Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in one or more sections of bone and cartilage tissue. 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 spine is somewhat limited. This significantly reduces the likelihood of injury. A few decades ago, this type of osteochondrosis was more common in the elderly. Today, this disease also affects young men and women. Children are no exception.
Description
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease of the bone system, which is characterized by damage to the intervertebral discs, spine and their degenerative changes. At the first stage of the disease, the symptoms are mild, which is an obstacle to early diagnosis. However, the disease progresses over time.
Little by little, the ligature apparatus is included in the process. Somewhat less often, complications develop, which are manifested in the form of muscle tissue atrophy and are accompanied by a decrease in the sensitivity of internal organs and functional disorders.
In advanced cases, during thoracic osteochondrosis, cartilage and bones break down. At the same time, premature aging of the support-motor system is observed.
Against the background of this disease, such diseases as:
- prostatitis;
- pneumosclerosis;
- atrophy of the organs of the reproductive system, which often leads to infertility;
- atherosclerosis;
- cancer tumors.
According to medical statistics, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occurs equally in men and women.
Symptoms of the disease
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine has a number of specific characteristics, including:
- Pain in the chest, which occurs when the body is often and for a long time in one position;
- pain syndrome with increased physical load, for example, when lifting weights;
- Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, accompanied by a feeling of compression in the middle of the back;
- constant aching pain in the shoulder blades;
- numbness of certain parts of the body;
- Periodically prolonged feeling of cold, accompanied by chills;
- Decreased body temperature in the legs;
- Itching and burning in the lower limbs.
With a violation of the functions of the vascular system of the thoracic spine, patients have many characteristic signs:
- peeling of the skin;
- thin and brittle nails;
- Abdominal pain, flatulence;
- defecation disorder, during which attacks of diarrhea can be replaced by constipation;
- nausea, heartburn;
- Symptoms of intercostal neuralgia;
- Decreased sexual activity.
In case of thoracic osteochondrosis, there are two types of pain syndrome:
- Dorsalgia (dorsalgia).
- Dorsago (Dorsag).
The first is characterized by prolonged pain in the areas of damage to the spine and intervertebral discs. The second is a severe paroxysmal pain of an acute nature, accompanied by a feeling of muscle tension and difficulty breathing.
One of the complications accompanying osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is gastritis, or rather its exacerbation, which is characterized by pain in the epigastric region.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is due to pathological changes in the intervertebral discs. The causes of this disease can be:
- hereditary predisposition;
- hernia, disc deformations;
- formation of osteophytes;
- destruction of cartilage;
- Insufficient blood supply of the spinal canal, which developed as a result of tying of conducting blood vessels and arteries;
- Degeneration of bones, cartilage and muscle tissue caused by incorrectly distributed load on the spine;
- Metabolic disorders caused by calcium deficiency in the body.
Factors causing pathological changes are:
- lifting heavy objects;
- sedentary work;
- long stay in one position;
- uneven load on the spine;
- spine injury;
- scoliosis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in professionals who participate in power sports.
diagnosis
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires mandatory diagnosis and differentiation from other diseases that have similar symptoms. As a result of a comprehensive examination, the following are excluded:
- angina pectoris;
- myocardial infarction;
- lung inflammation;
- Pathology with stomach symptoms.
In this way, wrong diagnosis can be avoided. The patient's condition is evaluated based on the anamnesis, taking into account all the symptoms of the disease and the patient's complaints.
To confirm the diagnosis, to find out the location of damaged areas, to identify benign neoplasms and cancerous tumors, progressive instrumental methods are used:
- radiography;
- CT;
- MRI.
Blood and urine tests are prescribed to determine the degree of the inflammatory process in osteochondrosis.
treatment
The treatment regimen for thoracic osteochondrosis is developed individually. Chondrosis refers to diseases that can provoke internal organ damage, so it is necessary to treat it.
In this case, an integrated approach is needed. Medical therapy is mandatory.
conservative treatment
Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to patients. With the help of these drugs, by relieving pain and reducing inflammation, the mobility of the spine in the chest area is ensured. Acute manifestations are quickly stopped by injection.
At the same time, chondroprotectors, minerals and vitamin complexes are prescribed to improve the condition of bones and cartilage.
Removal of muscle spasms is provided by muscle relaxants.
To accelerate the effect, therapeutic ointments and creams for external use can be used.
Patients undergo paravertebral blockade, which can help reduce pain. Injection solutions contain corticosteroids and antiseptics.
Osteochondrosis of the chest cannot be cured with medicines alone. We are talking about such measures as 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. Sh.
In case of ineffectiveness of medical treatment, patients may be prescribed surgery. Sometimes surgery is the only option. The absolute indication for surgery is spinal instability, canal stenosis, or spinal hernia.
Organization of proper nutrition
During osteochondrosis, a salt-free diet is provided. In addition, it is necessary to exclude spicy, fatty, fried food, smoked meat, alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee; Limit the use of sugar, spices and mayonnaise.
Otherwise, the diet should be as balanced as possible and contain all the vitamins and minerals aimed at improving the functioning of the muscular system.
The daily menu should include foods containing calcium and phosphorus. This list includes cottage cheese, hard cheese, milk, lean sea fish and meat. Vegetables, fruits and any herbs will also be useful.
Exercise therapy
The complex of physiotherapeutic exercises includes 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 cervical region.
To perform the exercises, you will need a gymnastic stick and a mat. Clothing should be as comfortable as possible and not restrict movement.
To warm up the muscles before starting the lessons, it is recommended to do a warm-up: slowly and alternately swing the legs and arms and turn the body, pelvis and head in different directions. If the movement of the body causes pain, it should be made more smoothly or stopped.
Examples of exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Starting position: lying on the stomach, hands behind the head. First, you should spread your elbows as wide as possible, then raise your shoulders and body. Hold this position for three seconds. Perform the exercise 5 times in a row.
- Starting position: similar. Put your hands behind your back, wrap your palms in a lock. Bend over, trying to raise your arms up. Hold for three seconds. Do at least 5 times.
- Position: standing on the floor, feet shoulder width apart. Put your hands on your shoulders: left on the left shoulder, right on the right. Alternately raise your shoulders, turn your head in the direction of movement. Perform 10 times.
- Lie on your stomach, stretch your arms forward. Raise your body. Do this 5 times in a row. Then move your hands along the body and also lift the body.
- Sit on a bench, holding a gymnastic stick in front of you. Take a deep breath while straightening your body. When exhaling, the hands are bent forward, the body is bent forward. Do this several times.
- Standing on the floor, put your hands with a gymnastic stick on your shoulders. Turn the body to the right, then to the left 10 times.
- Sit on the chair, lean on the back. Using a strongly flexed chest region. Perform at least 10 movements.
This exercise can be done at home. But before that, it is recommended to get permission from a specialist.
Traditional medicine methods
Folk remedies will help to cope with the manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis faster. Medicines based on active natural ingredients are successfully used as adjuvant therapy. Some effective recipes:
- Rubbing for external use. It is prepared as follows: take equal parts of dandelion root, mint leaves, birch buds, and coriander. Chop the ingredients and mix. then 3 s. K. L. Mix (with a slide), pour half a cup of boiling water and put on low heat for 5 minutes. Cool, add 75 g of butter and 75 g of sunflower oil. Place to boil for another 15 minutes. Massage into problem areas, then immediately dress or bandage.
- Gadgets. For their preparation, you can use fresh horsetail juice, steamed bitter wormwood or flax seeds.
- pain reliever. It is prepared as follows: 2 tbsp. K. L. Chamomile color should be poured with 350 ml of boiling water and put on low heat for 5 minutes. Then cool, strain. Take 125 ml 3 times a day after meals.
- Hop rub. For preparation, take equal parts: hop cones, ground into powder and melted pork fat. The ingredients are mixed. Used to relieve muscle tension as a shin remedy.
All these medicines are prepared at home, but you can use them to treat the disease only after consulting a specialist.