Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in bones and cartilage tissue in one or more of its departments. The development of thoracic osteochondrosis is much less common than similar manifestations in the cervical and lumbar spine. This is due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the middle part of the human back, where the mobility of the vertebrae is somewhat limited. This significantly reduces the chance of injury. A few decades ago, this type of osteochondrosis was more common in older people. Today, the disease also affects young men and women. Children are no exception.
Description
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease of the skeletal system, characterized by damage to the intervertebral discs, vertebrae and their degenerative changes. In the first stage of the disease, the manifestations are mild, which is an obstacle to early diagnosis. However, over time, the disease progresses.
Gradually, the ligamentous apparatus is also involved in the process. Somewhat less often, complications develop, manifested in the form of muscle tissue atrophy and associated with decreased sensitivity and functional disorders of internal organs.
In advanced cases, with thoracic osteochondrosis, cartilage and bones begin to break down. At the same time, premature aging of the musculoskeletal system is observed.
Against the background of this disease, diseases such as:
- prostatitis;
- pneumosclerosis;
- atrophy of the organs of the reproductive system, which often leads to infertility;
- atherosclerosis;
- cancerous tumors.
According to medical statistics, thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine occurs equally in men and women.
Symptoms of the disease
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine has a number of specific characteristics, among which are:
- chest pain that occurs when the body is often and for a long time in one position;
- pain syndrome with increased physical strain, for example, when lifting weights;
- the appearance of difficulty in breathing and exhalation, accompanied by a feeling of squeezing in the middle part of the back;
- constant aching pain in the shoulder blades;
- numbness of certain parts of the body;
- periodically a prolonged feeling of cold, accompanied by chills;
- decrease in body temperature in the legs;
- itching and burning in the lower extremities.
With impaired functions of the vascular system of the thoracic spine, patients have a number of characteristic signs:
- skin peeling;
- thin and brittle nails;
- abdominal pain, bloating;
- stool disorders, in which attacks of diarrhea can be replaced by constipation;
- nausea, heartburn;
- symptoms of intercostal neuralgia;
- decreased sexual activity.
With thoracic osteochondrosis, there are two types of pain syndrome:
- Dorsalgia (dorsalgia).
- Dorsago (dorsag).
The first is characterized by prolonged pain in the areas of damage to the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. The second is severe paroxysmal pain of an acute nature, accompanied by a feeling of stiffness in the muscles and difficulty in breathing.
One of the complications accompanying osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is gastritis, or rather its irritations, characterized by pain in the epigastric region.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is due to pathological changes that occur in the intervertebral discs. The causes of this disease can be:
- hereditary predisposition;
- hernia, disc deformations;
- the formation of osteophytes;
- cartilage destruction;
- insufficient blood supply to the spinal canal, which has developed as a result of constriction of vessels and accompanying arteries;
- degeneration of bones, cartilage and muscle tissue caused by improperly distributed load on the back;
- metabolic disorders caused by the lack of calcium in the body.
The factors that act as causes of pathological changes are:
- lifting heavy objects;
- sedentary work;
- long stay in one position;
- uneven load on the back;
- spinal cord injury;
- scoliosis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in professionals involved in power sports.
Diagnosing
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires mandatory diagnosis and differentiation with other diseases that have similar symptoms. Through a comprehensive examination, the following are excluded:
- angina;
- myocardial infarction;
- pulmonary inflammation;
- pathology with gastric symptoms.
In this way, wrong diagnosis can be avoided. The assessment of the patient's condition is based on the anamnesis, taking into account all the symptoms of the disease and the patient's complaints.
To confirm the diagnosis, to clarify the location of the affected areas, to identify benign neoplasms and cancerous tumors, progressive instrumental methods are used:
- radiography;
- CT;
- MRI.
To determine the degree of the inflammatory process in osteochondrosis, blood and urine tests are prescribed.
Treatment
The treatment regimen for thoracic osteochondrosis is developed individually. Chondrosis refers to those diseases that can provoke disruption of internal organs, so it must be treated.
In this case, an integrated approach is needed. Medical therapy is mandatory.
Conservative treatment
Patients are prescribed pain relievers and drugs with an anti-inflammatory spectrum of action. With the help of these drugs, relieving pain and reducing inflammation, the mobility of the vertebrae in the chest region is ensured. Acute manifestations are quickly stopped by injection.
At the same time, to improve the condition of bones and cartilage, chondroprotectors, minerals and vitamin complexes are prescribed.
The removal of muscle spasms is provided by muscle relaxants.
To accelerate the effect, therapeutic ointments and creams for external use can be used.
Patients undergo paravertebral blocks, with the help of which it is possible to reduce pain. Injection solutions contain corticosteroids and antiseptics.
It is impossible to cure thoracic osteochondrosis with medicines alone. We are talking about measures such as lifestyle correction, proper nutrition, massage, exercise therapy and other methods. It is quite possible to speed up the recovery process if physiotherapeutic procedures are included in the treatment regimen: magnetic, laser, vacuum therapy, traction method, etc.
In case of ineffectiveness of drug treatment, patients may be prescribed surgery. Sometimes surgery is the only option. Absolute indications for surgery are spinal instability, canal stenosis or spinal hernia.
Organizing the right food
With osteochondrosis, a salt-free diet is provided. In addition, it is necessary to exclude spicy, fatty, fried foods, smoked meat, alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee; limit the use of sugar, spices and mayonnaise.
Otherwise, the food should be as balanced as possible and contain all the vitamins and minerals aimed at improving the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
The daily menu should include foods rich in calcium and phosphorus. This list includes cottage cheese, hard cheese, milk, low-fat seafood and meat. Vegetables, fruits and any greens will also be useful.
exercise therapy
The complex of physiotherapy exercises contains special exercises aimed at increasing the mobility of the problem area of the spine, removing unnecessary stress on some elements of the skeletal system and eliminating muscle spasms in the cervical region.
To perform the exercises, you will need a gymnastic stick and a mat. Clothing should be as comfortable as possible and not restrict movement.
Before the start of the classes, to warm up the muscles, it is recommended to do a warm-up: slowly and alternately, swing the legs and arms and turn the torso, pelvis and head in different directions. If body movement causes pain, it should be improved or stopped.
Examples of exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Starting position: lying on the stomach, hands behind the head. First you need to spread your elbows as wide as possible, then raise your shoulders and body. Hold this position for three seconds. Perform the exercise 5 times in a row.
- Starting position: similar. Place your hands behind your back, fold your palms into a lock. Bend over, trying to raise your arms up. Hold for three seconds. Perform at least 5 times.
- Position: standing on the floor, feet shoulder width apart. Put your hands on your shoulders: left on the left shoulder, right on the right. Raise your shoulders in turn, pointing your head in the direction of movement. Perform 10 times.
- Lie on your stomach, stretch your arms forward. Raise your body. Perform 5 times in a row. Then place your hands along the body and also lift the body.
- Sit in a chair, holding a gymnastic stick in front of you. Breathe deeply as you straighten your body. During the exhalation, the projectile hands kneel, the torso bends forward. Perform several times.
- Standing on the floor, place your hands with a gymnastic stick on your shoulders. Make the body turn to the right, then to the left side 10 times.
- Sit in a chair, lean back. Bend hard, using the chest region. Do at least 10 moves.
This exercise can be done at home. But before that, it is highly recommended to get permission from a specialist.
Traditional medicine methods
Folk remedies will help to cope with the manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis faster.Medicines based on active natural ingredients are successfully used as adjunctive therapy. Some effective recipes:
- Rub for external use. It is prepared as follows: in equal parts, you need to take dandelion root, mint leaves, birch buds, coriander. Chop the ingredients and mix. Then 3 tbsp. l. mix (with a slide), pour half a glass of boiling water and put on a slow fire for 5 minutes. Cool, add 75 g of butter and 75 g of sunflower oil. Set it to cook for another 15 minutes. Rub the problem areas, then dress or wrap immediately.
- Tools. For their preparation, you can use fresh horseradish juice, steamed bitter wormwood or flax seeds.
- Pain reliever. Prepared like this: 2 tbsp. l. chamomile color should be poured with 350 ml of boiling water and put on a slow fire for 5 minutes. Then cool, strain. Take 125 ml 3 times a day after meals.
- Hop friction. For cooking in equal parts take: hop cones, ground into powder and melted lard. The ingredients are mixed. It is used as a rub to relieve muscle tension.
All these medicines are prepared at home, but you can use them to treat the disease only after consulting a specialist.