Osteochondrosis is called damage to the bones and cartilages of different parts of the spine. In this article, we will consider the features 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 development of damage to the degenerative-dystrophic nature of the tissue structures of the spine, as a result of which they, as well as the intervertebral discs and cartilage tissue, are gradually destroyed. There are other osteochondrosis, for example, cervical or lumbar. Compared to them, manifestations of thoracic pathology are rarer, because the spine in this part has less mobility and is additionally strengthened due to the ribs. But in some cases, the disease even ends with disability, which happens as a result of the formation of intervertebral hernias. In this case, the only effective treatment will be surgery. Most often, the disease affects people over 35-40 years old.
Due to the characteristics 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 the development of pathology is a sedentary lifestyle, so the back muscle skeleton is weaker. The main causes of the disease are:
- Back loading, which can occur both due to lifting heavy objects and wearing heels, as well as special physiological conditions such as pregnancy or congenital foot defects - 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
- severe stress
Thoracic osteochondrosis ends with a strong thinning of the intervertebral discs, the formation of intervertebral tears, the formation of protrusions from the connective tissue, and the erosion of the cartilaginous structures that form the vertebral joints.
The consequences of pathology often carry additional symptoms, for example, compression of spinal canals or blood vessels occurs. As well as various other manifestations that require additional complex treatment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
With the chest 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 bending the body.
Often there is a feeling of aching dull pain localized between the shoulder blades, which is accompanied by a feeling of compression of the sternum. In the case of displacement of the lower ribs, they talk about the posterior costal syndrome, in which the pain manifests itself in the lower chest and scapula area. In addition, pain often occurs if you try to feel the lower back, where there is a pathology.
Such painful manifestations usually belong to one of two types:
- Severe, penetrating and sharp pain in the interscapular region, as well as in the ribs. It is called dorsago and is characterized by increased turns and changes in body position. Usually, this kind of pain is characteristic during exacerbation, symptomatic treatment is required for its elimination.
- Dorsalgia is called a gradually appearing pain syndrome lasting 7-20 days. In this case, the nature of the pain is dull and soft, the place of manifestation is in the spine at the level of the chest. An increase in intensity is noted when taking a deep breath or bending over. In addition, shortness of breath can be felt, as well as 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 manifestations. For example, in a situation where nerve endings passing through a vertebra are strongly compressed, there will be a loss of sensitivity that can affect tendon reflexes. In addition, with osteochondrosis of the breast, compression of the nerve endings responsible for the liver, heart, kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal organs often occurs, as a result of which there is a possibility of a certain loss of functionality of these organs and systems. the appearance of signs of corresponding heaviness, compression, pain.
Among the additional manifestations of the disease, there are often problems with normal breathing, localized pain sensations:
- On the left side of the chest and heart
- Under the ribs on the right or left side, which can cause suspicion 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 with creams, ointments, patches
- Muscle relaxation during severe spasms
- vitamins
- Antidepressants
To stop the progression 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, there is no serious evidence of the effectiveness of such funds, at the same time, their course lasts for 6 months and can be quite expensive. Based on this, taking these drugs should be agreed with the doctor, but it is better to get 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 commonly used:
- Shock wave, laser and magnetic therapy, as well as ultraviolet and electrophoresis
- Complexes of physiotherapy exercises. Osteochondrosis is very effectively treated with the help of gymnastic exercises. Usually, the whole 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. Both treatment and prevention of the disease are carried out with the help of gymnastics, a certain complex is selected by the attending physician. It should be remembered that you can start the exercises only after the pain symptoms stop, and if there is any pain during the procedure, its intensity should be reduced.
- Massages that help stretch the spine, strengthen material metabolism in the vertebrae and the elements surrounding them.
- Special diets to compensate for the lack of substances necessary for the regeneration of cartilage tissue structures.
What to do with exacerbation?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is a chronic disease, therefore, it is characterized by periods of deterioration. This usually happens after serious physical exertion in the gym or at work, severe stress, accumulated fatigue. In this case, there may be additional symptoms:
- Headache bordering on migraine
- Nausea and vomiting
- dizziness
- strong weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Limited movement
Severe pain in the spine associated with dorsago, with exacerbation, can hardly stop on its own. In addition, the independent choice of a strong pain reliever is fraught with serious side effects, additional complications and treatment. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help in such a period, if it is not possible to consult a neurologist yourself, then you should call an ambulance. Pain symptoms are well removed in a hospital, with the simultaneous use of intramuscular injection of analgesics and local anesthesia.
If osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is in an acute stage, the following treatment guidelines should be followed:
- It is necessary to stay in bed, relaxing the spine as much as possible
- Medicines to be taken should be taken only as prescribed by the doctor.
- You can go to physiotherapy only with the permission of the doctor.
- Diet should be adjusted
In the case of a herniated disc, additional drug treatment is prescribed, and a corset is also worn. If the hernia is large, the only effective method of treatment will be an operation determined individually based on the results of the diagnosis.
Prevention
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is often seen in certain professions, therefore, on the one hand, those who are engaged in heavy work related to lifting weights, and on the other hand, those who are very inactive in the work process, should be careful. their posture periodically strengthens the back muscles and provides beneficial motor activity to the vertebrae. Thus, the prevention of osteochondrosis involves physical exercise several times a day. Do not massage excessively and independently.
In addition, it is important to change the diet to exclude products whose components cause degenerative processes and increased wear of cartilage and bones. The diet should minimize the amount of salty, sweet, spicy, spicy, and fried foods. Food should be natural, without preservatives and dyes. The priority is vegetables, fruits, cereals, lean meat and fish, dairy products. Adults should drink at least two liters of fluid per day to speed up salt metabolism. It is better to give up alcohol and coffee. In addition, it is important to avoid 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. In this case, by "healthy" we mean the position of the body. To minimize discomfort during sleep, it is better to use an individually selected pillow and orthopedic mattress.
Implementation of these measures will help prevent the onset of symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis and avoid long-term treatment.