Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in bone 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 greatly reduces the risk of injury. A few decades ago, this type of osteochondrosis was more common in older people. Today, the disease also affects younger men and women. Children are no exception.
The 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. At the first stage of the disease, the manifestations are benign, which is an obstacle to early diagnosis. However, over time, the disease progresses.
Gradually, the ligamentous apparatus is also involved in the process. Slightly less frequently, complications develop, manifested in the form of atrophy of muscle tissue and accompanied by a decrease in sensitivity and functional disorders of internal organs.
In advanced cases, with thoracic osteochondrosis, the 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, such diseases as:
- 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.
Disease symptoms
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine has a number of specific features, among which:
- pain in the chest that occurs when the body is often and for a long time in one position;
- pain syndrome with increased physical exertion, for example, when lifting weights;
- the appearance of difficulty in inhaling and exhaling, accompanied by a feeling of compression in the middle part of the back;
- constant pain in the shoulder blades;
- numbness of parts of the body;
- periodically occurring prolonged feeling of cold, accompanied by chills;
- decrease in body temperature in the legs;
- itching and burning in the lower limbs.
With impaired functions of the vascular system of the thoracic spine, patients have a number of characteristic signs:
- skin peeling;
- thin and brittle fingernails;
- abdominal pain, flatulence;
- stool disorders, in which attacks of diarrhea can be replaced by constipation;
- nausea, heartburn;
- symptoms of intercostal neuralgia;
- decrease in sexual activity.
With thoracic osteochondrosis, there are two types of pain syndrome:
- Dorsalgia (dorsalgia).
- Dorsago (dorsago).
The first is characterized by prolonged pain in the areas of damage to the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. The second is intense paroxysmal pain of a sharp nature, accompanied by a feeling of stiffness in the muscles and difficulty in breathing.
One of the complications that accompany osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is gastritis, or rather its exacerbations, characterized by pain in the epigastric region.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is due to pathological changes occurring in the intervertebral discs. The causes of this disease can be:
- hereditary predisposition;
- herniation, disc deformities;
- formation of osteophytes;
- destruction of cartilage;
- insufficient blood supply to the spinal canal, which developed as a result of squeezing of conducting vessels and arteries;
- degeneration of bones, cartilage and muscle tissue caused by poorly distributed load on the spine;
- metabolic disorders caused by calcium deficiency in the body.
Factors that act as a cause of pathological changes are:
- lifting heavy objects;
- sedentary work;
- long stay in one position;
- uneven load on the spine;
- Spinal injury;
- scoliosis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in professionals involved in power sports.
Diagnostic
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires mandatory diagnosis and differentiation with other diseases with similar symptoms. By a thorough examination, are excluded:
- angina;
- myocardial infarction;
- lung inflammation;
- pathology with gastric symptoms.
In this way, diagnostic errors can be avoided. Assessment of the patient's condition is carried out on the basis of the anamnesis, while taking into account all the symptoms of the disease and the patient's complaints.
To confirm the diagnosis, clarify the localization of the affected areas, identify benign neoplasms and cancerous tumors, progressive instrumental methods are used:
- x-ray;
- CT;
- MRI.
In order 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 diseases that can cause disruption of internal organs, so it must be treated.
In this case, an integrated approach is necessary. Medical therapy is mandatory.
Conservative treatment
Patients are prescribed painkillers and drugs with an anti-inflammatory action spectrum. 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.
In parallel, to improve the condition of bones and cartilage, chondroprotectors, minerals and vitamin complexes are prescribed.
The elimination of muscle spasms is provided by muscle relaxants.
To accelerate the effect, therapeutic ointments and creams for external use can be used.
Patients experience paravertebral blockades, with the help of which it is possible to reduce pain. Solutions for injection contain corticosteroids and antiseptics.
It is impossible to cure thoracic osteochondrosis with drugs alone. We are talking about such measures 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 therapy, 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 a good diet
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 nutrition should be as balanced as possible and contain all the vitamins and minerals intended to improve the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
The daily menu should include foods rich in calcium and phosphorus. This list includes cottage cheese, hard cheeses, milk, low-fat sea fish and meat. Vegetables, fruits and all greens will also be helpful.
exercise therapy
The complex of physiotherapy exercises contains special exercises aimed at increasing the mobility of the problem area of the spine, eliminating unnecessary stress on certain elements of the skeletal system and eliminating muscle spasms in the cervicothoracic region.
To perform the exercises you will need a gym stick and a mat. Clothing should be as comfortable as possible and not restrict movement.
Before starting classes, in order to warm up the muscles, it is recommended to do a warm-up: slowly and alternately we swing the legs and arms and turn the torso, pelvis and head in different directions. If body movement is causing pain, it should be done more gently or stopped.
Examples of exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Starting position: Lying on your stomach, hands behind your 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. Put your hands behind your back, bend your palms in the lock. Bend over while trying to raise your arms. Hold for three seconds. Perform at least 5 times.
- Position: Standing on the floor, feet shoulder-width apart. Place the hands on the shoulders: left on the left shoulder, right on the right. Raise your shoulders in turn, pointing your head in the direction of the movement. Perform 10 times.
- Lie on your stomach, stretch your arms forward. Lift the body. Perform 5 times in a row. Then place your hands along the body and also lift the body.
- Sit in a chair with a gym stick in front of you. Take a deep breath while straightening the body. On the exhale, the hands with the projectile kneel down, the torso bends forward. Perform several times.
- Standing on the floor, place your hands with a gym stick on your shoulders. Rotate the body to the right, then to the left 10 times.
- Sit on a chair, lean against the backrest. Bend hard using the chest region. Perform at least 10 moves.
This exercise can be done at home. But before that, it is strongly recommended to get permission from a specialist.
Methods of traditional medicine
Folk remedies will help to cope with the manifestations of chest osteochondrosis faster.Medicines based on active natural ingredients are successfully used as adjuvant therapy. Some effective recipes:
- Friction for external use. It is prepared as follows: in equal parts you need to take dandelion root, peppermint leaves, birch buds, cilantro. Chop the ingredients and mix. Then 3 tbsp. I. stir (with a blade), pour half a glass of boiling water and put on low heat for 5 minutes. Cool, add 75 g of butter and 75 g of sunflower oil. Return to cook for another 15 minutes. Scrub problem areas, then dress or cover up immediately.
- Gadgets. For their preparation, you can use fresh horseradish juice, bitter wormwood with steamed herbs or flax seeds.
- Analgesic. Prepared like this: 2 tbsp. I. chamomile color should be poured with 350 ml of boiling water and put on low heat for 5 minutes. Then cool, filter. Take 125 ml 3 times a day after meals.
- Rub the hops. For cooking in equal parts we take: hop cones, ground into powder and melted lard. The ingredients are mixed. Used in friction to relieve muscle tension.
All these drugs are prepared at home, but you can use them to treat the disease only after consulting a specialist.