The most common cause of pain in the upper and middle parts of the back is cervicothoracic osteochondrosis. And although this slowly progressing condition is not fatal, it significantly deteriorates a person's quality of life and, in some cases, can lead to disability. And only the maximum possible elimination of the factors leading to uneven pressure on the motion segments of the spine can slow down the irreversible processes of biological aging and thereby alleviate the condition.
Causes of degenerative spinal injuries
Osteochondrosis of the cervico-thoracic region is a multifactorial pathology of the intervertebral discs connecting 7 cervical vertebrae and 12 thoracic vertebrae. The most common causes of degenerative changes are:
- gravity (displacement of the center of gravity and redistribution of the axial load)
- prolonged work in a forced position
- vibration
- hypodynamia
- autoimmune diseases
- vertebral overload associated with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (deformities, flat feet)
- infectious and inflammatory processes in nearby structures
- Metabolic disorders
- hereditary abnormalities in connective tissue development
- traumatic injuries
- excessive static or dynamic loads
- Hormonal imbalance
Cause an exacerbation of osteochondrosis in men and women can be stress, prolonged nervous tension, malnutrition, hypothermia.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine
Degenerative processes in the affected intervertebral discs are accompanied by local pain syndromes and referred pain. Due to a violation of the blood supply to the brain, patients complain of headache, dizziness, "flies" before the eyes, pain in the shoulder or the entire upper limb, in the intercostal region andinterscapular. There is discomfort, tingling in the neck, chest, abdomen, periodic painful pulsation in the ear or temple, pain when coughing and sneezing.
After a long stay in a forced position, a feeling of crushing appears. Often, cervicothoracic osteochondrosis occurs with typical cardiac symptoms, which greatly complicates the diagnosis. Of the additional signs, it is worth highlighting the numbness of certain areas of the skin, disruption of the digestive tract, increased pain during deep breaths, shortness of breath when lying down.
Stages of osteochondrosis
The pathological process has 4 stages of development:
I - swelling and movement of the pulpy substance inside the disc, irritation of peripheral nerve endings. Cervical and thoracic lumbago occurs against the background of physical activity
II - cracking of the fibrous ring, violation of attachment between the vertebral bodies, instability of the vertebral segments. Accompanied by constant muscle tension, functional blockages, limitation of mobility
III - rupture of the disc membrane and protrusion of the pulpy nucleus (hernia). Neurological root compression syndromes are manifested by reflex prolapse, weakness, atrophy, sensory disturbance in the innervation zone. II - cracking of the fibrous ring, impaired attachment between the vertebral bodies, instability of the vertebral segments. Accompanied by constant muscle tension, functional blockages, limitation of mobility
IV - degenerative lesion of all components of the intervertebral symphysis. Due to mineralization and compaction of the disc, osteoarthritis of the facet joints develops and mobility in the affected area is significantly limited.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis of vertebrogenic pathology is carried out in a complex including:
- collection of vital and pathological anamnesis
- physical examination in static position
- diagnostic tests (study of active and passive movement disorders)
- determination of neurological status
- Standard x-ray in two projections of the spine
- CT
- MRI
In a professional clinic, when diagnosing various dorsopathies, magnetic resonance imaging is performed in combination with manual tests. The combined use of these methods provides comprehensive information about the localization of areas of discogenic disorders, the structure and metabolic activity of cells, the state of all soft tissue components.
Which doctor to contact
A neurologist takes care of patients with vertebrogenic disorders. Also, you may need the help of a chiropractor, a spine surgeon.
How to treat cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
Treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine includes:
- medications for pain, swelling, and inflammation
- manual therapy
- massage and self-massage;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (UVI, electrophoresis, laser, magnetic therapy, DDT)
- reflexology
- physiotherapy exercises
- to corset, to glue
- post-isometric relaxation
If osteochondrosis is complicated by intervertebral hernia, surgical intervention is recommended for the patient.
Effects
Indifferent attitude to one's health and neglect of medical recommendations can lead to the active progression of the pathological process and the development of various reflex and compression syndromes:
- Chronic cervico-cranialgia and thoracalgia (headache emanating from the cervico-occipital region, pain in the thoracic region)
- limit the tilt of the head in the opposite direction to the lesion
- vegetative disorders of the upper limbs
- sensation problems in the hands and fingers
- dysfunction of internal organs
- partial immobilization of the spine
- disability
Prevention of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
To minimize the impact of negative factors, it is recommended to regularly perform exercises aimed at strengthening the muscle frame. It is very important during long monotonous work to monitor posture, change the position of the body more often, avoid large-amplitude movements and protect against hypothermia and drafts.