is quite difficult to make a diagnosis, it is often confused with other diseases. At the same time, osteochondrosis rarely occurs in the thoracic region and is a damage to the intervertebral discs.
How does the disease occur?
Osteochondrosis affecting the thoracic spine is often disguised as a pathology of internal organs. It is manifested by pain in the heart, shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air when breathing, and panic attacks. Therefore, the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is somewhat difficult.
The intervertebral discs of each segment of the spine consist of the nucleus pulposus and the stronger annulus fibrosus. The latter semi-liquid protects the core and prevents its damage.
However, due to certain reasons, there are cases where the metabolic processes slow down and, as a result, the pressure on the discs increases. In this case, the disc is deformed, its structure is broken.
If treatment is not started at this stage, the symptoms become more pronounced. The annulus fibrosus may crack and the nucleus may dry out.
The disease causes damage to spinal nerves and destruction of joints.
Causes of the disease
Various reasons can provoke the appearance of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, the most common of which are:
- chest trauma;
- immobility, sedentary work (for those who work at a computer or drive);
- scoliosis.
In addition, problems with the thoracic region are associated with its structure. In this interval of the spine, there are more compressed discs than in the lower back or cervical region. Due to the presence of ribs and muscle corset, the thoracic region moves less.
There are cases where the main cause of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region of the spine is osteochondrosis of other departments.
What is the danger of osteochondrosis?
Despite the symptoms, if treatment is delayed, osteochondrosis in the thoracic region can cause a number of complications and problems, including:
- intercostal neurology - when the intercostal nerves are compressed;
- spinal cord compression;
- shortness of breath, heart problems;
- problems in the work of intestines, liver, kidneys;
- stool problems;
- torn.
What diseases can be confused with osteochondrosis?
As mentioned above, the symptoms of osteochondrosis do not always allow the diagnosis to be established quickly. Therefore, osteochondrosis of the chest can be accidentally confused with:
- pathologies of mammary glands;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- pneumonia (two diseases can be distinguished with dry cough, shortness of breath and fever with pneumonia. Such symptoms are not observed during osteochondrosis);
- heart attack (in this case, osteochondrosis can be distinguished through a cardiogram);
- renal colic.
Symptoms
Symptoms of radiculopathy with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region occur most often, that is, those associated with the compression of nerve trunks and the appearance of a hernia between the vertebrae. At this time, severe pain manifests itself after physical labor and exercise. In the following weeks, the symptoms become more pronounced, depending on the location of the hernia. If the upper part of the liver, heart, stomach suffers. If it is lower, the problems are related to the kidneys.
The location of the hernia also has a significant impact on symptoms. So, if it is located near the middle, the pains intensify, continue continuously for several weeks and do not subside after taking medication. Lateral hernia is manifested by periodic and mild pain, local sensitivity loss is possible.
Osteochondrosis of the chest accompanied by compression of the spinal cord has the following symptoms:
- severe pain;
- numbness of limbs;
- pain spreads to stomach, groin, legs;
- pelvic organ dysfunction.
In addition to the above, osteochondrosis may show additional symptoms, in particular:
- numbness of individual skin areas;
- sensation of "eyelid" in thoracic spine;
- fragility of nails;
- dry skin, peeling;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea or, conversely, constipation);
- give pain in the throat;
- itching or cold feeling in the lower extremities.
Dorsago as a result of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is characterized by the presence of a rib. This is one of its main symptoms. In fact, the word "dorsago" should be understood as a very strong and sudden pain in the chest. It is often called "shooting" because the sensation in this case is the same as a knife wound. Dorsago's violent attack makes it difficult to breathe and impossible to move freely. This happens after long-term physical exertion in people already suffering from osteochondrosis and joint diseases.
A mild but growing and lingering pain in the thoracic region is called dorsalgia. More pronounced symptoms when a person bends over. The pain can also intensify at night, especially often in women suffering from osteochondrosis who wear high-heeled shoes.
Diagnostics
Thoracic osteochondrosis should be treated effectively. Without it, the symptoms will only intensify and interfere with normal life.
After detecting the symptoms, the doctor sends the patient for further examination. Among the most commonly used diagnostic methods for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region:
- MRI. The tomograph allows to obtain a clear three-dimensional image of the studied area of the human body with contrast. Therefore, the doctor can see the condition of the vertebrae of the thoracic region and assess the health of the joints. The procedure does not take much time (from 20 to 55 minutes) and is painless. The patient should open the thoracic spine and lie on a special sofa. The scanner placed on top of the person takes a photo of the sections at this time.
- Ultrasound procedure. Before treatment, it is necessary to make sure that osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is not accompanied by tumors. The ultrasound method is suitable for this. The device clearly shows the condition of soft tissues, joints, intervertebral discs. As in the first case, the procedure does not take much time and is painless. With the help of ultrasound examination, the breast area of pregnant women and even children can be examined.
Of course, no treatment is offered by the doctor until the patient passes general clinical blood and urine tests, as well as the results of the electrocardiogram. The latter allows a doctor with similar symptoms to distinguish osteochondrosis of the chest from a heart attack or other heart problems.
Treatment
By referring to a neuropathologist, a patient with thoracic osteochondrosis will receive the recommended course of treatment. Methods and drugs, as well as the period of their use, are determined by the doctor in each individual case. As a rule, when osteochondrosis is detected in the chest, doctors recommend:
- drug treatment - its purpose is to relieve pain, muscle spasms, reduce the inflammatory process, restore tissues around the joints and vertebrae;
- physiotherapy - aims to use ultrasound waves, electric current or laser to relieve acute pain in the chest area and reduce the negative effects of osteochondrosis, provides joint treatment;
- manual therapy - thanks to the massage movements of a specialist, it is possible to adapt the position of the discs of the thoracic region, to eliminate spasm;
- isometric kinesiotherapy (gymnastics treatment) - helps improve the mobility of the thoracic region, relieves pain.
In addition to the methods described above, the treatment of osteochondrosis can be carried out using hirudotherapy, millimeter wave therapy, apitherapy, magnetic therapy and other methods.