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 occurs 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 are gradually destroyed, as well as the intervertebral discs and cartilage tissue. There are also other osteochondrosis, for example, cervical or lumbar. Compared with them, the manifestations of thoracic pathology are more rare, since the spine in this part has less mobility, and, moreover, it is supported by the ribs. However, in some cases, the disease even ends with disability - this happens as a result of the formation of intervertebral hernias. The only effective treatment in this case will be surgery. Most often, the disease affects people older than 35-40 years.
Due to the peculiarities of the location, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has less pronounced symptoms and is less likely to occur due to external influences. The main risk of developing pathology is a sedentary lifestyle, due to which the muscular skeleton of the back is much weaker. The main causes of the disease are:
- Back overload, which can occur both from lifting heavy objects and wearing high heels, as well as from special physiological conditions, such as pregnancy, or congenital 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
- have poor posture
- hereditary factors
- severe stress
Thoracic osteochondrosis ends with a sharp thinning of the intervertebral discs, the formation of intervertebral hernias, the formation of connective tissue growths and wear of the cartilaginous structures that form the vertebral joints.
The consequences of the pathology often entail 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 appearance of symptoms often occurs when the spine is loaded, as well as due to sudden movements, turning or tilting the body.
In most cases, there is a feeling of dull pain, which is localized between the shoulder blades, is accompanied by a feeling of compression of the sternum. In the presence of a displacement of the lower ribs, they speak of a posterior costal syndrome, in which pain manifests itself in the lower chest and scapula area. Also, pain often occurs if you try to feel the spine, where there is pathology.
Such painful manifestations are generally attributed to one of two types:
- Intense, penetrating and sharp pain in the interscapular area, as well as in the 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.
- Dorsalgia is called a gradual onset pain syndrome that lasts from 7 to 20 days. The nature of the pain in this case is dull and mild, the place of manifestation is the spine at chest level. An increase in intensity is noticeable if you take a deep breath or bend over. In addition, shortness of breath may be felt, as well as spasms in the muscles around the affected area. The appearance of a symptom is usually provoked during a prolonged stay in one position, for example, after a night's sleep.
Additional pathological conditions accompanying thoracic osteochondrosis will depend on the depth of its manifestation. For example, in a situation where the nerve endings passing through the vertebrae are strongly compressed, there will be a loss of sensation that can affect the tendon reflexes. Also, with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, the nerve endings responsible for the liver, heart, kidneys, lungs, and gastrointestinal organs are often pinched, as a result of which the functionality of these organs is likely to be lost and systems with the appearance of the corresponding symptoms of heaviness, tightness, 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-inflammatory drugs
- Analgesics
- Local anesthetics, which are creams, ointments, patches
- Relaxation of muscles during intense spasms
- vitamins
- antidepressants
To stop the progress of the disease, various physiotherapy procedures are used, as well as adjustments in diet and vitamin intake. Some doctors supplement the treatment with drugs called chondroprotectors. The properties of restoring destroyed cartilage and bones are attributed to them. 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 medications should 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 frequently used:
- Shock wave therapy, laser and magnetotherapy, as well as ultraviolet and electrophoresis
- Complexes of physiotherapy exercises. Osteochondrosis is very effectively treated 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 thoracic region and restore the mobility of the vertebrae. With the help of gymnastics, both treatment and prevention of the disease are carried out, the attending physician selects a specific complex. It is worth remembering that you can start the exercises only after the pain symptoms have subsided, and if any pain occurs during the procedure, its intensity should be reduced.
- Massages that help stretch 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, therefore it is characterized by periods when it worsens. This usually occurs after great physical exertion in the gym or at work, intense stress, accumulated fatigue. At this point, additional symptoms are likely:
- Headache bordering on migraine
- nausea and vomiting
- dizziness
- strong weakness
- labored breathing
- limited movement
Severe pain in the spine, related to the dorsago, with an exacerbation, can hardly stop on its own. Also, the independent choice of a strong painkiller is fraught with serious side effects, additional complications and treatment. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help during that period, if it is not possible to visit a neurologist yourself, then you should call an ambulance. Pain symptoms are well eliminated in a hospital, by intramuscular injection of analgesics and the simultaneous use of local anesthesia.
If osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is in the acute stage, the following rules of treatment should be observed:
- You need to stay in bed, unloading the spine as much as possible.
- Medications to be taken should only be taken as prescribed by the doctor.
- You can go to physical therapy only with the permission of the doctor.
- Diet needs to be adjusted
In the presence of a herniated disc, additional drug therapy is prescribed, in addition to wearing a corset. If the hernia is large, then the only effective method of therapy will be to perform an operation, which is prescribed individually depending on the results of the diagnosis.
Prevention
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine often appears in people of certain professions, so all those who, on the one hand, are engaged in heavy work associated with weightlifting, on the other hand, are very inactive during the work process , they need to be attentive to their posture, periodically strengthen the muscles of the back and give useful motor activity to the vertebrae. Thus, the prevention of osteochondrosis involves performing physical exercise several times a day. Do not be superfluous and independent massage.
In addition, it is important to change the diet to exclude products whose components cause degenerative processes and greater wear of cartilage and bones. The diet should minimize the amount of salty, sweet, spicy, spicy, fried. Food should be chosen natural, in which there are no preservatives or dyes. The priority is vegetables, fruits, cereals, lean meat and fish, dairy products. To speed up salt metabolism, adults should drink at least two liters of fluid a 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 the body is in. To minimize discomfort during sleep, it is better to use an individually selected orthopedic pillow and mattress.
The implementation of these measures will help avoid the appearance of symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis and avoid long-term treatment.