Osteochondrosis is called damage to bones and cartilage in various parts of the spine. In this article, we will consider the characteristics of this defect, in a situation where it occurs in the thoracic region, its main symptoms and treatment.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is the progression of damage to the degenerative-dystrophic nature of the tissue structures of the vertebrae, due to which they, as well as the intervertebral discs and cartilaginous tissue, are gradually destroyed. There are also other osteochondroses, for example cervical or lumbar. In comparison with them, the manifestations of thoracic pathology are rarer, as the spine in this part has less mobility and is additionally stuck due to the ribs. However, in some cases, the disease even ends with disability, this happens as a result of the formation of intervertebral hernias. The only effective treatment in this case will be surgery. Most often, the disease affects people over the age of 35-40 years.
Due to the peculiarities of placement, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has less pronounced symptoms and is less likely to occur due to external influences. The main risk of developing pathology is a sedentary lifestyle, which is why the muscular skeleton of the back is much weaker. The main causes of the disease are:
- Back strain, which can occur either from lifting heavy objects and wearing heels, or from special physiological conditions such as pregnancy or birth defects in the feet - flat feet.
- Inactivity, sedentary work, insufficient physical activity
- Scoliosis and other types of spinal curvature in the thoracic region
- back injury
- have bad posture
- hereditary factors
- severe stress
Thoracic osteochondrosis ends with a sharp thinning of the intervertebral discs, the formation of intervertebral hernias, the formation of connective tissue growths, and the wear and tear of the cartilaginous structures that form the vertebral joints.
The consequences of the pathology often bring additional symptoms, when, for example, compression of the spinal canals or blood arteries occurs. As well as several other manifestations that require additional complex treatment.
Symptoms of Osteochondrosis of the Thoracic Region
With the thoracic manifestation of the disease, the appearance of symptoms usually occurs when the spine is loaded, as well as due to sudden movements - when turning or tilting the body.
Most often, there is a dull aching sensation, located between the shoulder blades, accompanied by a feeling of tightness of the sternum. In the presence of a dislocation of the lower ribs, they speak of a posterior costal syndrome, in which pain manifests itself in the lower part of the chest and in the zone of the scapula. In addition, pain often occurs if you try to feel the spine, where there is pathology.
Such painful manifestations are usually attributed to one of two types:
- Intense, stabbing and sharp pain in the interscapular area, as well as in the ribs. It's called Dorsago and it's characterized by an increase in turns and changes in body position. Generally, this pain is characteristic during exacerbations, requiring symptomatic treatment for its relief.
- Dorsalgia is called a gradual onset pain syndrome that lasts for 7 to 20 days. The nature of the pain in this case is dull and mild, the place of manifestation is in the spine at the level of the chest. An increase in intensity is noticed if you take a deep breath or bend over. Additionally, shortness of breath may be felt as well as spasms in the muscles around the affected area. The onset of a symptom is usually provoked during a long stay in one position, for example after a night's sleep.
Additional pathological conditions accompanying thoracic osteochondrosis will depend on the depth of its manifestation. For example, in a situation where the nerve endings passing through the vertebrae are heavily compressed, there will be a loss of sensation, which can affect tendon reflexes. In addition, in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, pinching of the nerve endings responsible for the liver, heart, kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal organs often occurs, which can result in some loss of functionality of these organs and systems. the appearance of corresponding symptoms of heaviness, tightness, pain.
Among the additional manifestations of the disease, there are often problems with normal breathing, localized pain sensations:
- In the chest and on the left side of the heart
- Under the ribs on the right or left, which can raise suspicion of cholecystitis and other conditions
- In the throat, esophagus, stomach and intestines
Thoracic osteochondrosis treatment
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptomatic treatment is prescribed, that is, it depends on which symptoms are more pronounced. For this purpose, the doctor prescribes the following drugs:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
- Analgesics
- Local anesthetics, which are creams, ointments, patches
- Relaxing muscles during severe spasms
- vitamins
- antidepressants
To stop the progression of the disease, several physiotherapeutic procedures are used, in addition to dietary adjustments and vitamin intake. Some doctors supplement treatment with drugs called chondroprotectors. They are credited with the properties of restoring destroyed cartilage and bones. However, the effectiveness of such funds does not have 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 should be agreed with the doctor, but it is better to consult several specialists.
As an additional treatment aimed at preventing the pathology in the future, physiotherapy is used to promote the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Most often used:
- Shockwave, laser and magnetic therapy, as well as ultraviolet and electrophoresis
- Physiotherapy exercise complexes. Osteochondrosis is treated very effectively with the help of gymnastic exercises. Typically, the entire set of exercises is repeated several times a day, which helps to strengthen the muscles of the back and thoracic region and restore mobility to the vertebrae. With the help of gymnastics, treatment and prevention of the disease are carried out, a specific complex is selected by the attending physician. It is worth remembering that you can start the exercises only after the pain symptoms have ceased, and if any pain occurs during the procedure, its intensity should be reduced.
- Massages that help lengthen the spine, intensify the metabolism of material in the vertebrae and their surrounding elements
- Special diets to compensate for the lack of substances necessary for the restoration of cartilage tissue structures.
What to do with an exacerbation?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is a chronic disease, so it is characterized by periods when it gets worse. This usually happens after serious physical exertion at the gym or at work, severe stress, accumulated fatigue. At this point, additional symptoms are likely:
- Headache bordering on migraine
- Nausea and vomit
- dizziness
- strong weakness
- difficulty breathing
- limited movement
Severe back pain related to the back, with exacerbation, can hardly be stopped on its own. In addition, the independent choice of a strong pain reliever is fraught with serious side effects, additional complications, and treatment. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help during this period; if it is not possible to visit a neurologist, it is necessary to call an ambulance. Pain symptoms are well removed in a hospital, by intramuscular injection of analgesics and the simultaneous use of local anesthesia.
If osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is in the acute stage, the following rules of treatment should be observed:
- You need to stay in bed, unloading your spine as much as possible
- Medications to be taken should only be taken as prescribed by the doctor.
- You can go to physical therapy only with the doctor's permission.
- Diet needs to be adjusted
In the presence of a herniated disc, additional drug therapy is prescribed, in addition to wearing a corset. If the hernia is large, the only effective method of therapy will be to perform an operation, prescribed individually based on the diagnostic results.
Prevention
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine often appears in people of certain professions, so all those who, on the one hand, are involved in heavy work associated with weight lifting, on the other hand, are very inactive during the work process, should be aware your posture, periodically strengthen the muscles of the back and give useful motor activity to the vertebrae. Thus, preventing osteochondrosis involves performing physical exercises several times a day. Do not be superfluous and independent massage.
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 bones. The diet should minimize the amount of salty, sweet, spices, spicy, fried foods. Food must be chosen naturally, in which there are no preservatives and dyes. The priority is vegetables, fruits, cereals, lean meats and fish, dairy products. To speed up salt metabolism, adults should drink at least two liters of fluid a day. It is better to refuse alcohol and coffee. In addition, it is important to prevent the appearance of excess body weight, which increases the load on the vertebrae.
Another factor that helps prevent osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is healthy sleep. By "healthy" in this case, we mean the position the body is in. To minimize discomfort during sleep, it is best to use an individually selected orthopedic pillow and mattress.
Implementing these measures will help prevent the onset of symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis and avoid long-term treatment.