Clinically, thoracic osteochondrosis (chondrosis) is manifested by sharp, piercing or dull, aching pain, tingling and clicking when bending, and stiffness.The pathology is characterized by numerous specific symptoms - a feeling of lack of air when inhaling, discomfort in the heart area and even a sore throat.The treatment of the pathology is mainly conservative with pharmacological drugs.Physiotherapy procedures, massage sessions and the help of chiropractors are also done.If such treatment is ineffective, the patient is indicated for surgery.
Details about the symptoms
The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine never appear at the same time.In the initial stage of development of this degenerative-dystrophic pathology, only mild back discomfort is noted.Patients take them for ordinary overfatigue after a hard day at work and write them off as "stiff" muscles from being in one position for too long.
But the intensity of discomfort increases slowly, steadily.Unpleasant sensations are replaced by severe pain, complicated by limited range of motion, dizziness and headaches.In medicine, all symptoms of osteochondrosis of this localization are divided into several groups.This helps to diagnose it faster and decide on treatment tactics.
Note: the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in men and women do not differ in character, severity or localization.But in representatives of the stronger sex, they may appear a little later due to a stronger musculoskeletal system.Also, some men experience erectile dysfunction due to osteochondrosis.
Spinal symptoms
Under the influence of adverse factors (hypothermia, increased physical activity), the long-term remission of thoracic osteochondrosis can be interrupted by a sudden attack of acute pain.Even more often, it is triggered by prolonged stay in a body position, for example, sitting.If a person stands up suddenly, such sharp back pain occurs that he loses the ability to move for several minutes.
In medicine, this condition is called dorsago.It differs from ordinary pain in accompanying symptoms:
- feeling of lack of air when inhaling.
- severe stiffness.
The course of the pathology is often complicated by dorsal - pain in the thoracic part of the spine, the intensity of which gradually increases.It intensifies when you bend or turn the body sideways.In order not to feel pain, a person takes a forced position.At the same time, it unwittingly strains the back muscles, unwittingly causing them to overstretch.Now they are starting to hurt too, especially when walking.
Extravertebral symptoms
As thoracic osteochondrosis develops, the intervertebral discs become thinner and destroyed.These cartilage pads can no longer distribute the resulting loads and prevent the vertebrae from hitting each other.A compensatory response of the body is triggered - bone structures begin to deform with the formation of growths.They put pressure on the sensitive nerve endings and attack the spinal canal.Therefore, specific symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis appear in women and men: loss of sensitivity in certain areas of the body, burning sensation and "goosebumps".
Great!Osteochondrosis of the thoracic localization often manifests itself as a dry, unproductive cough, a sore throat, a feeling of volume in it, as well as urination disorders.
But that's not all.Spinal roots are responsible not only for the innervation (transmission of nerve impulses) of the spine, but also of the internal organs.Therefore, when they are pressed, discomfort occurs from the liver, kidneys, digestive system and myocardium.Which signs of thoracic osteochondrosis are not typical for back pathologies are:
- pain in the heart area, identical to the recurrence of angina pectoris, shortness of breath, a feeling of "squeezing" the heart.
- panic attacks, psycho-emotional instability, unjustified fear, anxiety, sleep disorders.
- discomfort in the epigastric region, attacks of nausea, sometimes leading to vomiting, sour belching, bloating, boiling and rumbling in it.
- peristaltic disorders - constipation or diarrhea.
- long, labored breaths with sobs;
With thoracic osteochondrosis, the pain can spread to the anterior areas of the body.
The pain is not located directly in the area of the damaged intervertebral disc and (or) formed intervertebral hernia.They radiate along the nerve.Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can be disguised as renal colic, symptoms of gastritis, gastric ulcers, hepatitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis and even gastroenteritis.
Compressive myelopathy
This is the name of the extravertebral syndrome, which is rarely encountered in clinical practice.It is observed in stages 3-4 of the disease, when, due to loss of stability of the vertebral segment, the nucleus pulposus protrudes beyond the annulus fibrosus.An intervertebral hernia is formed, which constantly puts pressure on the spinal cord.When visiting a spondylologist or neurologist, patients complain of frequent pain in the belt radiating to the groin.At the same time, feelings of weakness and numbness in the lower extremities are observed.
In the context of spinal cord injury, innervation is severely disrupted.In the absence of treatment, the functional activity of the organs located in the pelvis decreases.Compressive myelopathy causes problems with bowel movements.And due to the sharp narrowing of the diameter of the spinal canal, the sensitivity of the legs is significantly reduced.In severe cases, patients are diagnosed with paresis (partial or complete paralysis) of one or both lower limbs.
Recession symptoms
Except for relapses, osteochondrosis of the chest almost does not bother a person.Occasionally, there is a pulling, aching, dull pain in the back, which usually subsides after a long rest.But as soon as you increase the load on the spine even a little, lift a heavy object or bend over, another relapse follows.It can also be caused by the following factors:
- stressful situations, depressive situations.
- hypothermia, sudden temperature changes.
- staying in one body position for a long time.
- alcohol abuse;
- unbalanced diet, lack of foods with a high content of calcium, phosphorus, manganese, molybdenum in the diet.
Sometimes the remission stage ends because of a person's efforts to avoid another relapse.Visits a chiropractor or massage therapist with a dubious reputation or little practical experience.An attempt to stretch the spine leads to another flare-up.
Basic treatment methods
It is not yet possible to completely cure the pathology, so all the efforts of doctors are aimed at improving the patient's well-being.Patients are advised to wear orthopedic products (corsets, bandages), which stabilize the spinal structures and prevent their displacement.Medicines of various clinical and pharmacological groups are prescribed, physical therapy measures and physical therapy exercises are carried out.
The movements of the chiropractor's hands are aimed at increasing the spaces between the vertebrae, which are reduced with thoracic osteochondrosis.With thoracic osteochondrosis of high severity, conservative treatment is useless.Patients are immediately offered surgery - resection of an intervertebral hernia, arthrodesis, placement of implants in place of the damaged disc, bone grafting.
Pharmacotherapy
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is aimed at eliminating all symptoms and stopping the destructive and degenerative processes.In periods of exacerbation, solutions for parenteral administration are used, which show results after 5-10 minutes.Then the result is ensured by a course of taking tablets, applying ointments and gels.In the recession stage, external factors are mainly used, which have a milder effect on the body.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
This is the most commonly used group of drugs in the complex treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.Their active ingredients block the biosynthesis of pain, inflammation and fever mediators from arachidonic acids.Even after just one use of NSAIDs, a person's well-being improves significantly:
- the severity of the pain syndrome decreases.
- the unpleasant squeaking that occurs when the body rotates and bends disappears.
- inflammatory processes in soft tissues weaken, swelling subsides.
- the range of motion in the thoracic region increases.
Preparations with vitamins of the B complex
Nerve disorders are well treated with drugs containing B vitamins. They improve the transmission of nerve impulses in the central and peripheral nervous system and stimulate the restoration of damaged spinal roots.The composition of the products is presented on the world market with a variety of drugs.Most often, treating physicians prescribe to patients medicinal complexes of B vitamins intended for intramuscular administration.In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, preparations with B vitamins are in demand.
In the first week of treatment, intramuscular administration of therapeutic complexes is applied.In addition to vitamins, they contain a local anesthetic that instantly eliminates pain.And then patients are advised to take pills for a month.
Glucocorticosteroids
The use of these synthetic analogues of hormones produced by the adrenal glands is applied when safer means are ineffective.Glucocorticosteroids are prescribed to patients for acute, piercing back pain, radiating to internal organs.Medicines can also be taken orally, but much more often they are given parenterally, including at the sites of damaged discs.The use of hormonal agents has been well proven.
Glucocorticosteroids are characterized by a wide list of contraindications and possible side effects.Long-term treatment of chondrosis of the thoracic spine with hormones leads to tissue damage in the liver, kidneys and stomach.Thus their use is prohibited in patients with cirrhosis, peptic ulcer, renal failure, and osteoporosis.
Muscle relaxants
Back pain is often explained by the increased tone of its skeletal muscles.To relax it, muscle relaxants are used - first in the form of solutions for parenteral administration, and then in tablets.Medicines relieve muscle spasms that cause compression of the spinal root.Which muscle relaxants are most effective:
- Blockade of multisynaptic reflexes.
- Relaxing spasmodic muscles.
- Reduction of prostaglandin release.
Drugs are rarely used as monotherapy.Thoracic chondrosis is treated with muscle relaxants in combination with glucocorticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Their major drawback is that addiction develops quite quickly, so it is forbidden to use them for more than a week.
Carboprotectors
Unlike drugs that eliminate the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, such drugs are also used for pathogenetic treatment.This is the only group of drugs that can enhance the production of chondrocytes necessary for the partial restoration of cartilaginous intervertebral discs.All the therapeutic effects of chondroprotectants are due to the high content of glucosamine and (or) chondroitin.They are part of regeneration stimulants.
For the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, mucopolysaccharide of high molecular weight is used, which affects metabolic processes and partially restores the intervertebral discs.
But chondroprotectors are valued not only for their ability to restore discs.Their components shine in the area of the damaged part of the spine.After 2-3 weeks the maximum therapeutic concentration of glucosamine and chondroitin is created.Now the drugs are starting to show a strong analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effect.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with chondroprotectants in the form of injectable solutions or tablets is recommended.Despite all the assurances of the manufacturers about the effectiveness of ointments and creams, they could not provide evidence of their therapeutic effectiveness.
Non-pharmacological treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region with pharmacological drugs should be combined with regular physical exercise.Exercise therapy is the most effective treatment method to prevent disability.Thanks to daily training, the muscular framework of the back and the ligamentous-tendonological apparatus of the thoracic region are strengthened and the production of synovial fluid that nourishes the spinal structures is improved.The set of exercises is determined by the physical therapist after studying the results of the X-ray diagnosis. He is present at the first lessons and monitors the dosage of the loads.
Manual therapy for osteochondrosis is also applied, aiming to increase the spaces between the discs and the vertebrae.Dry or underwater traction (extension) of the spine is performed and at home, hanging on a bar.The effectiveness of manual therapy increases with simultaneous natural processes:
- electrophoresis?
- laser therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- ultraviolet radiation;
- potential currents.
Patients undergo 10-15 sessions of classic, vacuum, Nordic massage with acupuncture.Hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and sanatorium-resort treatment with radon and hydrogen sulfide baths are also helpful.
Only with the help of a comprehensive approach to the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is it possible to eliminate further damage to the discs and deformation of the vertebrae.Following the doctor's recommendations helps to get rid of all the symptoms of chronic pathology as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
What symptoms are characteristic of thoracic osteochondrosis?
Thoracic osteochondrosis is manifested by pain in the chest, back and neck, a feeling of stiffness in movements, numbness of the hands, as well as headaches and dizziness.
What factors contribute to the development of thoracic osteochondrosis?
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis can be promoted by incorrect posture, sedentary lifestyle, incorrect posture when sitting at the computer, as well as injuries and overloads of the spine.
What are the treatment methods for thoracic osteochondrosis?
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes physical therapy, massage, therapeutic exercises, wearing a corset, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, and in some cases surgery.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Maintain proper posture and avoid sitting for long periods in the wrong position, as this can worsen the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Tip #2
Regularly engage in exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back and chest to reduce the load on the spine and reduce the risk of flare-ups of osteochondrosis.
Tip #3
If you experience pain in the thoracic spine, consult your doctor to get professional advice and prescribe the necessary treatment.