Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

A thoracic osteosarcoma (GO) is rarely diagnosed, whereas in the neck and low back, it can be diagnosed in 2 to 3 patients 18 years of age or older. This phenomenon is explained by the special structure of the thoracic part - the presence of a large number of intervertebral discs, thus having a finer structure. This part of the spine has low mobility, and therefore the load on it is not high, since the main "blow" is taken by the sternum together with the ribs.

The main reason why the development of thoracic pathology begins is an increase in the load on the intervertebral discs and, as a result, a violation of metabolic processes, as well as their structure.. . . When suffering from such disease, the shock-absorbing properties of the disc are lost, the fibrous capsule thins and dries, after this process, the nerve endings become inflamed, the patient feels constant pain, discomfort and pain. reduced motor activity. . With the rapid progression of the disease, affects the ligaments of the spine and joints.

Currently, many experts have considered it as a rule for classifying osteonecrosis not by stages of the process, but by degree, which is further distinguished by the specificity of symptoms.

If we take into account the general symptoms, then thoracic osteonecrosis is not pronounced, unlike its other types, which nevertheless, have a characteristic clinical picture. Therefore, the patient may complain of the presence of the following signs:

• pain in the chest area, often aggravated by long-term exposure to one location or at night;
• pain sensation between the shoulder blades, during, which increases when raising the arm or after exertion;
• discomfort, pain when trying to take a deep breath, this symptom is also noted when you exhale;
• While walking, I feel pain in the ribs and a feeling of tightness in the chest.

Such manifestations, which can accompany a person for several weeks, should be considered an exacerbation of the disease.

What other symptoms may be observed with HO? In addition to the main clinical picture, in some cases the following manifestations may be present:

• numbness in the upper extremities, a feeling of "goosebumps";
• disruption of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
• cold feeling in the legs, inability to warm them.

In addition, the characteristic signs of such a disease are low back pain - the appearance of sharp pains between the shoulder blades and back pain - a slow pain syndrome without a pronounced image.

It should be noted that, like any other type of osteonecrosis, thoracic disease usually affects people with sedentary lifestyles. Continuous computer sitting, stooping, heavy exertion also become factors that stimulate the development of the disease.

What are the symptoms of the disease in women and men?

The development of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the thoracic region in a patient is considered a diagnosis - thoracic osteonecrosis. With this disease, there is destruction of the intervertebral discs and malnutrition in the structures of the connective tissue. In addition, the blood circulation is also interrupted, so the chest area is not active. And the pain syndrome itself appears due to the compression of nerve endings during the progression of the pathology.

As the statistical data show, HO is diagnosed in women more often than in men, and at a younger age. The main cause of this phenomenon is due to the change in hormone levels when entering menopause. The impetus for the development of the disease is also osteoporosis, which is often detected in women at the onset of menopause.

Therapeutic measures are developed taking into account the clinical picture of the pathology. Severe symptoms do not appear immediately, people often take a long time to suspect the presence of disease. In particular, it is possible to establish a diagnosis during clear imaging, when symptoms have become apparent. When it comes to a pronounced period, two types of symptoms need to be distinguished here:

1. Develop a sense of pain. . . Here we are talking about the appearance of pain in the chest area, between the shoulder blades, radiating to the area of the solar plexus. The pain syndrome can migrate to the neck region, mimicking the process of osteonecrosis of the neck and into the arm. Often women observe pain in the mammary glands, easy to confuse with mammary gland diseases. As a rule, pain sensations are not permanent, they are painful, but at the same time, they have no intensity.
2. Blood pressure disorder. . . With osteonecrosis of the breast in women, there is such a syndrome as hypertension, which is characterized by an increase in pressure and can provoke a hypertensive crisis. A distinctive feature of normal hypertension may be the presence of a minimal effect from the use of drugs that lower blood pressure. In case you encounter similar situations, you should consult a spine specialist.

In addition to the above manifestations, it is necessary to distinguish other signs of degenerative-dystrophic disorders in the thoracic spine:

• Pain in the left side of the chest area,unrelated to heart damage. . . In medical terms, this phenomenon is called a heart attack. It is not difficult to diagnose it, since with the development of such a symptom, it cannot be stopped by the use of cardiac drugs.
• Disruption to the functioning of the digestive system. . . Usually, when osteonecrosis begins to progress, problems begin to occur with internal organs, usually in the gastrointestinal tract. The most prominent examples are the formation of heartburn, increased acidity, and a constant feeling of bloating (flatulence). Among other things, there may be problems with the digestion of food - nausea after eating, heaviness, bloating. Against the background of all of the above, the work of the chair is also disrupted - frequent constipation or diarrhea.
• Respiratory disorder. . . Since dystrophy takes place in the thoracic region, cases of violations of the respiratory system are not uncommon. All of this is accompanied by unreasonable dizziness, general weakness, shortness of breath, and other signs that may indirectly resemble heart disease or pressure problems (arterial/intracranial).

As for the treatment, much depends on the signs of the pathological process. To relieve pain, pain relievers are prescribed, including NSAIDs in the form of ointments or gels. During the exacerbation period, muscle relaxants are more effective, reducing smooth muscle spasms, relaxing muscles, reducing pain syndrome, and reviews for use are positive. When the pain becomes completely unbearable, blockade with analgesics is used.

Thoracic treatment

Exactly how GO will manifest depends on the pathological changes taking place in the intervertebral discs. It is common to distinguish four stages of the process of degenerative-dystrophic disorders of the chest:

• The first. . . However, the symptoms are not particularly pronounced, the process of dehydration of the discs of the thoracic spine has already begun. As a result, they lose their elasticity, begin to have a flatter appearance, but at the same time, they are still able to withstand certain loads. The stinging sensation is sometimes bothersome, but it is not mild and usually does not require pain medication.
• Second letter. . . At this stage, negative changes affect the annular fibrous fibers, various types of damage are observed - cracks, instability. There are changes in the pain syndrome, it becomes more intrusive, palpable, intensifies with an increase in motor activity - flexion, rotation.
• Tuesday. . . On the X-ray film, the rupture of the lumbar fibrous can be clearly seen and a hernia begins to form. Pain becomes more apparent, from a whining character that can transform into a sharper character, intensifying with movement and even at rest.
• Wednesday. . . Degenerative spondylosis is actively developing, against the background of the convergence of the vertebrae and the eradication of the intervertebral discs. As a result, the connective tissue of the annulus is replaced by bone tissue, significantly limiting mobility.

The clinical picture of thoracic osteonecrosis should be more likely to diagnose this disorder:

• Pain. . . Almost always, its localization is in a specific place, usually on the left side. After a while, it spreads to the entire chest area, breathing, climbing stairs or movement also becomes difficult.
• Increased pain. . . Strength occurs when turning or leaning, in general, with any physical activity, the same is noticed when trying to take a deep breath.
• Muscle spasms. . . Muscle spasms are added to the above symptoms, mainly in the upper back. In some rarer cases, such a symptom is present in the lumbar region.

In addition, it should be noted that intercostal neuralgia, which tends to last for several weeks and then goes away on its own. During this time, a person is accompanied by chest tightness, aggravated by movement, and discomfort when trying to take a deep breath in/out. Women may have the impression of problems with the mammary glands, which should prompt them to think about getting them treated, and in men, a sensation of a foreign body behind the breastbone.

It should also be noted that the overall clinical picture described above is enhanced at night or after hypothermia. The next morning, as a rule, everything becomes easier, but by evening everything repeats itself again.

How to treat, what methods exist, what drugs to take? As for therapeutic measures, they should be started as soon as possible. Usually, in the early stages, you can do without drugs, with just regular exercise - therapeutic exercise.

The later stages of the development of the pathology, to 2 degrees, are associated with the use of drugs. This includes many different classes of drugs, the most common of which are shown in the table below.

Drug group	The main action of the drug
Pain reliever, pain reliever	They relieve pain syndrome, reduce its manifestation.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)	Inflammation, pain relief, swelling.
Chondroprotectors	They increase the production of intra-articular secretions, slow down the destruction of cartilage, reduce manifestations of the inflammatory process.
Muscle relaxants	They reduce the tone of skeletal muscles, have a relaxing effect and help treat back pain effectively.
Sedatives, tranquilizers	For more effective therapy, as intense pain can cause stress, reducing the effectiveness of treatment.

In addition to essential medications, a course of multivitamins is recommended.

In cases where the entire clinical picture is aggravated, the primary goal of therapy will be to relieve symptoms. For a more rapid and pronounced effect, pain relievers are prescribed in the form of injections, as well as in the form of steroids.

After eliminating the exacerbation and achieving a steady state, baseline therapy should be initiated. Various drugs can be prescribed, since a complex effect on the disease can give a positive result.

The main drugs are described in the table above, then in more detail about them. Therefore, the basic method of treatment will include the appointment of drugs such as the following:

• Chondroprotectors.They are used in tablet form and for topical treatment, in the form of ointments or gels. The use of such drugs cannot be excluded, they are the basis for complete therapy. Their action is aimed at inhibiting the destruction of cartilage tissue and the further progression of dystrophic changes. In addition, they also increase the regenerative capacity of cartilage. However, it is not possible to completely eliminate the pathology with the help of such a drug; It should not be considered a panacea.
• Vasodilators. . . They are needed to improve blood circulation and, accordingly, nutrition in the affected area. Usually, a fairly effective drug is prescribed to improve blood microcirculation, which helps to cope with pain that occurs at rest.
• Topical therapy. . . For the best effect, an ointment or gel is prescribed. So, good results can be achieved only with the help of a complex effect, therefore, when prescribing NSAIDs and chondroprotectors, it is customary to add ointments of the same pharmacological group. . Also popular are creams based on bee or snake venom, which have a pronounced analgesic effect and are a good addition to the main therapy.
• Vitamin. . . In particular, vitamins of group B. They have analgesic properties, help to cope with inflammatory processes and the invasion of nerve endings.
• Without fail, together with the effect of the drug, a course of physiotherapy, massage therapy, exercise therapy is prescribed.

What other therapies should be included in the treatment of thoracic osteonecrosis? An experienced professional would actually recommend the following techniques:

• acupuncture, electrophoresis, mud therapy;
• complex of physiotherapeutic exercises;
• acupuncture, acupressure.

You should also adhere to a certain diet, you should exclude the use of alcohol, spicy foods, reduce the use of salt.

Particular attention is paid to therapeutic exercises, it should be done daily, and preferably several times a day. Please note that the set of exercises was developed exclusively by the attending physician - a chiropractor or traumatologist. Physical education is carried out in the absence of exacerbations, in the absence of pronounced pains, in the presence of acute pain syndrome, maximum rest must be observed.

Sports with osteonecrosis is not the last thing. With this pathology, it is important to regularly perform all the indicated exercises that will strengthen the muscles and positively affect the outcome of treatment.

We should also mention traditional medicine. On the Internet, you can find many recipes based on natural ingredients. Folk remedies should not be taken as an independent method, because of the fact that their effectiveness will be very low and in many cases zero. However, as an adjunct to orthodox therapy, folk remedies may be encouraged. The following homemade recipes are known:

• Ingredients for the first part: 3 tablespoons of rye flour, 1 teaspoon of turpentine and a teaspoon of iodine and garlic. Mix everything well and use as an ointment at night.
• Second time: 5 tablets of metamizole sodium and 5 ml of camphor alcohol. Make the tablets into a powder, then pour in the alcohol and apply overnight as an application.

Needle injection is considered another alternative therapy. Its action is aimed at relieving pain syndrome through needle massage.

In the event that all the described methods of therapy do not bring the desired results or do not last long, the question of prescribing surgery will be decided. Surgery is necessary when the pain syndrome cannot be eliminated, the degenerative-dystrophic process continues to develop, and at the same time negative changes in the functioning of internal organs are observed. If your doctor still recommends surgery, you shouldn't immediately refuse. Timely intervention will allow you to get rid of such a problem, fully restore the work of the organs and exclude further development of complications.

Surgery usually consists of two stages. The first is aimed at eliminating the cause - decompression, due to which the pain syndrome is eliminated. The second stage is the stabilization of the spine afterwards.

Thoracic osteosarcoma is a serious disease that not only disrupts the activities of the musculoskeletal system but also negatively affects systems and organs.

It's important to monitor your own health, take precautions, monitor your diet and be physically active. Regular exercise is an effective way of preventing osteonecrosis, but don't forget that any load should be moderate.

Cervical type treatment

Cervical osteosarcoma is not considered an independent disease. In this case, we are talking about a set of disorders that appear in the intervertebral disc and have the potential to affect muscle tissue, as well as nearby organs.

Mastoid mastoid tumors are not uncommon, with more than 20% of diagnoses due to this disease. The disease is very insidious, with a variety of symptoms in many cases, causing doctors to suspect other diseases not related to the spine. For example, the doctor may suggest the occurrence of angina attacks, recommend a drug, which in the end will yield no results and, at worst, will negatively affect your health. state of the cardiac system. For this reason, it is very important to distinguish osteonecrosis from pathologies of internal organs. So, for dystrophy in the cervical region, the following signs are characteristic:

• Frequent headaches;
• loss of strength, followed by dizziness;
• pain in the neck area, flowing down the shoulder, shoulder blade, muscle stiffness;
• compression of the intercostal nerve roots, thereby causing the pain syndrome, as well as its exacerbation;
• violation of blood pressure, there may be a decrease from hypertension to hypotension, more often in women;
• vision loss, problems with hearing aids (hearing loss);
• In men, reduced potency with neurological overload against the background of the disease.

An important point is to establish an accurate diagnosis, several diagnostic measures will be required here, including: X-ray examination, ultrasound, MRI, CT.

Comprehensive treatment is required and should include:

• medicine;
• various physiotherapeutic techniques;
• physical therapy;
• non-traditional therapy (reflexology, acupuncture).

Consideration should also be given to non-pharmacological measures, e. g. reducing physical activity, including minimizing load, changing mattresses and purchasing an orthopedic pillow.

Atypical symptoms, sensations and pain

In addition to the typical pain presenting with evidence of osteonecrosis in the thorax, there are many atypical pain that cannot be related to spinal disorders. However, you should know about them:

• Broken heart. . . Often, with such a pathology, attacks of the heart appear, while mimicking heart attacks. A distinguishing feature is their duration. Unlike true heart attacks, with osteonecrosis the pain is long-lasting, possibly lasting several weeks. In addition, the use of traditional medicines also did not reduce the manifestations of pain. This is something to think about in the presence of another non-cardiac condition.
• Copycatpathology of the mammary gland. . . This clinical picture applies directly to the patient. Often, thoracic osteonecrosis reminds people of diseases of the breast, since a woman can observe pain in the chest area for a long time, spreading to the glands. To determine the real cause of such a symptom, or at least to rule out problems with the mammary glands, is possible only after being examined by a breast specialist.
• Pain in the abdominal cavity. . . This symptom makes one suspect the presence of gastritis and other diseases of the digestive system. Confusingly, a gastroenterologist may diagnose pancreatitis or cholecystitis. It is possible to refute or confirm such diagnoses with the help of a thorough examination.
• In addition to these signs, the patient may feelchest discomfortdescribed as having a foreign body. Often difficulty taking a deep breath or exhaling, feeling unable to take a deep breath, shortness of breath with little physical activity.

The process of treating degenerative - dystrophy disease is not simple, it requires a long time, effort on the part of the patient and the expertise of the treating doctor.

Remember to consult your doctor before treating an illness. This will help take into account individual tolerability, confirm the diagnosis, ensure that treatment is correct, and rule out negative drug interactions. If you use a prescription without consulting your doctor, you do so at your own risk. All information is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical assistance. All responsibility for the application lies with you.