Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic-degenerative disease of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral joints, which leads to their destruction.The localization of osteochondrosis in the vertebrae of the chest is called thoracic osteochondrosis.Compared with osteochondrosis of another localization - cervical or lumbar - thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed less often, which is due to the anatomical features of the structure of the chest.It is a relatively static structure, in which the mobility of the spine itself is relatively low - accordingly, even with an active pathological process in the intervertebral discs, the probability of their injury is minimal.In the recent past, when diagnostic options were limited, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered the prerogative exclusively of elderly patients.Now it is detected not only at an early 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;
- disorders of blood supply to the spine;
- excessive or irrational physical load on the spine (during sports or due to heavy physical work);
- disorders of mineral metabolism in the body, deficiency of certain trace elements;
- sedentary lifestyle, sedentary professional activity;
- weakness of the back muscles, which leads to incorrect posture and irrational distribution of the load on the spine;
- injuries.
In addition, there are a number of factors that can provoke an exacerbation 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 chest 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 of internal organs, diseases of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract (pancreatitis, cholecystitis).The negative consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis can also spread to the urogenital system.The constant pain syndrome characteristic of osteochondrosis reduces the quality of life and can be "masked" as other diseases, which leads to incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
How is thoracic osteochondrosis manifested?
In case of thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms are quite characteristic:
- pain - occurs when a person is in one position for a long time, as well as during movements, lifting weights and physical activity.It is characterized by a dull, constant pain in the area of the shoulder blades, as well as pain when trying to raise the arms;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- a feeling of tightness in the chest, as a result of which deep breathing becomes difficult;
- reduced sensitivity certain areas of the skin;
- paresthesia - sensation of "creeping goosebumps" on the skin, burning, tingling;
- lowering the temperature certain areas of the skin;
- lowering the temperature leg skin, itching sensation burning sensation in them;
- digestive disorders.
There are two main types of pain syndrome accompanying osteochondrosis of the chest: dorsalgia (persistent pain in the area of the affected intervertebral cartilage) and dorsago (intense paroxysmal pain accompanied by muscle spasms and difficulty breathing).
Characteristic of the osteochondrosis of the chest is the so-called gastro syndrome - epigastric pain that is not related to food, time of day or year.
Degrees of thoracic osteochondrosis
In clinical practice, there are 4 degrees of osteochondrosis of the chest depending on the degree of cartilage damage and the involvement of the surrounding structures in the pathological process.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine 1 degree: the discs between the vertebrae lose their elasticity, become a little thinner, and local protrusions - protrusions - can 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, the pain begins to bother you, often accompanied by neurological symptoms: paresthesia, tingling of the skin.Fissures may appear on the annulus fibrosus 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 a complete loss of its cushioning properties between the spinal disc.Vertebral convergence becomes critical and bone tissue begins to deteriorate.Vessels and nerves are compressed in the spinal canals, resulting in permanent neurological symptoms, intense pain syndrome and circulatory disorders.
Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of "thoracic osteochondrosis" is made on the basis of an examination of the patient, his examination and research: radiography and nuclear magnetic resonance.X-ray examination helps to establish the localization of lesions of the spine, 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 chest are non-specific - the same signs can 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 real cause of which is thoracic osteochondrosis.That is why comprehensive diagnosis and the participation of related specialists - gastroenterologists, pulmonologists - for additional examination of the patient is very important.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: treatment
Considering the fact that the restoration of the destroyed cartilage tissue is impossible, the effective treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is possible only in the initial stages of the disease, while the cartilage has not yet lost its structure.That is why it is especially important to consult a doctor in time - when the first signs of pathology appear, discomfort in the back, slight pain, numbness or burning of the skin.
In the first stages of the disease, treatment is reduced to taking non-narcotic analgesics for pain relief and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process in the tissues and also eliminate pain.However, the main emphasis in the treatment of the initial stage of osteochondrosis of the chest is on the use of chondroprotectors.This is the name of a group of drugs designed to restore the normal metabolism in the cartilage tissue, which leads to the improvement of cartilage tissue trophism and slowing down its destruction.
As the pathological process progresses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve inflammation, as a rule, become insufficient, which forces the doctor to supplement the therapy with glucocorticosteroid drugs.In addition to the list of drugs, diuretics can be added to remove swelling at the roots of pinched spinal nerves and thus relieve the corresponding neurological symptoms and pain.The inclusion of antispasmodic drugs in the therapy allows to eliminate the muscle spasm that accompanies osteochondrosis of the chest.
With the development of the intervertebral hernia and the 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 the periods of exacerbation, physiotherapy gives 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 physiotherapy 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, all manipulations should be as gentle as possible, performed exclusively outside periods of exacerbation, so as not to provoke an exacerbation of the pathological process.
Therapeutic gymnastics 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 the mobility of the intervertebral joints, eliminate muscle spasm and eliminate stiffness of the spine.Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen the muscle corset, as well as increase the patient's physical mobility in general, which is an important factor in stimulating blood circulation and restoring pulmonary ventilation.
Before performing a set of special exercises, you should do a light general warm-up aimed at warming up the muscles or take a warm shower.A good warm-up before exercise helps to avoid injuries.All movements should be smooth;sharp bends and turns, which can aggravate spinal injuries, should be avoided.
Osteochondrosis of the chest 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 first signs of the disease, will help stop the pathological process and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.