Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic-degenerative disease of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral joints, which leads to their destruction.Localization of osteochondrosis in the vertebrae of the thoracic spine is called thoracic osteochondrosis.Compared with osteochondrosis of other locations - cervical or lumbar - thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed less often, which is due to the anatomical characteristics of the chest structure.It is a relatively static structure in which the mobility of the spine itself is relatively low - therefore, even with an active pathological process in the intervertebral discs, the probability of their injury is minimal.In the recent past, when diagnostic possibilities were limited, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered the prerogative of only elderly patients.Now it is revealed not only in youth, 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;
- disorders of blood supply to the spinal column;
- excessive or irrational physical stress on the spine (during sports or due to heavy physical work);
- disorder of mineral metabolism in the body, lack of certain microelements;
- sedentary lifestyle, sedentary professional activity;
- weakness of the back muscles, which results in improper posture and irrational distribution of the load on the spine;
- injuries.
In addition, there are a number of factors that can cause the disease to worsen during 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 consequence of such a disease is the destruction of the structures that form the spine.The result can be scoliosis, pathologies of the respiratory system (pneumonia, pneumosclerosis), circulation disorders of internal organs, diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract (pancreatitis, cholecystitis).The negative consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis can also extend to the urogenital system.Persistent pain syndrome, characteristic of osteochondrosis, reduces the quality of life and can be "masked" as other diseases, which causes incorrect diagnoses and treatment.
How is thoracic osteochondrosis manifested?
In case of thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms are quite characteristic:
- pain - occurs when a person is in one position for a long time, as well as during movement, lifting heavy loads and physical activity.It is characterized by dull, constant pain in the area of the shoulder blades, as well as pain when trying to raise the arms;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- tightness in the chest, which makes deep breathing difficult;
- reduced sensitivity certain areas of the skin;
- paresthesia - feeling of "creeping goosebumps" on the skin, burning, stinging;
- 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 syndromes that accompany osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: dorsalgia (long-term pain in the area of the affected intervertebral cartilage) and dorsago (intense paroxysmal pain, accompanied by muscle spasms and difficulty breathing).
Characteristic for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is the so-called gastro syndrome - epigastric pain that is not related to meals, time of day or year.
Degree of thoracic osteochondrosis
In clinical practice, there are 4 stages of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, depending on the degree of cartilage damage and the involvement of surrounding structures in the pathological process.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine 1st degree: the discs between the vertebrae lose their elasticity, become somewhat thinner, and in the fibrous rings of the discs, local protrusions - protrusions - may appear.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 2 degrees: The condition of the intervertebral discs progresses, and the thoracic spine loses stability.At this stage, pain begins to bother you, often accompanied by neurological symptoms: paresthesia, numbness of the skin.Cracks may appear on the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine III degree corresponds to the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 4 degrees characterized by the complete loss of its cushioning properties between the vertebrae.Vertebral convergence becomes critical, and bone tissue begins to deteriorate.Blood vessels and nerves are constricted in the spinal canal, which leads to persistent neurological symptoms, intense pain syndrome and circulatory disorders.
Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of "chest osteochondrosis" is made based on the examination of the patient, his examination and examination: radiography and magnetic resonance imaging.X-ray examination helps in determining the localization of spinal lesions, and magnetic resonance helps in clarifying the diagnosis and excluding the presence of benign and malignant neoplasms.
Numerous symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are non-specific - the same signs may indicate other diseases.This explains quite frequent errors in diagnosis when, for example, a patient is treated for a long time for pancreatitis due to pain, the real cause of which is thoracic osteochondrosis.Therefore, comprehensive diagnostics and the involvement of related specialists - gastroenterologists, pulmonologists - for an additional examination of the patient are very important.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: treatment
Given that the restoration of the destroyed cartilage tissue is impossible, 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 a timely manner - when the first manifestations of pathology appear, discomfort in the back, minor pain, numbness or tingling of the skin.
In the first stages of the disease, treatment is reduced to taking non-narcotic analgesics to relieve pain and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process in the tissues, but also eliminate pain.However, the main emphasis in the treatment of the initial stage of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is on the use of chondroprotectors.This is the name of a group of drugs intended to restore normal metabolism in cartilage tissue, which results in the improvement of cartilage tissue trophism and the slowing down of its destruction.
As the pathological process progresses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve inflammation, as a rule, become insufficient, which forces the doctor to supplement the therapy with glucocorticosteroid drugs.In addition, diuretics can be added to the list of medications to remove swelling in the roots of pinched spinal nerves and thus alleviate the corresponding neurological symptoms and pain.The inclusion of spasmolytic drugs in the therapy enables the removal of muscle spasm that accompanies osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
With the development of intervertebral hernia and the destruction of the bone tissue of the vertebrae, conservative treatment loses its effectiveness;the only reasonable alternative is surgical treatment of osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy for thoracic osteochondrosis
Outside the period of exacerbation, physiotherapy brings good results.Methods effective 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, all manipulations should be as gentle as possible, carried out exclusively outside the period of exacerbation, so as not to cause worsening of 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, remove muscle spasm and stiffness of the spine.Exercise therapy makes it possible to strengthen the muscular corset, as well as increase the physical mobility of the patient as a whole, which is an important factor in stimulating blood circulation and restoring pulmonary ventilation.
Before performing a set of special exercises, you should do a light general warm-up with the aim of warming up the muscles or take a warm shower.A good warm-up before exercise helps to avoid injuries.All movements should be smooth;sharp bends and turns, which 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 remove unpleasant symptoms.