Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is called the progression of damage to the degenerative-dystrophic nature of the tissues of the vertebrae, due to which they, as well as the intervertebral discs and cartilage tissue, are gradually destroyed. There are also other osteochondrosis, for example, cervical or lumbar. Compared to them, the manifestations of the pathology of the chest are rarer, since the spine in this part has less mobility and is additionally fixed due to the ribs. However, in some cases, the disease ends even with disability, this happens as a result of the formation of intervertebral hernias. The only effective treatment in this case will be surgery. Most often, the disease affects people over the age of 35-40.
Due to the peculiarities of placement, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has less severe symptoms and is less likely to occur due to external influences. The main risk of developing pathology is a sedentary lifestyle, which greatly weakens the muscular skeleton of the back. The main causes of the disease are:
- Back overload, which can occur both due to lifting heavy objects and wearing heels, and due to special physiological conditions, for example, pregnancy or congenital anomalies of the feet - flat feet.
- immobility, sedentary work, insufficient physical activity.
- Scoliosisand other types of curvature of the spine in the thoracic region.
- back injury;
- The presence of incorrect posture.
- Heredity factors?
- Strong stress.
Thoracic osteochondrosis ends with severe thinning of the intervertebral discs, formation of intervertebral hernias, formation of processes from the connective tissue and wear of the cartilaginous structures that form the vertebral joints.
The consequences of the pathology often bring additional symptoms, when, for example, compression of the spinal canals or blood vessels occurs. As well as various other manifestations that require additional complex treatment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
With the manifestation of the disease in the chest, the onset of symptoms often occurs when the spine is loaded and also due tosudden movements– when turning or tilting the body.
Most often, there is a feeling of dull aching pain, which is located between the shoulder blades, accompanied by a feeling that the sternum is being compressed. In the presence of displacement of the lower ribs, they talk about posterior lateral rib syndrome, in which the pain manifests itself in the lower part of the chest and in the shoulder blade area. In addition, painful sensations often appear if you try to feel the spine where there is pathology.
Such painful manifestations are usually attributed to one of two types:
- Intense, penetrating and sharp pain in the interscapular region, as well as in the sides. It is calledDorsagoand is characterized by increased turns and changes in body position. Usually, such pain is characteristic during exacerbations; symptomatic treatment is required for its relief.
- Dorsalgiacalled gradually occurring pain syndrome lasting 7-20 days. The nature of the pain in this case is dull and mild, the place of manifestation is in the spine at the level of the chest. An increase in intensity is noted if you take a deep breath or bend over. In addition, shortness of breath may be felt, as well as muscle spasms around the affected area. The appearance of a symptom is usually caused during a long stay in one position, for example, after a night's sleep.
Additional pathological conditions accompanying thoracic osteochondrosis will depend on the depth of their manifestation. For example, in a situation where they are strongly compressednerve endingspassing through the vertebrae, there will be loss of sensation, which may affect tendon reflexes. In addition, with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, pinching of the nerve endings responsible for the liver, heart, kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal organs often occurs, resulting in some loss of functionality of these organs and systems and the appearance of corresponding symptomsheaviness, tightness, pain.
Among the additional manifestations of the disease, there are often problems with normal breathing, localized pain sensations:
- On the chest and on the left in the region of the heart.
- Under the ribs on the right or left, which may raise suspicions of cholecystitis and other diseases.
- In the cavity of the throat, esophagus, stomach and intestines.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptomatic treatment is prescribed, in other words, it depends on the symptoms that are most pronounced. For this purpose, the doctor prescribes the following drugs:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Painkillers?
- Local anesthetics, which are creams, ointments, patches.
- Relaxing muscles with severe spasms.
- vitamins;
- Antidepressants.
To stop the progression of the disease, various physical therapy procedures are used, as well as dietary adjustments and vitamin intake. Some doctors supplement the treatment with drugs calledchondroprotectors. They are credited with the properties of restoring damaged cartilage and bones. However, the effectiveness of such funds has no serious evidence, at the same time, their course lasts from 6 months and can be quite expensive. Based on this, taking these drugs must be agreed with the doctor, but it is better to get advice from several specialists.
As an additional treatment aimed at preventing pathology in the future, physiotherapy is used to promote the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Most often used:
- Shock wave, laser and magnetic therapy, as well as ultraviolet radiation and electrophoresis.
- Complexes of physiotherapy exercises. Osteochondrosis is treated very effectively with the help of physical exercises. Usually, the entire set of exercises is repeated several times a day, which helps to strengthen the muscles of the back and chest area and restore the mobility of the vertebrae. With the help of gymnastics, both treatment and prevention of the disease are carried out, a specific complex is selected by the attending physician. It is worth remembering that you can start the exercises only after the symptoms of pain have stopped, and if pain occurs during the procedure, its intensity should be reduced.
- Massages that help stretch the spine, intensify the metabolism of materials in the vertebrae and their surrounding elements.
- Special diets to compensate for the lack of substances necessary for the restoration of cartilaginous tissue structures.
What to do with a flare-up?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is a chronic disease, so it is characterized by periods of worsening. This usually happens after serious physical exertion in the gym or at work, intense stress, accumulated fatigue. At this point, additional symptoms are possible:
- Headache bordering on migraine.
- Nausea and vomiting?
- dizziness;
- severe weakness;
- Difficulty breathing?
- Movement restrictions.
Severe pain in the spine, associated with dorsago, with a flare-up, can hardly stop on its own. In addition, the independent choice of a strong painkiller is fraught with serious side effects, additional complications and treatment. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help during such a period, if it is not possible to visit a neurologist yourself, then you need to call an ambulance. Pain symptoms are well removed in the hospital, with intramuscular injection of analgesics and the simultaneous use of local anesthesia.
If osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is in the acute stage, then the following treatment rules should be observed:
- It is necessary to remain in bed, unloading the spine as much as possible.
- Medications for introduction should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.
- You can go to physiotherapy only with the doctor's permission.
- The diet must be adjusted.
In the presence of a herniated disc, additional drug therapy is prescribed, as well as the use of a corset. If the hernia is large, then the only effective method of treatment will be to perform an operation, which is prescribed individually based on the results of the diagnosis.
Prevention
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine often occurs in people of certain professions, therefore, everyone who, on the one hand, is engaged in heavy work related to lifting weights, on the other hand, is very inactive during the work process, should be careful about their posture, they periodically strengthen their back muscles and give useful motor activity to the vertebrae. Thus, the prevention of osteochondrosis involves performing physical training several times a day. Do not be unnecessary and independent massage.
In addition, it is important to changedietexclude products whose ingredients lead to degenerative processes and increased cartilage and bone wear. The diet should minimize the amount of salty, sweet, spicy, spicy, fried foods. Food should be selected naturally, in which there are no preservatives and dyes. Priority is given to vegetables, fruits, cereals, lean meat and fish, dairy products. To speed up salt metabolism, adults should drink at least two liters of fluids a day. It is better to refuse alcohol and coffee. In addition, it is important to prevent the appearance of excess body weight, which increases the load on the vertebrae.
Another factor that helps prevent osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is sound sleep. By "healthy" in this case, we mean the position the body is in. To minimize discomfort during sleep, it is better to use a separately selected onepillow and orthopedic mattress.
The implementation of these measures will help to avoid the appearance of symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis and to avoid long-term treatment.