Bone tumors are the main cause of back pain. The thoracic spine is less affected than other parts, it is less mobile at first. Due to the absence of characteristic symptoms, degenerative diseases are more difficult to diagnose. Untimely treatment leads to serious consequences.
Degree and symptoms of osteonecrosis
Bone and cartilage dystrophy are the most common chronic diseases in humans. The pathological process begins at the nucleus of the disc, then spreads to the fibrous annular. Atrophic cartilage loses its cushioning properties, and the load on the bone increases. The gap between the vertebrae is reduced, convexity, hernia, and nerve compression appear.
Symptoms of the disease:
- back pain (pain in the back), aggravated by body movements, palpation, sighing and coughing;
- discomfort in the sternum on the left side, shortness of breath, feeling of a lump in the throat;
- excessive sweating;
- partial numbness of the skin and limbs;
- painful sensations during the xiphoid, extending to the shoulder blades and arms;
- back - acute pain in the chest when in one position for a long time.
Stimulation of spinal receptors in the thoracic region is represented by pulses simulating heart disease. This pseudocoronary pain is called anterior chest wall syndrome. Pain in the left side of the body lasts for weeks, taking heart medication does not improve. At the same time, the electrocardiogram did not show violations in the work of the organ.
Symptoms of the disease are often similar to those of other diseases. Patient complaints may indicate heart failure or gastrointestinal problems. Only a thorough examination will help establish the correct diagnosis.
The clinical picture of the disease varies depending on the compressive or non-compressive forms of osteonecrosis. When nerve endings are compressed (compressed), pain, numbness, muscle weakness, and difficulty in movement occur. The non-compressive form is manifested by a syndrome of acute or chronic pain in the area of the damaged spine, as well as reflex pain in the heart, stomach, liver. Clinical signs of the disease vary depending on the stage of the disease and the age of the patient.
Nonspecific symptoms of osteosarcoma include tenderness in the mammary glands in women, brittle nails, and peeling skin. The disease begins during pregnancy. At this time, the female body is stressed on the spine and lacks nutrients.
In men, compression of nerve roots in the lower thoracic region leads to discomfort in the groin area, pain in the kidney area.
Degree of bone necrosis
Depending on the condition of the cartilage tissue, 4 degrees of the disease are distinguished:
- 1 degree - in the early stages of the disease, cracks appear in the fibrous arcuate. The nucleus pulposus protrudes through them. There are unpleasant sensations in the breastbone area, heart. This stage is characterized by pulling pains and muscle spasms.
- 2 degrees - the situation is aggravated by pathological mobility of the vertebrae. The hallmark of this stage is pain that increases with movement and in one position for long periods of time. Spondylolisthesis is possible.
- Grade 3 - the structure of the spine is severely damaged, the capsule is completely broken. The defeat of nerve endings leads to intercostal neuralgia. A person's mobility is limited, he has a forced posture. The pain radiates to internal organs, abdomen, extremities.
- 4 degrees - structures around the spine are involved in the pathological process. The overgrowth of scar tissue leads to fibrosis of the ligaments. Severe neurological reactions require frequent use of supportive drugs.
Early diagnosis of the disease can slow the destruction of the discs. In the early stages, treatment is more effective. When back pain persists and other symptoms of osteonecrosis are present, you should consult a neurologist.
Delaying going to the hospital for examination will lead to dangerous complications. These include herniated discs, inflammation of nerve endings, proliferation of bone cells, and paralysis. With the development of bone formation, there is a great risk of damage to the tissues of the spinal canal. Dystrophic processes are initiated with complete destruction of the vertebrae. Patients can only be helped by surgery.
Causes and risk factors
The movable cervical and lumbar spines are most commonly affected by the disease. The thoracic region is reinforced with ribs, which reduces the risk of pathology, but does not exclude its occurrence. The disease can occur at any age. Its ICD 10 code is M42. 14 - osteonecrosis of the spine in adults localized in the thoracic region. For minor patients, there is a separate code - M42. 0. Poor posture, scoliosis or curvature of the spine are predisposing factors for the onset of the disease in young people.
The main cause of the disease
Degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc occur with inadequate nutrition. The nucleus pulposus loses its ability to evenly distribute the load, and cracks appear in the annular fibers. Doctors believe that the common cause of pathology is a genetic predisposition to osteonecrosis. Other factors include:
- sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work;
- spinal cord injury;
- infectious diseases;
- increased physical activity;
- Hormonal disorder;
- weak cardigan.
The exact cause of the onset of degenerative changes could not be established. The disease can be recognized through objective signs and symptoms. People who sit a lot, have posture problems and spinal injuries need special attention to their manifestations.
Stimulating factor
The natural tendency towards cartilage dystrophy may not appear until middle age, when the body's natural aging process begins. But there are factors that can stimulate the degeneration process more quickly. Including:
- chronic stress;
- Hypothermia;
- unbalanced diet;
- difficult working conditions;
- overweight.
With prolonged compression and inflammation of the nerve roots will cause disturbances in the work of internal organs. Osteonecrosis is characterized by a rippling process, periods of acute or dull pain are replaced by remission.
Diagnostic method
To establish a diagnosis, you will need to collect the patient's history, conduct a physical exam. A preliminary conclusion is reached during the initial examination. The patient's spine is examined in different positions. Pathological confirmation and information about the condition of the spine are provided by diagnostic tools. Professionals use:
- X-ray. Imaging of the thoracic region shows the extent of the disease. Direct and lateral radiographs help identify changes in disc height, the presence of osteoblasts, compaction of the terminal fragments of the vertebral body, narrowing of the diameter of the spinal canal, and formation of vertebral bodies. Schmorl button.
- Computed tomography is performed to detect and measure bone structures.
If necessary, magnetic resonance imaging is prescribed.
Treatment and prevention
Elimination of pain, inflammation and other problems is possible only with complex treatment. The choice of technique depends on the patient's condition. In the early stages, conservative treatment is carried out; In severe cases, surgical intervention will be required.
Medicine
A course of drugs is prescribed to eliminate the pain and prevent further destruction of the structures of the disc. The basis of therapy is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments.
To treat 3 degrees of osteonecrosis, hormonal drugs are used - corticosteroids. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. In acute pain syndrome, anesthetic injection is indicated. Muscle spasms and tension are relieved by muscle relaxants. To restore cartilage tissue, experts recommend using chondroprotectors.
The cure of radiculitis is facilitated by the addition of special vitamin complexes containing vitamins of group B. Useful elements are well absorbed from food - eggs, herbs, beef and cheese. Patients are advised to rest and recuperate. He must observe bed rest for the first few days.
Physical therapy
The impact of the device has a pronounced therapeutic effect. Patients with osteonecrosis are prescribed:
- shock wave therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- ultrasonic exposure;
- acupuncture therapy;
- laser therapy.
Physical therapy helps to increase blood flow and relax muscles. During electrophoresis, the drug penetrates deeper into the body's tissues.
Folk remedies
You can not only treat it with drugs, but you can also rely on the support of folk remedies. At home, various herbs and foods can be used for healing. Decoctions, ointments, rubs are prepared from them. Means allow to reduce inflammation, accelerate the regeneration process. A warm bath with sea salt and chamomile will help relieve pain. Effective recipes:
- Juniper and avocado ointment - beat juniper with butter until smooth. The product is stored in the refrigerator.
- Ointment from pork and insects - dry cones are ground into a powder and mixed with fat. Ointment is applied 2-3 times a day.
- Compressed honey - for the composition you need 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of vodka, 1 tablespoon of aloe juice. The products are mixed and applied to the affected area.
- Mustard compresses - vodka, camphor and mustard powder are mixed in equal proportions. Add 3 proteins and incubate for 12 hours. The product has an irritating effect, so it is used with caution.
Before using formulations, doctors recommend checking them for allergic reactions.
Massage
One of the complex parts of the treatment of thoracic spondylolisthesis is massage. This treatment helps relieve pain, increase blood circulation and stimulate muscles. Applicant can replace massage, acupuncture at home. These are special mats with plastic needles.
Physical therapy
When the exacerbation is over, it is advisable to switch to light physical activity. These include walking, swimming, yoga, and gymnastics. Doing some special exercises is the easiest way to fight illness and forget back problems forever. During the workout, the focus is on stretching and strengthening the muscles of the chest. There is a special technique that improves the health of the spine. Exercises are selected according to the individual characteristics of the patient.
Recommendations for prevention
Doctors advise, to prevent disease, regularly perform exercises to strengthen the back and chest muscles. In addition to exercise, you should adhere to the following rules:
- Take breaks when doing sedentary work. Change positions frequently so that the load is distributed to different muscle groups.
- Choose a comfortable orthopedic mattress so that the spine can rest well.
- Use a chair with a high back that supports the spine.
- Balance your diet.
- Refuse to lift and carry weights.
Timely examination of the doctor allows you to identify osteonecrosis at an early stage. This offers a favorable prognosis for recovery.