Osteochondrosis is a dystrophichesko-degenerative disease of cartilage tissue of intervertebral joints and causes their destruction.Localization of osteochondrosis in the vertebrae of the thoracic spine is called thoracic osteochondrosis.Compared with osteochondrosis of other localization - cervical or lumbar - thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed less often, which is related to the anatomical features of the chest structure.This is a relatively static structure, where the mobility of the spine is relatively low - accordingly, even if there is an active pathological process in the intervertebral discs, the probability of their damage is minimal.In the recent past, when diagnostic possibilities were limited, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered only the competence of elderly patients.Now it is detected not only at a young age, but even in childhood.
Why does thoracic osteochondrosis develop?
Among the causes of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following should be highlighted:
- pathologies of vertebrae and intervertebral discs - both hereditary and acquired due to various factors;
- violation of blood supply to the spinal column;
- excessive or irrational physical stress on the spine (during sports or due to heavy physical work);
- violation of mineral metabolism in the body, lack of certain trace elements;
- sedentary lifestyle, sedentary professional activity;
- weakness of the back muscles, resulting in incorrect posture and irrational distribution of the load on the spine;
- injuries.
In addition, there are a number of factors that can lead to exacerbation of the disease in its chronic course:
- trauma;
- stress, excessive nervous tension;
- hypothermia of the body - both general and local hypothermia of the back muscles;
- physical fatigue.
Why is thoracic osteochondrosis dangerous?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease accompanied by significant pathological changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral joints.Accordingly, the first result of such a disease is the destruction of the structures that make up the spinal column.The result of this can be scoliosis, pathologies of the respiratory system (pneumonia, pneumosclerosis), blood circulation disorders of internal organs, diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract (pancreatitis, cholecystitis).The negative consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis can also be transferred to the genitourinary system.The persistent pain syndrome characteristic of osteochondrosis reduces the quality of life and can "masquerade" as other diseases, which leads to incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
How does thoracic osteochondrosis manifest itself?
Symptoms with thoracic osteochondrosis are quite characteristic:
- pain - occurs when a person is in one position for a long time, as well as during movements, weight lifting, physical activity.It is characterized by dull, constant pain in the area of the shoulder blades, as well as pain when trying to raise your arms;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- feeling of tightness in the chest, as a result of which it becomes difficult to take a deep breath;
- decreased sensitivity certain areas of the skin;
- paresthesia - feeling of "creeping goosebumps" on the skin, burning, tingling;
- decrease in temperature certain areas on the skin;
- decrease in temperature foot skin, itching sensation, burning sensation in them;
- digestive disorders.
There are two main types of pain syndrome accompanied by osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: dorsalgia (long-term pain in the affected intervertebral cartilage area) and dorsago (intense paroxysmal pain accompanied by muscle spasms and breathing difficulties).
It is called the characteristic word for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine gastric syndrome - epigastric pain not related to food, day or time of year.
Degrees of thoracic osteochondrosis
In clinical practice, depending on the degree of cartilage damage and involvement of surrounding structures in the pathological process, 4 degrees of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are distinguished.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the 1st degree of the spine: the discs between the vertebrae lose their elasticity, become slightly thinner, and local protrusions - protrusions - can be seen in the fibrous rings of the discs.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree: The thinning of the intervertebral discs progresses and the thoracic spine loses stability.At this stage, pain begins to bother you, it is often accompanied by neurological symptoms: paresthesia, numbness of the skin.Cracks can be seen in the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine, 3rd degree corresponds to the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 4 degrees characterized by the complete loss of shock absorption properties between the vertebral disc.Vertebral convergence becomes critical and bone tissue begins to deteriorate.Vessels and nerves in the spinal canal are compressed, which causes persistent neurological symptoms, severe pain syndrome and impaired blood circulation.
Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of "thoracic osteochondrosis" is made based on the patient's questioning, examination and examination: X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging.X-ray examination helps to determine the localization of spinal lesions, and magnetic resonance imaging helps to clarify the diagnosis and exclude the presence of benign and malignant neoplasms.
A number of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are non-specific - the same symptoms can indicate other diseases.This explains the frequent errors in diagnosis when a patient, for example, is treated for a long time for pancreatitis due to pain, the real cause is thoracic osteochondrosis.Therefore, comprehensive diagnostics and the involvement of related specialists - gastroenterologists, pulmonologists - are very important for additional examination of the patient.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: treatment
Given that it is impossible to restore the destroyed cartilage tissue, effective treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is possible only in the initial stages of the disease, while the cartilage has not yet lost its structure.Therefore, it is especially important to consult a doctor in time - when the first manifestations of pathology appear, discomfort in the back, minor pain, numbness or burning of the skin.
In the first stages of the disease, treatment includes non-narcotic analgesics to relieve pain and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process in tissues and also relieve pain.However, in the treatment of the initial stage of osteochondrosis of the chest, the main focus is on the use of chondroprotectors.This is the name of a group of drugs designed to restore normal metabolism in cartilage tissue, thereby improving the trophism of cartilage tissue and slowing down its destruction.
As the pathological process progresses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually insufficient to eliminate inflammation, which forces the doctor to add therapy with gluco-corticosteroid drugs.In addition, diuretics can be added to the list of medications to relieve swelling in the roots of compressed spinal nerves and thereby relieve the corresponding neurological symptoms and pain.The inclusion of antispasmodic drugs in the therapy allows to eliminate muscle spasm accompanied by osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
With the development of intervertebral hernia and the destruction of the bone tissue of the vertebra, conservative treatment loses its effectiveness;the only reasonable alternative is surgical treatment of osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy for thoracic osteochondrosis
Physiotherapy outside the periods of exacerbation gives good results.Effective methods for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region include:
- laser therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- traction - both dry and wet;
- vacuum therapy;
- acupuncture;
- pharmacopuncture.
In addition, popular and effective physiotherapeutic methods for thoracic osteochondrosis include massage and manual therapy.Patients with thoracic osteochondrosis should undergo preventive massage courses at least twice a year.At the same time, any manipulation should be as gentle as possible, it should be carried out only outside periods of exacerbation in order not to aggravate the pathological process.
Therapeutic exercise for thoracic osteochondrosis
An important component of the complex treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is physical therapy (physical therapy). The purpose of the exercises is to restore the mobility of the intervertebral joints, eliminate muscle spasm, and eliminate stiffness in the spine.Exercise therapy makes it possible to strengthen the muscle corset, as well as to increase the physical mobility of the patient as a whole, which is an important factor for stimulating blood circulation and restoring pulmonary ventilation.
Before performing a set of special exercises, you should do a light general warm-up aimed at warming up the muscles or take a hot shower.A good warm-up before exercise helps prevent injury.All movements should be smooth;sharp bends and turns that can aggravate spinal injuries should be avoided.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a chronic disease that significantly reduces the patient's quality of life and is dangerous due to its complications.Timely consultation with a doctor and competent comprehensive treatment starting from the first signs of the disease will help stop the pathological process and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.