Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in bone and cartilage tissue in one or more of its departments. 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 vertebrae is somewhat limited. This significantly reduces the likelihood of injury. A few decades ago, this type of osteochondrosis was more common in older people. Today, the disease also affects younger men and women. Children are no exception.
description
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease of the skeletal system, characterized by damage to intervertebral discs, vertebrae and their degenerative changes. In the first stage of the disease, the manifestations are mild, which prevents early diagnosis. However, over time, the disease progresses.
Gradually, the ligaments are also included in the process. A little less often there are complications that manifest themselves in the form of atrophy of muscle tissue and are accompanied by a decrease in sensitivity and dysfunction of internal organs.
In advanced cases, with thoracic osteochondrosis, cartilage and bone begin to degrade. At the same time, premature aging of the musculoskeletal system is noted.
Against the background of this disease, diseases such as:
- prostatitis;
- pneumosclerosis;
- Atrophy of the organs of the reproductive system, often leading to infertility;
- atherosclerosis;
- malignant tumors.
According to medical statistics, thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine occurs equally in men and women.
symptoms of the disease
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine has a number of distinctive features, including:
- Chest pains that appear when the body is in one position often and for a long time;
- pain syndrome with increased physical exertion, for example, when lifting weights;
- the appearance of difficulty in breathing in and out, accompanied by a feeling of squeezing in the middle part of the back;
- constant aching pain in the shoulder blades;
- numbness of certain parts of the body;
- intermittent persistent chills accompanied by chills;
- decrease in body temperature in the legs;
- Itching and burning in the lower extremities.
With impaired functions of the vascular system of the thoracic spine, patients have a number of characteristic signs:
- exfoliation of the skin;
- thinning and brittle nails;
- abdominal pain, bloating;
- Disorders of stool in which bouts of diarrhea can be replaced by constipation;
- nausea, heartburn;
- symptoms of intercostal neuralgia;
- decreased sexual activity.
With thoracic osteochondrosis, there are two types of pain syndrome:
- Dorsalgia (dorsalgia).
- Dorsago (Dorsage).
The first is characterized by persistent pain in the areas of damage to the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. The second is an intense paroxysmal pain of an acute nature, accompanied by a feeling of stiffness in the muscles and difficulty breathing.
One of the complications associated with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is gastritis, or rather, its exacerbations, which are characterized by pain in the upper abdomen.
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 deformities;
- formation of osteophytes;
- cartilage destruction;
- insufficient blood supply to the spinal canal, which has arisen due to pinching of the conducting vessels and arteries;
- Degeneration of bone, cartilage and muscle tissue caused by improperly distributed loads on the spine;
- Metabolic disorders caused by calcium deficiency in the body.
The factors that act as the cause of pathological changes are:
- lifting heavy objects;
- sedentary work;
- long stay in one position;
- uneven load on the spine;
- spinal injury;
- scoliosis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in professionals involved in weight training.
diagnosis
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires mandatory diagnosis and differentiation from other diseases with similar symptoms. A comprehensive test excludes:
- Angina;
- Heart attack;
- Lung infection;
- Pathology with gastric symptoms.
In this way, misdiagnosis can be avoided. The assessment of the patient's condition is based on the medical history, taking into account all the symptoms of the disease and the patient's complaints.
To confirm the diagnosis, clarify the location of the affected areas, identify benign neoplasms and cancerous tumors, progressive instrumental methods are used:
- radiography;
- CT;
- MRI.
To determine the degree of the inflammatory process in osteochondrosis, blood and urine tests are prescribed.
treatment
The treatment regimen for thoracic osteochondrosis is developed individually. Chondrosis refers to those diseases that can provoke disruption of internal organs, and therefore require treatment.
In this case, an integrated approach is required. Drug therapy is mandatory.
Conservative treatment
Patients are prescribed painkillers and drugs with anti-inflammatory spectrum of action. With the help of these drugs, by reducing pain and reducing inflammation, the mobility of the vertebrae in the chest area is ensured. Acute manifestations are quickly stopped by injection.
In parallel, to improve the condition of bones and cartilage, chondroprotectors, mineral and vitamin complexes are prescribed.
The removal of muscle spasms is provided by muscle relaxants.
To speed up the action, therapeutic ointments and creams for external use can be used.
Patients are subjected to paravertebral blocks, with the help of which pain relief is possible. Injection solutions contain corticosteroids and antiseptics.
It is impossible to cure thoracic osteochondrosis with drugs alone. We are talking about measures such 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.
In the event of ineffectiveness of drug treatment, patients may be prescribed surgery. Sometimes surgery is the only option. Absolute indications for an operation are spinal instability, canal stenosis or spinal hernia.
Organization of proper nutrition
With osteochondrosis, a salt-free diet is provided. In addition, it is necessary to exclude spicy, fatty, fried foods, smoked meats, alcohol, carbonated drinks and 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 that are aimed at improving the function of the musculoskeletal system.
The daily menu should include foods rich in calcium and phosphorus. This list includes cottage cheese, hard cheese, milk, low-fat sea fish and meat. Vegetables, fruits and greens are also useful.
exercise therapy
The complex of physiotherapeutic exercises includes special exercises aimed at increasing the mobility of the problem area of \u200b\u200bthe spine, unnecessarily loading some elements of the skeletal system and eliminating muscle spasms in the cervicothoracic area.
To perform the exercises you need a gymnastics stick and a mat. Clothing should be as comfortable as possible and not restrict movement.
Before starting the class, it is recommended to warm up the muscles by doing a warm-up: slowly and alternately swinging your legs and arms and rotating your torso, pelvis and head in different directions. If the body movement causes pain, it should be done more gently or stopped.
Examples of exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Starting position: lying on your stomach, hands behind your head. First you need to spread your elbows as wide as possible, and then raise your shoulders and body. Hold this position for three seconds. Do the exercise 5 times in a row.
- Starting position: similar. Place your hands behind your back, clasp your palms in the lock. Bend forward and try to lift your arms up. Hold for three seconds. Perform at least 5 times.
- Position: standing on the floor, feet shoulder-width apart. Put your hands on your shoulders: left to left shoulder, right to right. Alternately raise your shoulders and point your head in the direction of movement. Perform 10 times.
- Lie on your stomach, stretch your arms forward. Lift the body. Perform 5 times in a row. Then put your hands along the body and also lift the body.
- Sit in a chair and hold an exercise stick in front of you. Take a deep breath while straightening your body. On the exhale, the hands with the projectile kneel, the upper body leans forward. Perform multiple times.
- Standing on the floor, place your hands over your shoulders with an exercise stick. Do body rotations to the right, then to the left 10 times.
- Sit in a chair, lean on your back. Bend hard, using the chest region. Perform at least 10 movements.
This exercise can be done at home. But before that, it is strongly recommended to get the permission of a specialist.
methods of traditional medicine
Folk remedies help to cope with the manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis faster. Drugs based on natural active ingredients are successfully used as an adjunctive therapy. A few effective recipes:
- Rub for external use. It is prepared as follows: in equal parts you need to take dandelion root, peppermint leaves, birch buds and coriander. Chop and mix the ingredients. Then 3 tbsp. l. mix (with a slide), pour half a glass of boiling water and put on a slow fire for 5 minutes. Allow to cool, add 75 g butter and 75 g sunflower oil. Cook for another 15 minutes. Rub into problem areas, then put on or pack up immediately.
- gimmicks. To prepare them, you can use fresh horseradish juice, steamed herbal bitters wormwood or flaxseed.
- Painkiller. Prepared like this: 2 tbsp. l. Chamomile paint should be poured with 350 ml of boiling water and put on a slow fire for 5 minutes. Then cool, strain. Take 125 ml 3 times a day after meals.
- rub hops. For cooking are taken in equal parts: hop cones, ground into powder, and melted lard. The ingredients are mixed. Used as a grater to relieve muscle tension.
All these drugs are prepared at home, but you can use them to treat the disease only after consulting a specialist.