The most common cause of pain in the upper and middle back is cervicothoracic osteochondrosis. And although this slowly progressing pathology is not fatal, it significantly worsens a person’s quality of life and in some cases can cause disability. And only the maximum possible elimination of factors leading to uneven pressure in the spinal movement segments can slow down the irreversible biological aging processes and thus alleviate the condition.
Causes of degenerative spinal lesions
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is a multifactorial pathology of the intervertebral discs connecting 7 cervical 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)
- extended work in a forced position
- vibration
- hypodynamics
- autoimmune diseases
- Spinal 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
To provoke a worsening of osteochondrosis in men and women can be stress, prolonged nervous strain, malnutrition, hypothermia.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and thorax
Degenerative processes in the affected intervertebral discs are associated with local pain syndromes and referred pain. Due to the disruption of blood supply to the brain, patients complain of headaches, dizziness, "flies" in front of the eyes, pain in the shoulder or all over the upper limb, in the intercostal and intercostal region. There is discomfort, tingling in the neck, chest, abdomen, periodic painful throbbing in the ear or temple, pain when coughing and sneezing.
After a long stay in a forced position, a feeling of tightness appears. Often, cervicothoracic osteochondrosis presents with typical cardiac symptoms, which greatly complicates the diagnosis. Additional signs include numbness of certain areas of the skin, disruption of the digestive tract, increased pain with deep breathing, shortness of breath in the supine position.
Stages of osteochondrosis
The pathological process has 4 stages of development:
I - swelling and movement of the pulp substance inside the disc, irritation of the peripheral nerve endings. The middle of the cervix and chest occur against the background of physical activity
II - cracking of the fibrous ring, violation of fixation between the vertebral bodies, instability of the vertebral segments. Accompanied by constant muscle tension, functional blockade, limited mobility
III - rupture of the disc membrane and elongation of the pulposus nucleus (hernia). Neurological syndromes of root compression are manifested by reflex prolapse, weakness, atrophy, sensory disturbance in innervation zone II - fibrous ring rupture, impaired fixation between vertebral bodies, instability of vertebral segments. Accompanied by constant muscle tension, functional blockade, limited mobility
IV - degenerative lesions of all components of the intervertebral symphysis. Due to mineralization and compression of the disc, osteoarthritis of the site joints develops and mobility in the affected area is significantly limited.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of vertebrogenic pathology is made in a complex, including:
- collection of vital and pathological anamnesis
- physical examination in a static position
- diagnostic tests (study of active and passive movement disorders)
- determination of neurological condition
- Plain radiograph with two projections of the spine
- c T
- MRI
In a professional clinic, during the diagnosis of various dorsopathies, magnetic resonance imaging is performed in combination with manual testing. The combined use of these methods provides complete 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 manages patients with vertebrogenic disorders. Furthermore, you may need the help of a chiropractor, a spinal surgeon.
How to treat cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and thorax includes:
- medicines for pain, swelling and inflammation
- manual therapy
- massage and self-massage;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (UVI, electrophoresis, laser, magnetotherapy, DDT)
- reflexology
- physiotherapy exercises
- corsetim, taping
- post-isometric relaxation
If osteochondrosis is complicated by an intervertebral hernia, surgery is recommended to the patient.
effects
An indifferent attitude towards 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 cervicocranialgia and thoracalgia (headache originating from the cervical-occipital region, pain in the chest region)
- limiting the tilt of the head in the opposite direction to the lesion
- vegetative disorders of the upper extremities
- sensitivity problems in the hands and fingers
- dysfunction of internal organs
- partial immobilization of the spine
- inability
Prevention of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
To minimize the impact of negative factors, it is recommended to perform regular exercises aimed at strengthening the muscular frame. It is very important during monotonous long-term work to monitor posture, change body position more often, avoid large-amplitude movements, and protect yourself from hypothermia and currents.