Osteochondrosis - dystrophic and degenerative changes in cartilage and bone tissue. Osteochondrosis of the spine can occur in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. Progression of the disease leads to destruction of ligaments, joint structure, intervertebral discs.
Osteochondrosis of the spine in the thoracic part is not common. This is due to the peculiarities of its structure. Its mobility is less than the mobility of the cervical and lumbar region. Part of the load is taken by the ribs and the sternum. The danger of pathology in the severity of its diagnosis. The symptomatology is similar to other diseases, it is detected quite late, which complicates the treatment process.
Causes of disease
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis is associated with metabolic disorders and increased load on the intervertebral discs. Inside the intervertebral disc is the nucleus pulposus, which is surrounded by the annulus fibrosus. If it is damaged, it dries out and loses its cushioning qualities. As a result of degenerative processes, inflammation and contraction of the nerve fibers of the spinal cord occur.
Causes of osteochondrosis can be:
- heredity;
- intervertebral hernia;
- the presence of osteophytes;
- poor blood supply to the spinal cord due to vascular contraction;
- violation of mineral metabolism (especially calcium deficiency);
- curvature of the spine, which creates an uneven load on the discs;
- trauma to the thoracic part due to fall, bruise, blow;
- strength sports, regular weightlifting;
- passive lifestyle.
Symptoms and sensations of osteochondrosis of the chest
Several factors affect the clinical picture of pathology:
- degree of spinal cord injury;
- patient age;
- phase of the pathological process (exacerbation or remission).
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are characterized by diversity and nonspecificity, so the disease is often confused with other pathologies.
The main signs of osteochondrosis of the breast:
- Dorsago - sharp, sudden pain in the chest and back ("lumbago of the chest"), the patient feels short of breath.
- Dorsalgia is a minor pain in the affected vertebrae that develops gradually over several weeks. The pain may increase with deep breathing, bending to the side and forward, as well as during prolonged stay in a static position.
Feelings of severe low back pain and breathing problems are associated with intercostal neuralgia, in which nerve roots are compressed. The intensity of the pain usually intensifies in the afternoon and disappears after a night's sleep.
Among the neurological symptoms are:
- violation of limb sensitivity;
- heart muscle stiffness;
- pulmonary syndrome;
- tingling, stinging, numbness of the skin;
- twitching and muscle cramps;
- feeling the presence of a foreign object in the throat when osteochondrosis is localized in the upper thoracic segment.
Intercostal neuralgia is an accompanying symptom of degenerative-inflammatory pathologies of the spine (osteochondrosis, vertebral displacement, scoliosis). But its appearance is reminiscent of the signs of various diseases of the peritoneal organs and thoracic region.
Note!Often, the pain occurs in the upper zones of the chest, gradually covering it completely, as well as in the area of the shoulder blades (reminiscent of angina pectoris). Pain in the right hypochondrium occurs in osteochondrosis of the middle thoracic part. They can be diagnosed as pancreatitis or cholecystitis. Pain in the gastrointestinal tract occurs in lesions of the lower segment of the thoracic spine, imitating intestinal disease.
Stages of disease development
The stage of disease development is associated with pathological disorders of the spine, which are characterized by certain clinical symptoms.
There are 4 periods of disease development:
- 1st degree- the appearance of cracks inside the fibrous ring, after which the fluid of the nucleus pulposus penetrates it. Pain syndrome occurs, localized only in the affected area. There may be pain in the area of the heart muscle, muscle cramps.
- 2nd degree- Abnormal mobility between the vertebrae occurs, subluxations in the thoracic part are noticeable. With prolonged static posture or during movement, discomfort and increased pain are felt.
- Grade 3- rupture of the annulus fibrosus, which extends beyond the nucleus pulposus. Intervertebral hernias form. This causes severe low back pain, decreased mobility and other symptoms.
- 4 degrees- pathological processes extend beyond the spinal column. In degenerative-dystrophic changes, the paravertebral ligaments are involved, and fibrosis develops.
Diagnosis
Radiography is very informative. The presence of pathology indicates:
- uneven disc edges;
- increasing and sharpening uncinate processes;
- reduction of disc height, deformation of their shape;
- the presence of osteophytes.
Sometimes an X-ray contrast study is done. The contrast agent fills the destroyed disc, which enables the determination of the degree of neglect of the pathological process. MRI and computed tomography are considered no less informative.
Effective treatments
How to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region? The approach to therapy must be comprehensive. It is necessary to take into account the stage of disease development, the degree of destructive processes, the general condition of the patient.
Drug therapy
Several groups of drugs are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest.
- NSAIDs and muscle relaxants;
- Glucocorticosteroids. Their therapeutic effect is more pronounced than NSAIDs, but the risk of side effects is higher.
- Chondroprotectors. Chondroprotective agents are thought to contribute to the regulation of damaged cartilage tissue. But their effectiveness has not been finally confirmed.
- Diuretics are used for a short time to relieve swelling of strangulated nerve fibers during the worsening of osteochondrosis.
Folk remedies and recipes
It is more often used in the period of remission of the disease and only as an additional method of treatment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home using traditional medicine:
- Pour 30-40 g of chopped celery root with 1 liter of boiling water. Insist 8 hours. Drink 1 dessert spoon three times a day.
- Melt 150 g of lard on steam. Add 2 tablespoons of wax. Heat for 15 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of ammonia. Rub problem areas twice a day. Store in a cool place.
Massage and exercise therapy
One of the most effective therapeutic measures for osteochondrosis is massage. It helps to eliminate muscle spasm, improve the blood supply to the problem area and normalize the functional state of the spine. When the disease worsens, vibration massage is recommended. After the clinical manifestations have subsided, you can start a course of classical massage.
Massage is not recommended for thoracic osteochondrosis grade 3, when there is an intervertebral hernia. This can worsen the patient's condition.
The goal of physical therapy and gymnastics for osteochondrosis is to improve the mobility of the intervertebral joints, strengthening the muscular body. Exercise therapy allows you to relieve muscle cramps, remove stiffness of the spine. Classes should be conducted daily under the supervision of an experienced instructor. Their plan is made individually for each patient.
Power supply characteristics
The main principles of proper nutrition in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest:
- large amount of protein in the diet;
- exclusion of fatty and fried;
- food should be cooked or baked.
Salt should be excluded from the diet or should be significantly limited. Avoid fizzy and caffeinated beverages. It is better to replace them with herbal teas, natural juices. To enhance the synthesis of cartilage tissue, it is useful to introduce into the diet jellies, jellies, jellies, which contain chondroitin. To get enough calcium for bone health, you need to eat dairy products. Compliance with a proper diet prevents the progression of the pathological process.
Prevention measures
In order to prevent the development and worsening of destructive processes in the thoracic spine, it is recommended to take preventive measures as soon as possible and their regular monitoring.
Recommendations:
- do special back exercises every day;
- give up addiction;
- eat properly and balanced;
- normalize weight;
- with sedentary work 10 minutes every hour it is necessary to do warm-up;
- swimming, water aerobics;
Thoracic osteochondrosis is not very common compared to cervical and lumbar. But it is no less dangerous in its consequences for the body. It is quite difficult to detect in the early stages due to the similarity of symptoms with other pathologies. Therefore, it is important to constantly monitor the health of the spine, take all measures to prevent pathological destruction.