Osteochondrosis is a disease characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in bone and cartilage tissue in one or more departments of the spine. The development of thoracic osteochondrosis is less common than similar manifestations in the cervical and lumbar regions. This is due to the features 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 possibility 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 intervertebral discs, vertebrae and their degenerative changes. In the first stage of the disease, the manifestations are mild, which is an obstacle for early diagnosis. But over time, the disease progresses.
Gradually, the ligamentous apparatus also takes part in the process. A little less often, complications develop, manifested in the form of atrophy of muscle tissue, accompanied by a decrease in 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 noted.
Against the background of this disease, for example, diseases:
- prostatitis;
- pneumosclerosis;
- atrophy of the organs of the reproductive system, often leading 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 features, including:
- chest pain that occurs when the body is in one position often and for a long time;
- pain syndrome with increased physical exertion, for example, when lifting weights;
- difficulty in inhalation and exhalation, accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the middle of the back;
- constant aching pain in the shoulder blades;
- numbness of certain parts of the body;
- a long-term feeling of cold that occurs periodically, accompanied by a cold;
- decrease in body temperature in the legs;
- itching and burning in the lower extremities.
Patients with impaired functions of the vascular system of the thoracic spine have a number of characteristic symptoms:
- peeling of the skin;
- thinning and brittle nails;
- abdominal pain, bloating;
- fecal disorders in which diarrhea attacks can be replaced by constipation;
- nausea, heartburn;
- symptoms of intercostal neuralgia;
- decreased sexual activity.
There are two types of pain syndrome with thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Dorsalgia (dorsalgia).
- Dorsago (dorsag).
First, it is characterized by long-term pain in the areas of damage to the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. The second is intense 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 characterized by pain in the epigastric region, or rather, its exacerbation.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is associated with pathological changes in the intervertebral discs. The causes of this disease may be:
- hereditary tendency;
- hernia, disc deformations;
- formation of osteophytes;
- destruction of cartilage;
- sufficient blood supply to the spinal canal developed as a result of compression of conducting vessels and arteries;
- degeneration of bones, cartilage and muscle tissue caused by improperly distributed load on the spine;
- metabolic disorders caused by lack of calcium in the body.
Factors acting as the cause of pathological changes:
- lifting heavy objects;
- sedentary work;
- staying in one position for a long time;
- uneven load on the spine;
- spinal cord injury;
- scoliosis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in strength sports professionals.
Diagnostics
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires mandatory diagnosis and differentiation from other diseases with similar symptoms. As a result of a comprehensive examination, the following are excluded:
- angina;
- myocardial infarction;
- lung inflammation;
- pathology with stomach symptoms.
In this way, wrong diagnosis can be avoided. Assessment of the patient's condition is carried out based on the anamnesis, taking into account all the symptoms of the disease and the patient's complaints.
Advanced instrumental methods are used to confirm the diagnosis, clarify the location of affected areas, identify benign neoplasms and cancerous tumors:
- radiography;
- CT;
- MRI.
Blood and urine tests are prescribed to determine the degree of the inflammatory process in osteochondrosis.
Treatment
The treatment regimen for thoracic osteochondrosis is prepared individually. Chondrosis refers to diseases that can cause damage to internal organs, so it must be treated.
In this case, an integrated approach is needed. Medical therapy is mandatory.
Conservative treatment
Patients are prescribed painkillers and drugs with a spectrum of anti-inflammatory effects. With the help of these drugs, the mobility of the vertebrae in the chest area is ensured by relieving pain and reducing inflammation. Acute manifestations are quickly stopped by injection.
In parallel, chondroprotectors, mineral and vitamin complexes are prescribed to improve the condition of bones and cartilage.
Relief of muscle spasms is provided by muscle relaxants.
To accelerate the effect, therapeutic ointments and creams for external use can be used.
Patients are subjected to paravertebral blocks, with their help it is possible to reduce pain. Solutions for injection contain corticosteroids and antiseptics.
Thoracic osteochondrosis cannot be treated with drugs 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: magnet, laser, vacuum therapy, traction method, etc.
If drug treatment is ineffective, patients may be prescribed surgical intervention. Sometimes surgery is the only option. Absolute indications for surgery are spinal instability, canal stenosis, or spinal hernia.
Organization of proper nutrition
With osteochondrosis, a salt-free diet is provided. In addition, it is necessary to exclude spicy, fatty, fried foods, smoked meats, alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee; limit the use of sugar, spices and mayonnaise.
Otherwise, the diet should be as balanced as possible and contain all the vitamins and minerals aimed at improving the work of the musculoskeletal system.
Foods rich in calcium and phosphorus should be in the daily menu. This list includes cottage cheese, hard cheeses, milk, low-fat sea fish and meat. Vegetables, fruits and any greens will also be useful.
exercise therapy
The complex of physiotherapy exercises includes 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 cervicothoracic region.
To perform the exercises, you need a gymnastic bar and a mat. Clothing should be as comfortable as possible and should not restrict movement.
Before starting classes, it is recommended to warm up to warm up the muscles: slowly and alternately swing the legs and arms and turn the trunk, pelvis and head in different directions. If the movement of the body causes pain, it should be done more smoothly or stopped.
Examples of exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Starting position: lying on your stomach, hands behind your head. First, you should spread your elbows as wide as possible, then raise your shoulders and body. Hold this position for three seconds. Do the exercise 5 times in a row.
- Starting position: similar. Put your hands behind your back, fold your palms into a lock. Bending, trying to raise your arms up. Hold for three seconds. Do it at least 5 times.
- Position: standing on the floor, feet shoulder width apart. Place hands on shoulders: left to left shoulder, right to right. Raise your shoulders in turn, turn your head in the direction of movement. Do it 10 times.
- Lie on your stomach, stretch your arms forward. Raise the body. Do 5 times in a row. Then put your hands along the body and lift the body.
- Sit in a chair, hold a gymnastic stick in front of you. Breathe deeply while straightening the body. During exhalation, the hands with the projectile kneel, the trunk bends forward. Do it several times.
- Stand on the floor, put your hands on your shoulders with a gymnastic bar. Turn the body to the right and then to the left 10 times.
- Sit in a chair, lean back. Bend strongly, using the thoracic region. Do at least 10 moves.
This exercise can be done at home. However, it is highly recommended to get permission from a professional before that.
Traditional medicine methods
Folk remedies will help to fight the manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis faster. Medicines based on active natural substances are successfully used as adjuvant therapy. A few effective recipes:
- Rub for external use. It is prepared as follows: you need to take dandelion root, mint leaves, birch buds, coriander in equal parts. Chop the ingredients and mix. Then 3 tbsp. l. stir (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. Leave to cook for another 15 minutes. Rub the problem areas, then immediately dress or wrap.
- Gadgets. For their preparation, you can use fresh horseradish juice, steamed bitter wormwood or flax seeds.
- Painkiller. It is prepared in this way: 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, filter. Take 125 ml 3 times a day after meals.
- Hop rub. For cooking, it is taken in equal parts: hop cones, 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 after consulting a specialist.