Osteochondrosis - dystrophic and degenerative changes in cartilage and bone tissue. Spinal osteochondrosis can occur in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. The development of the disease leads to the destruction of ligaments, joint structures, intervertebral discs.
Osteochondrosis of the spine in the thoracic region is not uncommon. This is due to the peculiarity of its structure. Its mobility is lower than the cervical and lumbar regions. Part of the load is taken up by the ribs and sternum. Pathological danger in the difficulty of its diagnosis. The symptomatology is similar to other diseases, it is detected relatively late, which complicates the treatment process.
The cause of the disease
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis is associated with metabolic disorders and increased load on the intervertebral disc. Inside the intervertebral disc is the nucleus pulposus, which is surrounded by a fibrous annulus. If it is damaged, dryness and loss of quality of the kernel amortization occur. As a result of degenerative processes, inflammation and clamping of the spinal cord nerve fibers occur.
Causes of osteochondrosis can be:
- descent;
- intervertebral hernia;
- the presence of osteophytes;
- poor blood supply to the spinal cord due to vascular compression;
- violations of mineral metabolism (in particular, calcium deficiency);
- curvature of the spine, which creates an uneven load on the disc;
- trauma to the thoracic region due to falls, bruises, impacts;
- strength sports, regular weightlifting;
- passive lifestyle.
Symptoms and sensations with chest osteochondrosis
Several factors influence the clinical picture of pathology:
- degree of damage to the spine;
- patient age;
- ranking of pathological processes (exacerbation or remission).
The symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are characterized by multiple and nonspecific, so the disease is often confused with other pathologies.
The main signs of breast osteochondrosis:
- Dorsago - sharp and sudden pain in the chest and back ("chest lumbago"), the patient feels shortness of breath.
- Dorsalgia is a minor pain in the affected vertebra that develops gradually over several weeks. The pain can increase with deep breathing, bending sideways and forward, as well as prolonged stay in a static position.
Feelings of severe back pain and breathing problems are associated with intercostal neuralgia, in which nerve roots are compressed. The intensity of the pain usually increases in the afternoon and subsides after a night’s sleep.
Among the neurological symptoms are:
- violation of limb sensitivity;
- numbness of the heart muscle;
- pulmonary syndrome;
- tingling, burning, numbness of the skin;
- twitching and muscle cramps;
- feeling of the presence of a foreign object in the pharynx when osteochondrosis is localized in the upper thoracic segment.
Intercostal neuralgia is a symptom equivalent to degenerative-inflammatory pathology of the spine (osteochondrosis, vertebral displacement, scoliosis). But its appearance resembles the signs of various diseases of the peritoneal organs and thoracic area.
Notes!Often, the pain occurs in the upper zone of the thoracic region, gradually covering it completely, as well as in the area of the shoulder blades (remember angina pectoris). Pain in the right hypochondrium occurs with osteochondrosis of the middle thoracic region. They can be diagnosed as pancreatitis or cholecystitis. Pain in the gastrointestinal tract occurs with lesions of the lower segment of the thoracic region of the spine, mimicking intestinal disease.
Stages of disease development
The stage of disease progression is associated with pathological disorders of the spine, which are characterized by specific clinical symptoms.
There are 4 periods of disease progression:
- first degree- the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring, after which the fluid of the nucleus pulposus penetrates into it. Pain syndrome appears, localized only in the affected area. There may be pain in the heart muscle area, muscle spasms.
- 2nd degree- abnormal mobility appears between the vertebrae, significant subluxation in the thoracic region. With prolonged static posture or during movement, discomfort and increased pain are felt.
- Standard 3- rupture of the annulus fibrosus, beyond the nucleus pulposus. The formation of an intervertebral hernia occurs. This causes severe back pain, impaired movement and other symptoms.
- 4 degrees- pathological processes beyond the spinal space. In degenerative-dystrophic changes, the paravertebral ligaments are involved, fibrosis develops.
Diagnostics
Radiography is very informative. The presence of pathology is indicated by:
- the edges of the disc are not flat;
- enlargement and sharpening of the uncinate process;
- decrease in disc height, deformation of its shape;
- the presence of osteophytes.
Sometimes X-ray contrast studies are performed. The contrast agent fills the destroyed disc, which makes it possible to determine the degree of neglect of the pathological process. MRI and computed tomography are considered no less informative.
Effective treatment
How to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region? The therapeutic approach must be comprehensive. It should take into account the stage of development of the disease, the stage of the destructive process, the general condition of the patient.
Drug therapy
In the treatment of chest osteochondrosis, several groups of drugs are used.
- NSAIDs and muscle relaxants;
- Glucocorticosteroids. Their therapeutic effects are more pronounced than NSAIDs, but the risk of side effects is higher.
- Chondroprotectors. It is believed that chondroprotective agents contribute to the regulation of damaged cartilage tissue. But its effectiveness has not been conclusively confirmed.
- Diuretics are used for a short time to relieve swelling of choked nerve fibers during the exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Folk remedies and recipes
It is used more frequently during the period of remission of the disease and only as an additional method of treatment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home using traditional medicine:
- Pour 30–40 g of chopped celery root with 1 liter of boiling water. Insist 8 hours. Drink 1 dessert spoon three times a day.
- Melt 150 g of lard with steam. Add 2 tablespoons of wax to it. Warm up for 15 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of ammonia. Rub the problem area twice a day. Store in a cool place.
Massage therapy and exercise
One of the most effective therapeutic measures for osteochondrosis is massage. It helps relieve muscle cramps, increases blood supply to problem areas, and normalizes the state of spinal function. With exacerbation of the disease, a vibration sequence is recommended. After the clinical manifestations subside, you can take a classic massage course.
Massage is not recommended for grade 3 thoracic osteochondrosis, when there is an intervertebral hernia. This can worsen the patient's condition.
The goal of physical therapy and gymnastics for osteochondrosis is to increase the mobility of the intervertebral joints, to strengthen the muscular body. Exercise therapy allows you to relieve muscle spasms, relieving stiffness in the spine. Classes should be conducted daily under the supervision of an experienced instructor. Their plans are made individually for each patient.
Power features
The main principles of proper nutrition in the treatment of chest osteochondrosis:
- large amounts of protein in the diet;
- fat and fried exclusions;
- food should be boiled or roasted.
Salt should be excluded from the diet or it should be significantly limited. Avoid carbonated and caffeinated beverages. It is better to replace it with herbal teas, natural juices. To increase the synthesis of cartilage tissue, it is useful to introduce jelly, jelly, jelly, which contains chondroitin, into the diet. To get enough calcium for bone health, you need to eat dairy products. Adherence to proper nutrition prevents the development of pathological processes.
Preventive measures
To prevent the development and exacerbation of destructive processes in the thoracic spine, it is recommended to take preventive measures as early as possible and follow them regularly.
Proposal:
- do special exercises for the back every day;
- let go of addiction;
- eat properly and balanced;
- normalize weight;
- with sedentary work of 10 minutes every hour you need to do a warm -up;
- swimming, water aerobics;
Thoracic osteochondrosis is less common compared to cervical and lumbar. But it is no less dangerous in its consequences for the body. It is quite difficult to detect it at an early stage because of the similarity of symptoms with other pathologies. Therefore, it is important to monitor the health of the spine at all times, to take all measures to prevent pathological destruction.