Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic-degenerative disease of the cartilage tissue of 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 localization - cervical or lumbar - thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed less frequently, which is due to the anatomical features of the structure of the chest.It is a relatively static structure, where the mobility of the spine itself is relatively low - therefore, even with an active pathological process in the intervertebral discs, the probability of their damage is minimal.In recent times, when diagnostic options were limited, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered the privilege of exclusively elderly patients.Now it is detected not only at a young age, but even in childhood.
Why does thoracic osteochondrosis develop?
Among the causes of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following should be highlighted:
- pathologies of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs - both hereditary and acquired due to various factors;
- disturbances in the blood supply to the spine;
- excessive or irrational physical stress on the spine (during sports or due to heavy physical work);
- disturbances in mineral metabolism in the body, lack of certain microelements;
- sedentary lifestyle, sedentary professional activity;
- weakness of the back muscles, resulting in incorrect posture and irrational distribution of the load on the spine;
- damages.
In addition, there are a number of factors that can cause a worsening of the disease 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 of this can be scoliosis, pathologies of the respiratory system (pneumonia, pneumosclerosis), circulatory disorders in 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 "disguise" itself as other diseases, causing incorrect diagnoses and treatment.
How does thoracic osteochondrosis manifest?
With thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms are quite characteristic:
- pain - occurs when a person is in a position for a long time, as well as during movements, heavy lifting and physical activity.Characterized by a dull, constant pain in the area of the shoulder blades, as well as pain when you try to raise your arms;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- feeling of tightness in the chest, as a result of which deep breathing becomes difficult;
- reduced sensitivity certain areas of the skin;
- paresthesia - feeling of "creepy goosebumps" on the skin, burning, tingling;
- drop in temperature certain areas of the skin;
- drop in temperature foot skin, itching sensation, burning sensation in them;
- digestive disorders.
There are two main types of pain syndrome accompanying osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: dorsalgiyu (long-lasting pain in the area of the affected intervertebral cartilage) and dorsago (intense paroxysmal pain, accompanied by muscle spasms and difficulty breathing).
Characteristic of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is the so-called gastro syndrome - epigastric pain not associated with meals, time of day or year.
Degrees of thoracic osteochondrosis
In clinical practice, there are 4 degrees of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, depending on the degree of cartilage damage and 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 local protrusions - protrusions - may appear in the fibrous rings of the discs.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 2nd degree: The thinning 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 can occur on the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine, 3rd degree corresponds to the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 4 degrees characterized by complete loss of its shock-absorbing properties between the vertebral disc.The convergence of the vertebrae becomes critical and bone tissue begins to deteriorate.Vessels and nerves are pinched in the spinal canals, leading to persistent neurological symptoms, intense pain syndrome and circulatory disturbances.
Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis
The diagnosis "thoracic osteochondrosis" is made on the basis of an examination of the patient, his examination and examination: radiography and magnetic resonance imaging.X-ray examination helps to establish the localization of spinal lesions, and magnetic resonance imaging helps to clarify the diagnosis and exclude the presence of benign and malignant neoplasms.
A number of 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 a patient, for example, is treated for a long time for pancreatitis due to pain, the true cause of which is thoracic osteochondrosis.Therefore, comprehensive diagnostics and involvement of related specialists - gastroenterologists, pulmonologists - for further examination of the patient is very important.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: treatment
Given the fact that the restoration of damaged 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 very first manifestations of pathology, discomfort in the back, minor pain, numbness or burning of the skin appear.
In the first stages of the disease, the treatment comes down to taking non-narcotic analgesics to relieve pain and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process in tissues and 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, resulting in improved trophism of cartilage tissue and slowing down its destruction.
As the pathological process progresses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve inflammation usually become insufficient, forcing the doctor to supplement the treatment with glucocorticosteroid drugs.In addition, diuretics can be added to the list of medications to eliminate swelling at the roots of pinched spinal nerves, thereby relieving the corresponding neurological symptoms and pain.The inclusion of antispasmodic drugs in the therapy makes it possible to eliminate the muscle spasm accompanying osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
With the development of an intervertebral hernia and 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 of periods of exacerbation, physiotherapy gives good results.Methods that are effective for osteochondrosis in 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, any manipulation must be as gentle as possible, carried out exclusively outside periods of exacerbation, so as not to provoke an aggravation of the pathological process.
Therapeutic exercise for thoracic osteochondrosis
An important component of the complex treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is physiotherapy (physical therapy). The purpose of the exercises is to restore mobility in the intervertebral joints, eliminate muscle spasms and eliminate stiffness in the spine.Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen the muscle 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 lung 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 training helps to avoid injuries.All movements must be smooth;sharp bends and turns, which can aggravate spinal cord 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, started from the first signs of the disease, will help stop the pathological process and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.