Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic-degenerative disease of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral joints, which leads to their destruction.Localization of osteochondrosis in the vertebrae of the thoracic spine is called thoracic osteochondrosis.Compared to osteochondrosis of other locations - cervical or lumbar - thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed less often, which is due to the anatomical characteristics of the chest structure.It is a relatively static structure, in which the mobility of the spine itself is relatively low - therefore, even during an active pathological process in the intervertebral discs, the probability of their damage is minimal.In the recent past, when diagnostic possibilities were limited, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered exclusively the prerogative of elderly patients.Now it is discovered not only at a young age, but even in childhood.
Why does thoracic osteochondrosis develop?
The following should be noted among the causes of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- pathologies of the spine and intervertebral discs - both hereditary and acquired due to various factors;
- violation of the blood supply of the spinal column;
- excessive or irrational physical stress on the spine (during sports or due to heavy physical work);
- violation of mineral metabolism in the body, deficiency of certain microelements;
- Sedentary lifestyle, sedentary professional activity;
- Weakness of back muscles, resulting in incorrect posture and irrational distribution of load on the spine;
- injuries.
In addition, there are a number of factors that can cause 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 thoracic spine is a disease accompanied by significant pathological changes in the spine and intervertebral joints.Therefore, the first result of such a disease is the destruction of the structures that make up the spine.The result of this can be scoliosis, pathologies of the respiratory system (pneumonia, pneumosclerosis), blood circulation disorders of internal organs, diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract (pancreatitis, cholecystitis).The negative consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis can also spread to the urogenital system.The persistent pain syndrome characteristic of osteochondrosis reduces the quality of life and can "masquerade" as other diseases, leading to incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
How is thoracic osteochondrosis manifested?
The symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are quite typical:
- pain - Appears when a person stands for a long time in one position, as well as during movement, weight lifting and physical exertion.It is characterized by 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 chestas a result of which deep breathing becomes difficult;
- reduced sensitivity certain areas of the skin;
- paresthesia - sensation of "crawling" on the skin, burning, tingling;
- decrease in temperature certain areas on the skin;
- decrease in temperature foot skin itching sensation burning sensation in them;
- Digestive disorders.
There are two main types of pain syndrome accompanied by osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: dorsalgia (long-term pain in the area of the affected intervertebral cartilage) and dorsago (severe paroxysmal pain accompanied by muscle spasms and difficulty breathing).
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by the so-called Gastro syndrome - Epigastric pain that is not related to food, time of day or year.
Grades of thoracic osteochondrosis
In clinical practice, 4 degrees of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are distinguished, depending on the degree of cartilage damage and the involvement of surrounding structures in the pathological process.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, grade I: Between the vertebrae, the discs lose their elasticity, become somewhat thinner, and local protrusions may appear in the fibrous rings of the discs.
Chest osteochondrosis II degree: The thinning of the intervertebral discs progresses and the thoracic spine loses stability.At this stage, the pain begins to bother, which is often accompanied by neurological symptoms: paresthesia, numbness of the skin.Cracks can appear on the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine of the 3rd degree corresponds to the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
Chest osteochondrosis 4 degrees It is characterized by the complete loss of its shock-absorbing properties between the vertebral discs.Vertebral convergence becomes critical and bone tissue begins to deteriorate.Vessels and nerves in the spinal canal become pinched, causing persistent neurological symptoms, intense pain, and impaired circulation.
Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of "osteochondrosis of the chest" is made on the basis of the patient's survey, his examination and examination: radiography and magnetic resonance imaging.X-ray examination helps to determine the localization of spinal damage, 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 the diagnosis, when the patient, for example, is treated for a long time for pain due to pancreatitis, the real cause of which is osteochondrosis of the chest.Therefore, it is very important to have a comprehensive diagnosis and the involvement of specialists related to it - gastroenterologists, pulmonologists for additional examination of the patient.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: treatment
Given that the destroyed cartilage tissue cannot be restored, effective treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is possible only at the initial stage of the disease, while the cartilage has not yet lost its structure.Therefore, it is especially important to consult a doctor in time - when the first symptoms of pathology appear, back discomfort, slight pain, numbness or burning of the skin.
At the first stage of the disease, treatment consists of taking non-narcotic analgesics to relieve pain and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process in tissues and also eliminate pain.However, in the treatment of the initial stage of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the main emphasis is on the use of chondroprotectors.This is the name of a group of drugs designed to restore the normal metabolism of 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 usually become insufficient, which forces the doctor to supplement the therapy with glucocorticosteroid drugs.In addition, diuretics can be added to the list of medications to eliminate swelling in the roots of the pinched nerves in the back and thereby relieve the corresponding neurological symptoms and pain.The inclusion of antispasmodics in therapy makes it possible to eliminate muscle spasms accompanying osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
With the development of intervertebral hernia and the destruction of bone tissue of the spine, conservative treatment loses its effectiveness;The only reasonable alternative is surgical treatment of osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy in thoracic osteochondrosis
Outside of periods of exacerbation, physiotherapy brings good results.Effective methods for osteochondrosis of the chest 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, any manipulation should be as gentle as possible, carried out exclusively outside periods of exacerbation, so as not to provoke exacerbation of the pathological process.
Therapeutic exercise in thoracic osteochondrosis
An important component of the complex treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is physical therapy (physical therapy). The purpose of the exercises is to restore the mobility of the intervertebral joints, eliminate muscle spasms and strengthen the spine.Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen the muscle corset, as well as increase the patient's physical mobility as a whole, which is an important factor for stimulating blood circulation and restoring lung 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 can help prevent injury.All movements should be smooth;Sharp bends and twists should be avoided, which can aggravate the damage to the spine.
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 first signs of the disease, will help stop the pathological process and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.