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 the circumstances in which it occurs in the thoracic region, its main symptoms and treatment.
Osteochondrosis of the spinal cord is the development of damage to the degenerative-dystrophic nature of the structure of vertebral tissue, from which it, as well as the intervertebral disc and cartilage tissue, is gradually destroyed. There are also other osteochondrosis, for example, cervical or lumbar. Compared with them, manifestations of thoracic pathology are more rare, because the spine in this part has less mobility and is also tied because of the ribs. However, in some cases, the disease even ends in deformity, this occurs as a result of the formation of intervertebral hernias. The only effective treatment in this case is surgery. Most often, the disease affects people over the age of 35-40 years.
Due to the uniqueness of the placement, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has less obvious symptoms and is less likely to occur due to external influences. The main risk for developing pathology is an inactive lifestyle, which is why the skeletal muscles of the back are weaker. The main causes of this disease are:
- Back load, which can occur due to lifting heavy objects and wearing heels, and due to special physiological conditions, such as pregnancy, or congenital foot deformities - flat feet.
- Inactivity, sedentary work, insufficient physical activity
- Scoliosis and other types of spinal curvature in the thoracic area
- Back injury
- Has a bad posture
- hereditary factors
- severe stress
Thoracic osteochondrosis ends with strong thinning of the intervertebral disc, formation of intervertebral hernias, formation of growths of connective tissue, and wear of the cartilage structures that make up the vertebral joints.
Pathological consequences often bring additional symptoms, when, for example, compression of the spinal canal or blood arteries 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 chest, the onset of symptoms often occurs when the spinal column is loaded, as well as due to sudden movements - when turning or tilting the body.
Often, there is a dull pain, localized between the shoulder blades, accompanied by a feeling that the sternum is being squeezed. In the presence of lower rib displacement, they speak of posterior costal syndrome, in which pain manifests itself in the lower part of the chest and scapular zone. In addition, pain often occurs if you try to feel the spine, where there is pathology.
Such painful manifestations are usually associated with one of two types:
- Severe, penetrating and sharp pain in the interscapular zone, as well as in the ribs. It is called Dorsago and is characterized by an increase in rotation and a change in body position. Usually, such pain is characteristic during exacerbations; symptomatic treatment is needed to relieve it.
- Dorsalgia is called a pain syndrome that appears gradually 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 chest level. An increase in intensity is observed if you take a deep breath or bend over. In addition, shortness of breath may be felt, as well as cramps in the muscles around the affected area. The onset of symptoms is usually provoked during prolonged stay in one position, for example, after a night’s sleep.
Additional pathological conditions that accompany thoracic osteochondrosis will depend on the depth of their manifestations. For example, in a situation where the nerve endings that pass through the vertebrae are strongly compressed, there will be a loss of sensitivity, which can affect the tendon reflex. 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, as a result of which some loss of function of these organs and systems is likely with the appearance of symptoms corresponding to heaviness, congestion, sick.
Among the additional manifestations of the disease, there are often problems with normal breathing, local pain sensations:
- In the chest and on the left side of the heart
- Below the ribs on the right or left, which may raise 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 most noticeable. For this purpose, the doctor prescribes the following drugs:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Analgesic
- Local anesthetics, namely creams, ointments, patches
- Relaxes muscles during severe cramps
- vitamin
- Antidepressants
To stop the progression of the disease, various physiotherapy procedures are used, as well as adjustments of diet and vitamin intake. Some doctors supplement treatment with drugs called chondroprotectors. They are credited with the properties of restoring damaged cartilage and bone. However, the effectiveness of such funds has no serious evidence, at the same time, their course lasts from 6 months and can be quite expensive. Based on this, the intake of these drugs must be agreed with the doctor, but it is better to seek advice from some experts.
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 used:
- Shock waves, laser and magnetic therapy, as well as ultraviolet and electrophoresis
- Complex physiotherapy exercises. Osteochondrosis is treated very effectively with the help of gymnastic exercises. Typically, the entire set of exercises is repeated several times a day, which help strengthen the muscles of the back and thoracic area, and restore vertebral mobility. With the help of gymnastics, both treatment and prevention of diseases are carried out, specific complexes are selected by the attending physician. Keep in mind that you can start training only after pain symptoms have stopped, and if pain occurs during the procedure, its intensity should be reduced.
- Massage that helps stretch the spine, intensifies the metabolism of substances in the vertebrae and surrounding elements
- A special diet to compensate for the lack of substances necessary for the restoration of the structure of cartilage tissue.
What to do with aggravation?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is a chronic disease, so it is characterized by periods when it worsens. This usually happens after doing serious physical exercise at the gym or at work, severe stress, accumulated fatigue. At this point, additional symptoms may be:
- Headaches border on migraines
- Dizziness and vomiting
- dizziness
- strong weakness
- Hard to breath
- Limited movement
Severe pain in the spine, associated with the dorsago, with exacerbation, is almost unstoppable on its own. In addition, the free choice of powerful painkillers is fraught with serious side effects, additional complications and treatments. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help in such a period, if it is not possible to visit a neurologist yourself, then you need to call an ambulance. Pain symptoms were well removed in the hospital, with intramuscular injections of analgesics and simultaneous use of local anesthesia.
If osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is in the acute stage, then the following rules of treatment should be observed:
- You need to stay in bed, unloading as much spinal space as possible
- Medications that need to be taken should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.
- You can go to physiotherapy only with the permission of a doctor.
- Diet needs to be adjusted
With the presence of a herniated disc, additional drug therapy is prescribed, as well as wearing a corset. If the hernia is large, then the only effective method of therapy is to perform surgery, which is prescribed individually based on the results of the diagnosis.
Prevention
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine often appears in people of certain professions, so everyone who, on the one hand, engaged in heavy work associated with weight lifting, on the other hand, is very inactive during the work process, should pay attention to their posture, periodically strengthening the back musclesthem and provide useful motor activity to the vertebrae. Therefore, the prevention of osteochondrosis involves doing physical exercise several times a day. Do not massage excessively and freely.
In addition, it is important to change the diet to exclude products whose components lead to degenerative processes and increased wear and tear of cartilage and bone. The diet should minimize the amount of salty, sweet, spicy, spicy, fried. Foods should be chosen naturally, where there are no preservatives and dyes. Preference is given to vegetables, fruits, grains, lean meats and fish, dairy products. To speed up salt metabolism, adults should drink at least two liters of fluid per day. It is better to refuse alcohol and coffee. In addition, it is important to avoid the appearance of excess weight, which increases the load on the vertebrae.
Another factor that helps prevent osteochondrosis of the thoracic area is healthy sleep. By "healthy" in this case, we mean the position in which the body is. To minimize discomfort during sleep, it is best to use individually selected pillows and orthopedic mattresses.
The implementation of these measures will help to prevent the onset of symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis and avoid long-term treatment.