Osteochondrosis is a dystrophichesko-degenerative disease of intervertebral joint cartilage tissue, which leads to their destruction.Localization of osteochondrosis in the vertebrae of the thoracic spine is called thoracic osteochondrosis.Compared to osteochondrosis of other localization - cervical or lumbar - thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed less often, which is due to the anatomical features of the chest structure.It is a relatively static structure in which the mobility of the spine itself is relatively low - accordingly, even with active pathological processes in the intervertebral discs, the possibility of their injury is minimal.In the recent past, when diagnostic capabilities were limited, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered exclusively the prerogative of 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 vertebrae and intervertebral discs - both hereditary and acquired due to various factors;
- disruption of blood supply to the spinal column;
- excessive or irrational physical pressure on the spine (during sports or due to heavy physical work);
- disorders of mineral metabolism in the body, lack of certain microelements;
- inactive lifestyle, inactive professional activity;
- weakness of the back muscles, resulting in incorrect posture and irrational load distribution on the spine;
- injury.
In addition, there are several factors that can trigger the exacerbation of the disease during its chronic course:
- trauma;
- stress, excessive nervous tension;
- body hypothermia - 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.Therefore, the first consequence of such a disease is the destruction of the structures that make up the spine.The result can be scoliosis, pathology of the respiratory system (pneumonia, pneumosclerosis), circulatory 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.Constant pain syndrome, characteristic of osteochondrosis, reduces the quality of life and can "disguise" as another disease, which leads to incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
How is thoracic osteochondrosis manifested?
With thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms are quite characteristic:
- ill - occurs when a person is in one position for a long time, as well as during movement, lifting weights, and physical activity.Characterized by a dull and constant pain in the shoulder blade area, as well as pain when trying to raise your arms;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- tightness in the chest, as a result deep breathing becomes difficult;
- sensitivity decreases specific areas of the skin;
- paresthesia - feeling of "crawling" on the skin, burning, tingling;
- temperature drop specific areas of the skin;
- temperature drop foot skin, itching, burning sensation in it;
- indigestion.
There are two main types of pain syndromes that accompany osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: dorsalgiyu (long-term pain in the affected intervertebral cartilage area) 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 not associated with food, time of day or year.
Stages of thoracic osteochondrosis
In clinical practice, there are 4 degrees 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 disc between the vertebrae loses its elasticity, becomes relatively thin, and local protrusions - protrusions - may appear in the fibrous ring of the disc.
Thoracic osteochondrosis grade 2: Thinning of the intervertebral disc develops, and the thoracic spine loses stability.At this stage, pain begins to bother you, often accompanied by neurological symptoms: paresthesia, skin numbness.Cracks may appear in 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 the complete loss of its shock-absorbing properties between the vertebral discs.Vertebral convergence becomes critical, and bone tissue begins to degenerate.Blood vessels and nerves are pinched in the spinal canal, which leads to persistent neurological symptoms, severe pain syndrome, and circulatory disorders.
Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of "thoracic osteochondrosis" is made on the basis of the patient's survey, 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 not specific - the same signs may indicate other diseases.This explains the relatively frequent errors in diagnosis when patients, for example, are 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 relevant specialists - gastroenterologists, pulmonologists - for additional examination of the patient are very important.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: treatment
Given the fact that the restoration of destroyed cartilage tissue is impossible, effective treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is possible only in the early stages of the disease, while the cartilage has not yet lost its structure.Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor in time - when the first manifestations of pathology, back discomfort, minor pain, numbness or burning of the skin appear.
In the first stage of the disease, treatment comes to taking non-narcotic analgesics to relieve pain and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process in the tissue and also eliminate pain.However, the main emphasis in the treatment of early stage osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is on the use of hondroprotektorov.This is the name of a group of drugs that aim to restore normal metabolism in cartilage tissue, resulting in increased trophism of cartilage tissue and delaying its destruction.
When the pathological process progresses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve inflammation, as a rule, become insufficient, which forces doctors to supplement therapy with gluco-corticosteroid drugs.In addition, diuretics can be added to the list of drugs to eliminate the swelling of the pinched spinal nerve roots and thereby reduce the corresponding neurological symptoms and pain.The inclusion of antispasmodic drugs in therapy makes it possible to eliminate muscle spasms that accompany osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
With the development of intervertebral hernia and destruction of vertebral bone tissue, 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.Effective methods 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 a preventive massage course at least twice a year.At the same time, any manipulation should be as gentle as possible, carried out exclusively outside the period of exacerbation, so as not to provoke an exacerbation of the pathological process.
Therapeutic exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis
An important component in the complex treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is physical therapy (physical therapy). The purpose of the exercise is to restore the mobility of the intervertebral joints, eliminate muscle spasms, and eliminate stiffness in the spine.Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen the muscle corset, as well as improve the patient's overall physical mobility, which is an important factor in stimulating blood circulation and restoring lung ventilation.
Before doing a set of special exercises, you should do a light general warm-up aimed at warming up the muscles or take a warm bath.A good warm-up before exercise helps prevent injury.All movements should be smooth;Sharp turns and bends, 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 initial signs of the disease, will help stop the pathological process and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.