Osteochondrosis - dystrophic and degenerative changes in cartilage and bone tissue. Osteochondrosis of the spine can occur in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. The progression of the disease leads to the destruction of ligaments, joint structure, and intervertebral discs.
Spinal osteochondrosis in the thoracic region is not common. This is due to the peculiarities of its structure. Its mobility is inferior to that of the cervical and lumbar regions. Part of the load is supported by the ribs and sternum. The danger of pathology in the difficulty of its diagnosis. The symptoms are similar to other diseases, it is detected late, which makes the treatment process difficult.
the causes of the disease
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis is associated with metabolic disturbances and increased load on the intervertebral discs. Within the intervertebral disc is the nucleus pulposus, which is surrounded by the annulus fibrosus. If it is damaged, drying out and loss of the bean's amortizing qualities occurs. As a result of degenerative processes, inflammation and pinching of nerve fibers in the spinal cord occur.
The causes of osteochondrosis can be:
- heredity;
- intervertebral hernia;
- the presence of osteophytes;
- insufficient blood supply to the spinal cord due to vascular clamping;
- violation of mineral metabolism (in particular, calcium deficiency);
- curvature of the spine, which creates an uneven load on the discs;
- trauma to the chest region due to a fall, hematoma, impact;
- strength sports, regular weight lifting;
- passive lifestyle.
Symptoms and sensations with thoracic osteochondrosis
Several factors affect the clinical picture of the pathology:
- the level of damage to the spine;
- the patient's age;
- stage of the pathological process (exacerbation or remission).
The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest are characterized by variety and nonspecificity, so that the disease is often confused with other pathologies.
The main signs of breast osteochondrosis:
- Dorsago - A sudden sharp pain in the chest and back ("lumbago in the chest"), the patient feels short of breath.
- Back pain is a mild pain in the affected vertebrae that develops gradually over several weeks. The pain may increase with deep breathing, bending sideways and forward, as well as with prolonged standing in a static position.
The feeling of severe pain in the waist and breathing problems are associated with intercostal neuralgia, in which the nerve roots are compressed. Pain intensity usually increases in the afternoon and decreases after a night's sleep.
Among the neurological symptoms are:
- violation of the sensitivity of members;
- heart muscle numbness;
- pulmonary syndrome;
- tingling, burning, numbness of the skin;
- spasms and muscle spasms;
- sensation of the presence of a foreign object in the pharynx when osteochondrosis is located in the upper thoracic segment.
Intercostal neuralgia is a concomitant symptom of degenerative-inflammatory pathologies of the spine (osteochondrosis, displacement of vertebrae, scoliosis). But its appearance resembles signs of various diseases of Organs peritoneal organs and the thoracic region.
Observation!Often, the pain occurs in the upper parts of the thoracic region, gradually covering it completely, as well as in the region of the shoulder blades (reminiscent of angina pectoris). Pain in the right hypochondrium occurs with osteochondrosis of the middle thoracic region. They can be diagnosed as pancreatitis or cholecystitis. Pain in the gastrointestinal tract occurs with lesions in the lower segment of the thoracic spine, mimicking bowel disease.
Stages of disease development
The degree of development of the disease is associated with pathological disorders of the spine, which are characterized by certain clinical symptoms.
There are 4 periods of disease development:
- 1st degree- the appearance of fissures within the annulus fibrosus, after which the fluid from the nucleus pulposus enters it. A pain syndrome appears, located only in the affected area. There may be pain in the heart muscle area, muscle cramps.
- 2nd degree- abnormal mobility appears between the vertebrae, subluxations are noticeable in the thoracic region. With prolonged static posture or during movement, discomfort and increased pain are felt.
- 3rd grade- rupture of the fibrous ring, beyond the nucleus pulposus. Intervertebral hernia formation occurs. This causes severe pain in the waist, difficulty in walking, and other symptoms.
- 4 degrees- pathological processes extend beyond the spine. In degenerative dystrophic changes, the paravertebral ligaments are involved and fibrosis develops.
Diagnosis
Radiography is highly informative. The presence of pathology is indicated by:
- uneven edges of the disc;
- broadening and sharpening of the uncinate processes;
- decreased height of discs, deformation of their shape;
- the presence of osteophytes.
Sometimes an X-ray contrast study is performed. The contrast agent fills the destroyed disc, which makes it possible to determine the degree of negligence of the pathological process. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are not considered less informative.
effective treatments
How to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region? The therapy approach must be comprehensive. It is necessary to take into account the stage of development of the disease, the degree of destructive processes, the general condition of the patient.
drug therapy
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, several groups of drugs are used.
- NSAIDs and muscle relaxants;
- Glucocorticosteroids. Its therapeutic effect is more pronounced than that of NSAIDs, but the risk of side effects is greater.
- Chondroprotectors. Chondroprotective agents are believed to contribute to the regulation of damaged cartilage tissue. But its effectiveness has not been conclusively confirmed.
- Diuretics are used for a short period of time to relieve swelling of strangulated nerve fibers during an exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Popular Remedies and Recipes
It is most often used during the period of disease remission and only as an additional method of treatment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home with traditional medicine:
- Pour 30-40 g of chopped celery root with 1 liter of boiling water. Insist on 8 hours. Drink 1 dessert spoon three times a day.
- Melt 150 g of lard with steam. Add 2 tablespoons of wax. Heat for 15 minutes. Add 1 scoop of ammonia. Scrub problem areas twice a day. Store in a cool place.
Massage and therapeutic exercises
One of the most effective therapeutic measures for osteochondrosis is massage. It helps to eliminate muscle spasm, improve blood supply to the problem area, and normalize the functional state of the spine. With the exacerbation of the disease, vibratory massage is recommended. After the clinical manifestations subside, you can take a course in classical massage.
Massage is not recommended for grade 3 thoracic osteochondrosis when there is an intervertebral hernia. This can aggravate the patient's condition.
The aim of physiotherapy and gymnastics for osteochondrosis is to improve the mobility of the intervertebral joints, in order to strengthen the muscular body. Exercise therapy allows you to relieve muscle spasms, remove stiffness in the spine. Classes must be taught daily under the supervision of an experienced instructor. Your plan is made individually for each patient.
energy resources
The basic principles of proper nutrition in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- a lot of protein in the diet;
- exclusion of greasy and fried foods;
- food must be boiled or roasted.
Salt should be excluded from the diet or significantly limited. Avoid carbonated and caffeinated beverages. It is better to replace them with herbal teas, natural juices. To increase the synthesis of cartilage tissue, it is useful to introduce jellies, jellies, which contain chondroitin, into the diet. To get enough calcium for bone health, you need to eat dairy products. Compliance with proper nutrition prevents the progression of the pathological process.
prevention measures
To prevent the development and exacerbation of destructive processes in the thoracic spine, it is recommended to take preventive measures as soon as possible and to follow them regularly.
Recommendations:
- do special back exercises every day;
- give up on addictions;
- eat well and balanced;
- normalize weight;
- with sedentary work 10 minutes every hour you need to warm up;
- swimming, water aerobics;
Thoracic osteochondrosis is not very common compared to cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis. But it is no less dangerous in its consequences for the body. It is very difficult to detect it in the early stages due to the similarity of symptoms to other pathologies. Therefore, it is important to monitor the health of the spine at all times to take all measures to prevent pathological destruction.