The most common cause of upper and middle back pain is cervicothoracal osteochondrosis. And while this slowly progressing pathology is not fatal, it significantly impairs a person’s quality of life and in some cases can cause disability. And only the maximum possible elimination of the factors causing uneven pressure on the spinal movement segments slows down the irreversible processes of biological aging and thus alleviates the condition.
Causes of degenerative changes in the spine
Osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracal region is a multifactorial pathology of the intervertebral discs connecting the 7 cervical and 12 thoracic vertebrae. The most common causes of degenerative lesions are:
- gravity (center of gravity displacement and axial load redistribution)
- prolonged work in an emergency
- vibration
- hypodynamics
- autoimmune disease
- spinal overload associated with musculoskeletal pathologies (deformities, flat feet)
- infectious and inflammatory processes in nearby structures
- metabolic disorders
- hereditary disorders of connective tissue development
- traumatic injuries
- excessive static or dynamic loads
- hormonal imbalance
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis in men and women can be caused by stress, prolonged nervous strain, 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 cephalagia, dizziness, "flying" in front of the eye, pain in the shoulder or the entire upper limb, the intercostal and interscapular regions. Feeling uncomfortable, tingling in the neck, chest, abdomen, intermittent painful pulsation in the ear or temple, pain when coughing and sneezing.
After a long period of urgency, a feeling of tightness occurs. Cervicothoracal osteochondrosis is often associated with typical cardiac symptoms, making diagnosis greatly difficult. Other signs include numbness in certain areas of the skin, upset digestion, pain with increasing deep breathing, and 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 material inside the disc, irritation of the peripheral nerve endings. Cervical and thoracic lumbago occur in the background of physical activity
II - rupture of the fibrous ring, violation of the fixation between the vertebral bodies, instability of the vertebral segments. It is accompanied by constant muscle tension, functional blockages, and limited mobility
III - rupture of the membrane of the disc and protrusion of the nucleus pulposus. Root compression neurological syndromes are manifested by reflex prolapse, weakness, atrophy, sensitivity disturbance of the innervation zone II - rupture of the fibrous ring, damage to the fixation between the vertebral bodies, instability of the vertebral segments. It is accompanied by constant muscle tension, functional blockages, and limited mobility
IV - degenerative changes in all components of the intervertebral symphysis. As a result of mineralization and compaction of the disc, arthrosis of the faceted joints develops and mobility in the affected area is severely limited.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of vertebrogenic pathology is made in a complex way, including:
- collection of vital and pathological history
- physical examination in a static position
- diagnostic tests (examination of active and passive movement disorders)
- determination of neurological status
- Smooth X-ray of the spine
- CT
- MRI
In a professional clinic, magnetic resonance imaging combined with manual examination is performed to diagnose various dorsopathies. The combined use of these methods provides complete information on the localization of areas of discogenic disorders, cell structure and metabolic activity, and the status of all soft tissue components.
Which doctor to go to
A neurologist treats patients with vertebrogenic disorders. You may also need the help of a chiropractor or spine surgeon.
How to treat cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine includes:
- medicine for pain, swelling and inflammation
- manual therapy
- massage and self-massage;
- physiotherapy procedures (UVI, electrophoresis, laser, magnetotherapy, DDT)
- reflexology
- physiotherapy exercises
- lacing, gluing
- post-isometric relaxation
If osteochondrosis is complicated by an intervertebral hernia, surgery is recommended for the patient.
Effects
An indifferent attitude to health and disregard for medical recommendations can lead to the active progression of the pathological process and the development of various reflex and compression syndromes:
- chronic cervicocranalgia and thoracalgia (headache in the neck-occipital region, chest pain)
- limiting the angle of inclination of the head in the opposite direction to the lesion
- vegetative disorders of the upper extremities
- perceptual problems in the hands and fingers
- dysfunction of internal organs
- partial immobilization of the spine
- disability
Prevention of cervicothoracal osteochondrosis
To minimize the impact of negative factors, regular muscle strengthening exercises are recommended. During long-term monotonous work, it is very important to monitor your posture, change your posture more often, avoid high-amplitude movements, and protect against hypothermia and drafts.