Osteochondrosis is called damage to the bones and cartilage of various parts of the spine. In this article we will consider the characteristics of this defect, in a situation where it manifests itself in the thoracic region, its main symptoms and treatment.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is the progression of damage to the degenerative-dystrophic nature of the tissue structures of the vertebrae, due to which they, as well as the intervertebral discs and cartilage tissue, are gradually destroyed. There are also other osteochondroses, for example, cervical or lumbar. Compared to them, the manifestations of chest pathology 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 also ends in disability, this happens due to 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 pronounced symptoms and is less likely to occur due to external influences. The main risk of developing a pathology is a sedentary lifestyle, which is why the muscular skeleton of the back is much weaker. The main causes of the disease are:
- Back strain, which can occur both as a result of lifting heavy objects and using heels, and as a result of special physiological conditions, such as pregnancy or birth defects of the foot - flat feet.
- Inactivity, sedentary work, insufficient physical activity
- Scoliosis and other types of curvature of the spine in the thoracic region
- Back injury
- Having bad posture
- hereditary factors
- strong stress
Thoracic osteochondrosis ends with a sharp thinning of the intervertebral discs, the formation of intervertebral hernias, the formation of growths from the connective tissue and wear of the cartilage 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 arteries occurs. As well as various other manifestations that require additional complex treatment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
With the thoracic manifestation of the disease, the onset of symptoms often occurs when the spine is loaded, as well as due to sudden movements, when turning or tilting the body.
Most often, there is a feeling of dull aching pain, which is localized between the shoulder blades, is accompanied by the feeling that the sternum is squeezed. In the presence of a displacement of the lower ribs, it is referred to as a posterior rib syndrome, in which pain occurs in the lower chest and shoulder blade area. Also, pain often occurs if you try to feel the spine, where there is a pathology.
Such painful manifestations are usually attributed to one of two types:
- Intense, piercing and sharp pain in the interscapular area and ribs. It is called Dorsago and is characterized by increased turns and changes in body position. Usually, such pain is characteristic during exacerbations; symptomatic treatment is required for its relief.
- Back pain is called pain syndrome which appears gradually 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. You notice an increase in intensity if you take a deep breath or bend over. Also, you may feel shortness of breath and spasms in the muscles around the affected area. The onset of a symptom 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 the nerve endings passing through the vertebrae are strongly compressed, a loss of sensation will occur, 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 a loss of function of these organs and systems is likely with the appearance of the corresponding symptoms of heaviness, a sense of oppression, pain.
Among the additional manifestations of the disease, there are often problems with normal breathing, localized pain sensations:
- In the chest and on the left side of the heart
- Under the ribs on the right or left, which can raise suspicions of cholecystitis and other diseases
- In 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 more pronounced. For this purpose, the doctor prescribes the following drugs:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
- Analgesics
- Local anesthetics, which are creams, ointments, patches
- Relaxing muscles during severe spasms
- vitamins
- Antidepressants
To stop the progress of the disease, various physiotherapy procedures are used, as well as dietary adjustments and vitamin intake. Some doctors supplement the treatment with drugs called chondroprotectors. They are credited with the properties of restoring destroyed 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, the intake of these drugs must be agreed with the doctor, but it is better to seek 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:
- Shockwaves, laser and magnetotherapy, as well as ultraviolet and electrophoresis
- Physiotherapy exercise complexes. Osteochondrosis is treated very effectively with the help of gymnastic exercises. Usually, the whole series of exercises is repeated several times a day, which helps to strengthen the muscles of the back and thoracic region 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 exercises only after the pain symptoms have disappeared, and if pain occurs during the procedure, its intensity should be reduced.
- Massages that help lengthen the spine, intensify the material metabolism in the vertebrae and their surrounding elements
- Special diets to compensate for the lack of substances necessary for the restoration of cartilage tissue structures.
What to do with an exacerbation?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is a chronic disease, so it is characterized by periods in which it worsens. This usually happens after intense physical exertion in the gym or at work, severe stress, accumulated fatigue. At this point, additional symptoms are likely:
- Headache bordering on migraine
- Nausea and vomit
- dizziness
- strong weakness
- Difficult breathing
- Limited movement
Severe pain in the spine, related to dorsago, with an exacerbation, can hardly be stopped on its own. In addition, the independent choice of a strong pain reliever is fraught with serious side effects, further complications and treatment. Therefore, it is important to seek medical assistance during such a period, if it is not possible to visit a neurologist on your own, you should call an ambulance. Pain symptoms are well removed in the hospital, by 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 rules of treatment should be observed:
- You have to stay in bed, unloading the spine as much as possible
- Medicines to be taken should only be taken as prescribed by your doctor.
- You can go to physiotherapy only with the permission of the doctor.
- The diet needs to be modified
In the presence of a herniated disc, additional drug therapy is prescribed, as well as wearing a corset. If the hernia is large, the only effective method of therapy will be to perform an operation, which is prescribed individually based on the results of the diagnosis.
Prevention
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine often appears in people of certain professions, so everyone who, on the one hand, is engaged in heavy work associated with weight lifting, on the other hand, is very inactive during the labor process, should pay pay attention to posture, they periodically strengthen the back muscles and give the vertebrae a useful motor activity. Therefore, the prevention of osteochondrosis involves performing physical training several times a day. Do not be a superfluous and independent massage.
In addition, it is important to modify the diet to exclude products whose components lead to degenerative processes and increased wear of cartilage and bones. The diet should minimize the amount of salty, sweet, spice, spicy, fried. Food should be chosen natural, in which there are no preservatives and dyes. The priority is vegetables, fruits, cereals, lean meat and fish, dairy products. To speed up the metabolism of salt, adults should drink at least two liters of fluids per 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 healthy sleep. By "healthy" in this case we mean the position in which the body is located. To minimize discomfort during sleep, it is best to use an individually selected orthopedic pillow and mattress.
Implementation of these measures will help to avoid the onset of symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis and avoid long-term treatment.