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 tissues of the vertebrae, due to which they, as well as the intervertebral discs and cartilage tissue, are gradually destroyed. There are also other osteochondrosis, for example, cervical or lumbar. Compared to them, the manifestations of the pathology of the chest are rarer, since the spine in this part has less mobility and is additionally fixed due to the ribs. However, in some cases, the disease ends even 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 over the age of 35-40.
Due to the peculiarities of placement, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has less severe symptoms and is less likely to occur due to external influences. The main risk of developing pathology is a sedentary lifestyle, which is why the muscular skeleton of the back is much weaker. The main causes of the disease are:
- Overloading of the back, which can occur both due to lifting heavy objects and wearing heels, as well as due to special physiological conditions, such as pregnancy, or congenital defects in the feet - flat feet.
- Inactivity, sedentary work, insufficient physical activity
- Scoliosis and other types of curvature of the spine in the thoracic region
- Back injury
- Having poor posture
- hereditary factors
- severe stress
Thoracic osteochondrosis ends with severe thinning of the intervertebral discs, formation of intervertebral hernias, formation of growths from the connective tissue and wear of the cartilaginous structures that form the vertebral joints.
The consequences of the pathology often bring additional symptoms, when, for example, compression of the 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 manifestation of the disease in the chest, the appearance of symptoms often occurs when the spine is loaded, as well as due to sudden movements - when turning or tilting the body.
Most often, there is a feeling of dull aching pain, which is located between the shoulder blades, accompanied by a feeling that the sternum is being compressed. In the presence of displacement of the lower ribs, they talk about a posterior-lateral syndrome, in which the pain manifests itself in the lower part of the chest and in the shoulder blade zone. In addition, pain often occurs if you try to feel the spine, where there is a pathology.
Such painful manifestations are usually attributed to one of two types:
- Intense, penetrating and sharp pain in the interscapular region, as well as in the sides. 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.
- Dasalgia is called a gradually occurring pain syndrome that lasts 7-20 days. The nature of the pain in this case is dull and mild, the place of manifestation is in the spine at the level of the chest. An increase in intensity is noted if you take a deep breath or bend over. In addition, shortness of breath may be felt, as well as muscle spasms around the affected area. The appearance of a symptom is usually triggered 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 their manifestation. For example, in a situation where the nerve endings passing through the vertebrae are severely compressed, there will be a loss of sensitivity, which can affect tendon reflexes. In addition, with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, pinching of the nerve endings responsible for the liver, heart, kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal organs often occurs, resulting in some loss of functionality of these organs and systems and the appearance of corresponding symptomsheaviness, 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 may 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 the symptoms that are most pronounced. For this purpose, the doctor prescribes the following drugs:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Analgesics
- Local anesthetics, which are creams, ointments, patches
- Muscle relaxation during intense 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 damaged cartilage and bones. 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, taking these drugs must 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 often used:
- Shock wave, laser and magnetic therapy, as well as ultraviolet radiation and electrophoresis
- Complexes of physiotherapy exercises. Osteochondrosis is treated very effectively with the help of physical exercises. Usually, the entire set of exercises is repeated several times a day, which helps to strengthen the muscles of the back and chest area and restore the mobility of the vertebrae. With the help of gymnastics, both treatment and prevention of the disease are carried out, a specific complex is selected by the attending physician. It is worth remembering that you can start the exercises only after the symptoms of pain have stopped, and if pain occurs during the procedure, its intensity should be reduced.
- Massages that help stretch the spine, intensify the metabolism of materials in the vertebrae and their surrounding elements
- Special diets to compensate for the lack of substances necessary for the restoration of cartilaginous tissue structures.
What to do with a flare-up?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is a chronic disease, so it is characterized by periods of worsening. This usually happens after serious physical exertion in the gym or at work, intense stress, accumulated fatigue. At this point, additional symptoms are possible:
- Headache bordering on migraine
- Nausea and vomiting
- dizziness
- strong weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Limited movement
Severe pain in the spine, associated with dorsago, with a flare-up, can hardly stop on its own. In addition, 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 such a period, if it is not possible to visit a neurologist yourself, then you need to call an ambulance. Pain symptoms are well removed in the hospital, with intramuscular injection of analgesics and the simultaneous use of local anesthesia.
If osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is in the acute stage, then the following treatment rules should be observed:
- You need to stay in bed, unloading the spine as much as possible
- Medicines to be taken should only be taken as directed by the doctor.
- You can go to physiotherapy only with the doctor's permission.
- The diet must be adjusted
In the presence of a herniated disc, additional drug therapy is prescribed, as well as the use of a corset. If the hernia is large, then the only effective method of treatment will be to perform an operation, which is prescribed individually based on the results of the diagnosis.
Prevention
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine often occurs in people of certain professions, so everyone who, on the one hand, is engaged in heavy work related to lifting weights, on the other hand, is very inactive during the work process, should be careful. their posture, periodically strengthen their back muscles and give useful motor activity to the vertebrae. Thus, the prevention of osteochondrosis involves performing physical training several times a day. Do not be unnecessary and independent massage.
In addition, it is important to change the diet in order to exclude products whose ingredients lead to degenerative processes and increased wear of cartilage and bones. The diet should minimize the amount of salty, sweet, spicy, spicy, fried foods. Food should be selected naturally, in which there are no preservatives and dyes. Priority is given to vegetables, fruits, cereals, lean meat and fish, dairy products. To speed up salt metabolism, adults should drink at least two liters of fluids 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 sound 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 pillow and orthopedic mattress.
The implementation of these measures will help to avoid the appearance of symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis and to avoid long-term treatment.