The most common cause of upper and middle back pain is cervicothoracic osteochondrosis. And although this slowly progressing condition is not fatal, it significantly worsens a person's quality of life and can cause disability in some cases. And only the maximum possible elimination of the factors that lead to uneven pressure on the spinal movement segments can slow down the irreversible processes of biological aging and thus alleviate the condition.
Causes of degenerative spinal injuries
Osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region is a multifactorial pathology of the intervertebral discs that connect 7 cervical and 12 thoracic vertebrae. The most common causes of degenerative changes are:
- gravity (shift of center of gravity and redistribution of axial load)
- prolonged work in forced position
- vibration
- hypodynamy
- Autoimmune Diseases
- spinal overload associated with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (deformity, flat feet)
- infectious and inflammatory processes in nearby structures
- metabolic disorders
- hereditary abnormalities in the development of connective tissue
- traumatic injuries
- excessive static or dynamic loads
- hormonal imbalance
Stress, prolonged nervous stress, malnutrition, hypothermia can cause an exacerbation of osteochondrosis in men and women.
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" in front of the eyes, pain in the shoulder or the entire upper limb, in the intercostal and interscapular 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 squeezing sensation appears. Often, cervicothoracic osteochondrosis occurs with typical cardiac symptoms, which greatly complicates the diagnosis. Among the additional signs, numbness of certain areas of the skin, disruption of the digestive tract, increased pain with deep breaths, shortness of breath in the supine position should be highlighted.
Stages of osteochondrosis
The pathological process has 4 stages of development:
I - swelling and movement of the pulpy substance within the disc, irritation of the peripheral nerve endings. Neck and chest low back pain 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 blocks, limitation of mobility
III - rupture of the disc membrane and protrusion of the nucleus pulposus (hernia). Neurological syndromes of root compression are manifested by reflex prolapse, weakness, atrophy, sensitivity disturbance in the innervation zone II - rupture of the fibrous ring, impaired fixation between the vertebral bodies, instability of the vertebral segments. Accompanied by constant muscle tension, functional blocks, limitation of mobility
IV - degenerative lesion of all components of the intervertebral symphysis. Due to mineralization and compaction of the disc, arthrosis 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 a static position
- diagnostic tests (study of active and passive movement disorders)
- determination of the neurological status
- Simple double-projection x-ray of the spine
- CT
- magnetic resonance
In a professional clinic, when diagnosing various back diseases, MRI is performed in conjunction with manual tests. The combined use of these methods provides comprehensive information on 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 diseases. Also, you may need the help of a chiropractor, spinal surgeon.
How to treat cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine includes:
- medications for pain, swelling, and inflammation
- manual therapy
- massage and self-massage;
- physiotherapy procedures (UVI, electrophoresis, laser, magnetotherapy, DDT)
- reflexology
- physiotherapy exercises
- corset, taping
- postisometric relaxation
If osteochondrosis is complicated by an intervertebral hernia, surgery is recommended for the patient.
Effects
An indifferent attitude to one's own health and neglect of medical recommendations can lead to active progression of the pathological process and the development of various reflex and compression syndromes:
- chronic cervicocranialgia and thoracic pain (headache from the cervical-occipital region, pain in the thoracic region)
- limiting the tilt of the head in the opposite direction to the injury
- vegetative disorders of the upper limbs
- sensitivity 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 structure. It is very important during long-term monotonous work to monitor posture, change body position more often, avoid large amplitude movements and protect yourself from hypothermia and drafts.