Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in bone tissue and cartilage in one or more of its segments. The development of thoracic osteochondrosis is much less frequent 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 chance 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.
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 connective tissue is also involved in the process. Somewhat less often, 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, cartilage and bone begin to break down. At the same time, there is premature aging of the musculoskeletal system.
In the context of this disease, diseases such 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.
Symptoms of the disease
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine has a number of specific features, 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 exertion, for example, when lifting weights.
- the appearance of difficulty in inhalation and exhalation, accompanied by a feeling of compression in the middle part of the back.
- constant pain in the shoulder blades.
- numbness of certain parts of the body.
- periodically there is 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:
- peeling skin;
- thinning and brittle nails;
- abdominal pain, flatulence;
- stool disorders, in which bouts of diarrhea can be replaced by constipation.
- nausea, heartburn;
- intercostal neuralgia symptoms;
- 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 intense paroxysmal pain of an acute 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 that occur in the intervertebral discs. The causes of this disease can be:
- hereditary predisposition?
- hernia, disc deformities;
- osteophyte formation.
- cartilage destruction;
- insufficient blood supply to the spinal canal, which has developed as a result of the tightening of conducting vessels and arteries.
- degeneration of bone, cartilage and muscle tissue caused by improperly distributed load on the spine.
- metabolic disorders caused by calcium deficiency in the body.
The 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 cord injury;
- scoliosis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in power sports professionals.
Diagnostics
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires mandatory diagnosis and differentiation from 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, misdiagnosis can be avoided. The assessment of the patient's condition is carried out based on the history, while taking into account all the symptoms of the disease and the patient's complaints.
To confirm the diagnosis, clarify the location of the affected areas, identify benign neoplasms and cancerous tumors, progressive organic 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 therapeutic regimen for thoracic osteochondrosis is developed individually. Chondrosia refers to those diseases that can cause disruption of internal organs, so it must be treated.
In this case, a comprehensive approach is required. Medical treatment is mandatory.
Conservative therapy
Patients are prescribed painkillers and drugs with an anti-inflammatory spectrum of action. With the help of these drugs, by relieving pain and reducing inflammation, the mobility of the vertebrae in the thoracic region is ensured. Acute manifestations are quickly stopped by injection.
At the same time, to improve the condition of bones and cartilage, chondroprotectants, 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 paraspinal blocks, with the help of which it is possible to reduce pain. Injectable solutions contain corticosteroids and antiseptics.
It is impossible to cure thoracic osteochondrosis with drugs alone. We are talking about measures such as lifestyle correction, proper nutrition, massage, exercise therapy and other methods. It is very likely that the recovery process will be accelerated if the treatment regimen includes physical therapy procedures: 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 vertebral 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 functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
The daily menu should include foods with a high content of calcium and phosphorus. This list includes cottage cheese, hard cheeses, 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 pressure on certain elements of the skeletal system and eliminating muscle spasms in the cervical region of the chest.
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 starting classes, in order to warm up the muscles, it is recommended to warm up: slowly and alternately, swing the legs and arms and turn the trunk, pelvis and head in different directions. If body movement causes pain, it should be made smoother 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. Put your hands behind your back, fold your palms in the 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. Place hands on shoulders: left to left shoulder, right to right. Shrug your shoulders in turn, pointing your head in the direction of the movement. Perform 10 times.
- Lie on your stomach, stretch your arms forward. Raise the body. Perform 5 times in a row. Then put your hands along the body and also lift the body.
- Sit in a chair, holding a gymnastic stick in front of you. Take a deep breath while straightening the body. On exhalation, the arms with the projectile kneel, the trunk leans forward. Run multiple times.
- Standing on the floor, put your hands with a gymnastic stick on your shoulders. Twist the body to the right and then to the left side 10 times.
- Sit in a chair, lean back against the back. Bend strongly, using the chest area. Perform at least 10 moves.
This exercise can be done at home. But before that, it is highly recommended to get permission from an expert.
Traditional medicine methods
Folk remedies will help to deal more quickly with the manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis.Medicines based on active natural ingredients are successfully used as adjunctive therapy. Some effective recipes:
- Rubbing 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 large. mix (with a slide), pour half a glass of boiling water and leave on low heat for 5 minutes. Cool, add 75 g butter and 75 g sunflower oil. Let it cook for another 15 minutes. Rub the problem areas and then immediately dress or wrap.
- Appliances. For their preparation, you can use fresh horseradish juice, steamed bitter wormwood or flax seeds.
- Painkiller. It is prepared as follows: 2 large tbsp. 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.
- Grinding of hops. For cooking, take equal parts: 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.