Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is called the development of damage to the degenerative-dystrophic nature of the vertebral tissue structure, because of which, as well as intervertebral discs and cartilage tissue, is gradually destroyed. There are also other osteochondrosis, for example, cervical or lumbar. Compared to them, the manifestations of thoracic pathology are rarer, because the spine in this part has less mobility and is also tied because of the ribs. However, in some cases, this disease even ends in disability, this happens due to the formation of intervertebral hernia. The only effective treatment in this case is surgery. Most often, this disease affects people over the age of 35-40.
Due to the uniqueness of the placement, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has less obvious symptoms and is less likely to occur due to external influences. The main risk for developing pathology is a sedentary lifestyle, which greatly weakens the back muscle skeleton. The main causes of this disease are:
- Back load, which can occur both due to lifting heavy objects and wearing heels, and due to special physiological conditions, for example, pregnancy, or congenital foot deformities - flat feet;
- immobility, sedentary work, insufficient physical activity;
- Scoliosisand other types of spinal curvature in the thoracic region;
- back injury;
- The presence of incorrect posture;
- Hereditary factors;
- Strong pressure.
Thoracic osteochondrosis ends with a strong thinning of the intervertebral disc, the formation of intervertebral hernia, the formation of products from the connective tissue, and the wear of the cartilage structures that make up the vertebral joints.
Pathological consequences often bring additional symptoms, when, for example, compression of the spinal canal or blood artery occurs. As well as various other manifestations that require additional complex treatment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
With the chest manifestation of this disease, the onset of symptoms often occurs when the spinal column is loaded, and is also caused bysudden movement– when turning or tilting the body.
Often, there is a dull pain, which is localized between the shoulder blades, accompanied by a feeling that the sternum is being squeezed. With the displacement of the lower ribs, they talk about posterior costa syndrome, where pain appears in the lower part of the chest and scapular area. In addition, painful sensations often occur if you try to feel the spine where there is pathology.
Such painful manifestations are usually associated with one of two types:
- Severe, penetrating and sharp pain in the interscapular zone, as well as in the ribs. It is known asDorsagoand is characterized by increased turns and changes in body position. Usually, such pain is characteristic during an exacerbation; Symptomatic treatment is needed to relieve it.
- Dorsalgiais called a pain syndrome that appears gradually and lasts 7-20 days. The nature of the pain in this case is dull and mild, the place of manifestation is in the spine at chest level. An increase in intensity is observed 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 onset of symptoms is usually provoked 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 tightly squeezednerve endingsthrough the vertebrae, there will be a loss of sensation, which can 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, as a result of which some loss of function of these organs and systems is likely with the appearance of similar symptoms of heaviness, congestion, ill
Among the additional manifestations of the disease, there are often problems with normal breathing, local pain sensations:
- In the chest and on the left side in the area of the heart;
- Under the ribs on the right or left side, which may raise suspicion 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 which symptoms are most pronounced. For this purpose, the doctor prescribes the following drugs:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Analgesics;
- Local anesthetics, i. e. creams, ointments, patches;
- Relaxed muscles with severe spasms;
- vitamins;
- Antidepressant.
To stop the progression of the disease, various physiotherapy 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 bone. However, the effectiveness of such funds does not have serious evidence, at the same time, their course lasts from 6 months and can be quite expensive. Based on this, the intake of these drugs must be agreed with the doctor, but it is better to get advice from several experts.
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 waves, laser and magnetic therapy, as well as ultraviolet and electrophoresis.
- Physiotherapy training complex. Osteochondrosis is treated very effectively with the help of gymnastic exercises. Usually, the entire set of exercises is repeated several times a day, which helps to strengthen the muscles of the back and the thoracic region, and restore the mobility of the vertebrae. With the help of gymnastics, both treatment and prevention of diseases are carried out, a special complex is selected by the attending physician. Keep in mind that you can start training only after the pain symptoms stop, and if pain occurs during the procedure, its intensity should be reduced.
- Massage that helps stretch the spine, intensifies the metabolism of materials in the vertebrae and surrounding elements.
- A special diet to compensate for the lack of substances necessary for the restoration of cartilage tissue structure.
What to do with the aggravation?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is a chronic disease, so it is characterized by periods when it worsens. This usually happens after doing serious physical exercise in the gym or at work, severe stress, accumulated fatigue. At this point, additional symptoms may be:
- Headache bordering on migraine;
- Dizziness and vomiting;
- dizziness;
- severe weakness;
- Hard to breath;
- Restriction of movement.
Severe pain in the spine, associated with dorsago, with aggravation, can hardly be stopped by itself. In addition, the independent choice of strong painkillers is fraught with serious side effects, additional complications and treatment. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help in such a period, if it is not possible to visit a neurologist yourself, then you need to call an ambulance. Painful symptoms are well removed in the hospital, with intramuscular injections of analgesics and the simultaneous use of local anesthesia.
If osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is in an acute stage, then the following treatment rules should be followed:
- It is necessary to stay in bed, unloading the spinal column as much as possible;
- Medicines for admission should be taken only as prescribed by the doctor;
- You can go to physiotherapy only with the permission of the doctor;
- Diet needs to be adjusted.
In the presence of a herniated disc, additional drug therapy is prescribed, as well as wearing a corset. If the hernia is large, then the only effective method of therapy is to perform an operation, which is determined individually based on the results of the diagnosis.
Prevention
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine often appears in people from certain professions, therefore, everyone who, on the one hand, is involved in heavy work related to lifting weights, on the other hand, is very inactive during the work process, should be careful. to their posture, periodically strengthening their back muscles and providing useful motor activity to the vertebrae. Therefore, the prevention of osteochondrosis involves doing physical exercises several times a day. Do not massage excessively and liberally.
In addition, it is important to changedietto exclude products whose components lead to degenerative processes and increased wear of cartilage and bones. The diet should minimize the amount of salty, sweet, spicy, spicy, fried. Food should be chosen natural, where there are no preservatives and dyes. The priority is vegetables, fruits, grains, lean meat and fish, dairy products. To speed up salt metabolism, adults need to drink at least two liters of fluid every day. It is better to refuse alcohol and coffee. In addition, it is important to avoid the appearance of excessive body weight, which increases the load on the vertebrae.
Another factor that helps prevent osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is healthy sleep. By "healthy" in this case, we mean the position in which the body is. To minimize discomfort during sleep, it is better to use individually selected onesorthopedic pillows and mattresses.
The implementation of these measures will help to avoid the onset of symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis and avoid long-term treatment.