Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in bone and cartilaginous 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 likelihood 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 makes early diagnosis difficult. However, over time, the disease progresses.
Gradually, the ligament apparatus is also involved in the process. A little less often, complications develop, manifested in the form of atrophy of muscle tissue and accompanied by decreased 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 observed.
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.
disease symptoms
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine has a number of specific features, including:
- chest pain that occurs when the body is often and too long in one position;
- pain syndrome with increased physical exertion, for example, when lifting weights;
- the occurrence of difficulty in breathing in and out, accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the mid-back;
- constant pain in the shoulder blades;
- numbness of certain parts of the body;
- prolonged feeling of cold that occurs periodically, 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 show several characteristic signs:
- skin peeling;
- thin and brittle nails;
- abdominal pain, flatulence;
- stool disorders, in which bouts 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 (dorsag).
The first is characterized by prolonged pain in areas of injury to the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. The second is an 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;
- formation of osteophytes;
- cartilage destruction;
- insufficient blood supply to the spinal canal, which has developed as a result of pinching of the 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.
The factors that act as a cause of pathological changes are:
- lifting heavy objects;
- sedentary work;
- long stay in one position;
- irregular load on the column;
- spinal injury;
- scoliosis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in professionals involved in strength sports.
Diagnosis
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;
- 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, 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 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 individually developed. Chondrosis refers to diseases that can cause internal organs to rupture, 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 medications, by relieving pain and reducing inflammation, mobility of the vertebrae in the thoracic 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.
Removal of muscle spasms is provided by muscle relaxants.
To accelerate the effect, therapeutic ointments and creams for external use can be used.
Patients are submitted to paravertebral blocks, with which it is possible to reduce pain. Injectable solutions contain corticosteroids and antiseptics.
It is impossible to cure thoracic osteochondrosis with medication alone. We are talking about measures like 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 for surgery. Sometimes surgery is the only option. The 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 nutrition must 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 greens will also be helpful.
exercise therapy
The physiotherapy exercise complex 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 cervicothoracic region.
To perform the exercises, you will need a gymnastic pole and a mat. Clothing should be as comfortable as possible and not restrict movement.
Before starting classes, to warm up the muscles, it is recommended to do a warm-up: slowly and alternately, they are performed by swinging the legs and arms and rotating the trunk, pelvis and head in different directions. If body movement 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 need to open 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 the lock. Lean over, trying to lift your arms. Hold for three seconds. Run at least 5 times.
- Position: standing on the floor, feet shoulder-width apart. Place your hands on your shoulders: from left to left shoulder, from right to right. Raise your shoulders in turn, directing your head in the direction of the movement. Run 10 times.
- Lie on your stomach, stretch your arms forward. Raise the body. Run 5 times in a row. Then place your hands along your body and also lift your body.
- Sit in a chair, holding a gymnastic pole in front of you. Take a deep breath as you straighten your body. On exhalation, the hands with the projectile kneel, the trunk leans forward. Run multiple times.
- Standing on the floor, place your hands with a gym pole over your shoulders. Rotate your body to the right and then to the left 10 times.
- Sit in a chair, lean back against your back. Bend strongly, using the thoracic region. Make 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 with the manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis more quickly. Medicines based on active natural ingredients are successfully used as an adjuvant therapy. Some effective recipes:
- Scrubbing for external use. It is prepared as follows: in equal parts you need to take dandelion root, peppermint leaves, birch buds, coriander. Chop the ingredients and mix. Then 3 tbsp. I. mix (with a blade), pour half a glass of boiling water and put on a slow fire for 5 minutes. Let it cool, add 75 g of butter and 75 g of sunflower oil. Put to cook for another 15 minutes. Scrub problem areas, then dress or wrap immediately.
- Gadgets. For its preparation, you can use fresh horseradish juice, bitter wormwood from steamed herbs or flaxseeds.
- Analgesic. Prepared like this: 2 tbsp. I. 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.
- Rub the hops. To cook in equal parts are taken: hop cones, ground into powder and melted lard. The ingredients are mixed. Used as a friction to relieve muscle tension.
All these medicines are prepared at home, but you can use them to treat the condition only after consulting a specialist.