Thoracic osteochondrosis is represented by dystrophic degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc. This pathology affects the thoracic spinal disc, which includes 12 vertebrae. This area has a strong muscular corset and is considered the least mobile, so osteochondrosis is very rare on it.
The development of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region is accompanied by compression of the spinal cord. This complication is due to narrowing of the spinal canal in this area of the spine. Spinal cord compression is a very dangerous condition that can trigger the development of diseases of the kidneys, heart, pancreas, liver. To avoid such complications, it is necessary to begin treatment of the disease in a timely manner.
cause
Causes of thoracic, cervical osteochondrosis are located in:
- dystrophic changes in tissues;
- violation of metabolic processes;
- scoliosis;
- irrational load on the disk;
- Malnutrition;
- being in an uncomfortable position for a long period of time (when working at a desk, driving a car).
Pain characteristics of pathological conditions
The pathology has similar symptoms to other diseases. For this reason, it is often referred to as "chameleon disease". The pain in osteochondrosis of the spine is very similar to the following diseases:
- renal colic;
- peptic ulcer;
- heart disease;
- appendix;
- colitis;
- gastric.
Therefore, for the differentiation of thoracic osteochondrosis, a thorough diagnosis is required.
The main symptom is the presence of pain, discomfort. They cover areas such as:
- back;
- heart;
- side;
- breast;
- upper abdomen.
When inhaling, exhaling, as well as during movement, there is an increase in pain in thoracic osteochondrosis. The patient may feel numbness in the left arm, the area between the shoulder blades.
There is also pain that spreads to the shoulder blades. This painful sensation is similar to intercostal neuralgia. The pain caused by thoracic osteochondrosis worsens at night.
For this reason, patients often blame such a condition as a symptom of a heart attack, angina pectoris. Pain in thoracic osteochondrosis from an attack of angina pectoris is distinguished by the inability to stop with nitroglycerin, the absence of any pathological signs on the ECG indicating disease of the cardiovascular system.
Pathology causes symptoms similar to diseases of the cardiovascular system. Therefore, patients often begin treatment on their own with heart medications, which do not bring any relief.
Pathological symptoms of the intervertebral disc depend on the mechanism caused by the pathological process, the localization of the disease. Spinal root compression has a significant effect. Occasionally, spinal cord compression with its characteristic pain sensation acts as a complication of this pathology.
Pathological symptoms develop in the neck, chest
The cervical region consists of 7 vertebrae, and the thoracic region consists of 12. With the development of osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region, the patient shows a variety of symptoms. This disease, due to its manifestations, can be confused with pathologies such as:
- myocardial infarction;
- violations of cerebral circulation;
- damage to teeth;
- vegetovascular dystonia;
- angina.
Osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region is indicated by pain in:
- back
- neck
- Teeth;
- head;
- upper members;
- stomach
- shoulder belts;
- dada;
- heart area.
In addition to pain, osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region manifests itself in:
- numbness of the neck, abdomen, chest;
- ringing in the ears;
- decreased work capacity;
- "Goosebumps" in front of the eyes;
- sleep disorders;
- potential disorders (in men);
- dizziness;
- irritable;
- jump in blood pressure.
Symptoms that appear during compression of radicular structures
Cervical-thoracic osteochondrosis with radicular syndrome manifests itself in severe pain, which has a different character depending on the affected segment.
Often it manifests itself in the form of radiculopathy, which mainly occurs with herniated discs. Patients feel symptoms of radiculopathy after doing physical exercise. Their slow growth was observed for several weeks.
When there is a connection between thoracic osteochondrosis and hernia, disc protrusion, the patient will experience significant pain in the following areas:
- shoulder joints;
- stomach;
- shoulder;
- rib;
- shoulder blade.
The symptoms of the disease also depend on the direction of the hernia (lateral, medium). If there are complications of lateral hernia, unilateral pain in the hernia area, loss of local sensation will appear. Coughing increases pain as well as spinal movement.
If osteochondrosis is accompanied by a median hernia, the patient will be plagued by prolonged pain that can last for weeks. The main danger of this condition is spinal cord compression.
If thoracic osteochondrosis is accompanied by spinal cord compression, the patient will experience:
- pelvic organ disorders;
- local, lumbar pain;
- weakness in the legs;
- pain in the intercostal space, abdomen, groin;
- numbness.
Radicular syndrome with pathological localization in the chest area
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, the patient develops radicular syndrome. It manifests itself in a painful sensation that increases with movement, appears abruptly and is reflected in other organs.
Radicular syndrome in this area has various manifestations:
- numbness of the axillary epithelium, shoulder blades, hands, dryness in the pharynx (with the defeat of the first segment);
- pain in the armpits, shoulder blades, sternum, dry throat, slight decrease in scapula, pain in the abdomen, esophagus (2-6 segments);
- paresthesia, muscle tension in the shoulder area, ribs, epigastric area. There is also pain in the heart, abdomen (7-8 segments);
- girdle pain, paresthesia from ribs to center. Muscle tone also increases, colic appears in the stomach, intestines (9-10 segments);
- paresthesia from the center to the groin. There may be a feeling of heaviness in the intestines, stomach (11-12 segments).
Radicular syndrome with pathological localization in the neck
With cervical spine radicular syndrome, the following symptoms appear:
- paresthesia of the crown, neck (with defeat of segment 1);
- paresthesia of the crown, back of the head + decreased tone of the chin muscles, shown in their sagging (segment 2);
- language paresthesia, speech defects (segment 3);
- pain in the heart, liver (segment 4);
- weakness, pain in shoulder joints, arms (segment 5);
- pain up to the thumb on the hand. There are disadvantages when lifting the arms. The cause is a decrease in biceps tone (segment 6);
- weakness in neck, shoulders, shoulder blades, forearms, arms, second and third fingers (segment 7);
- pain up to the little finger (segment 8).
Characteristics of symptoms in women
The symptoms of the disease largely depend on the sensitivity of the patient, his individual characteristics. Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in women are more pronounced than in men.
This is due to the fact that women’s bodies are an order of magnitude more sensitive than men’s.
The part of the female spine is much thinner, smaller, which contributes to the rapid manifestation of symptoms of degenerative-dystrophic processes. Let's see how thoracic osteochondrosis manifests itself in women.
The symptoms of this vertebral disease are:
- pain when raising hands;
- chest ache;
- Tightness in the chest;
- local pain between shoulder blades;
- accompanying deep breathing with severe pain;
- round accompaniment, slanted with a stinging sensation.
Each of these symptoms is associated with an inflammatory process in the spine. If the disease is accompanied by the development of an intervertebral hernia, the signs of other diseases that are characteristic of neurological and vascular disorders also accompany the signs of the above disease:
- itching, cold, burning on the lower part of the feet;
- numbness of the skin, a feeling of "goosebumps";
- nail fragility;
- heartache;
- disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
- epithelial exfoliation.
The symptoms in women resemble mammary gland disease. For this reason, the disease in question requires additional diagnostic methods.
In men, thoracic osteochondrosis occurs less frequently than in women. This is due to anatomical features, which consist of the strength of the elements of the spine. In men, symptoms are only compounded by potential disorders.