Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic-degenerative disease of the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral joints, leading to its destruction.The location of osteochondrosis in the vertebrae of the thoracic spine is called thoracic osteochondrosis.Compared to osteochondrosis of another 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 in which the mobility of the spine itself is relatively low - therefore, even with an active pathological process in the intervertebral discs, the probability of injury is minimal.In the recent past, when diagnostic capabilities were limited, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered the prerogative exclusively of elderly patients.Now it is detected not only at a young age, but also in childhood.
Why does thoracic osteochondrosis develop?
Among the causes of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following stand out:
- 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 unreasonable physical stress on the spine (during sports or due to heavy physical work);
- disorders of the body's mineral metabolism, deficiency 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;
- injuries.
Furthermore, there are a number of factors that can provoke an exacerbation of the disease during its chronic course:
- trauma;
- stress, excessive nervous tension;
- body hypothermia - 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.Thus, the first consequence of this 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 gastrointestinal tract (pancreatitis, cholecystitis).The negative consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis can also extend to the urogenital system.Persistent pain syndrome, characteristic of osteochondrosis, reduces quality of life and can “masquerade” as other diseases, which leads to incorrect diagnoses and treatments.
How does thoracic osteochondrosis manifest?
In thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms are quite characteristic:
- pain - occurs when a person stays in the same position for a long time, as well as during movements, lifting weights and physical activity.Characterized by dull and constant pain in the shoulder blade region, as well as pain when trying to lift the arms;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- feeling of tightness in the chest, which makes it difficult to breathe deeply;
- decreased sensitivity certain areas of the skin;
- paresthesia - sensation of “goosebumps” on the skin, burning, tingling;
- decrease in temperature certain areas of the skin;
- decrease 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 (prolonged pain in the area of the affected intervertebral cartilage) and dorsago (severe 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 damage to the cartilage and the 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 on the fibrous rings of the discs.
2nd degree thoracic osteochondrosis: 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, numbness in the skin.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 disc.The convergence of the vertebrae becomes critical and the bone tissue begins to deteriorate.Vessels and nerves are compressed in the spinal canals, 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 surveying the patient, his examination and examination: x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging.Radiographic examination helps to establish the location of spinal cord lesions, and MRI 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 nonspecific - the same signs may indicate other diseases.This explains quite frequent misdiagnosis 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 diagnosis and involvement of related specialists - gastroenterologists, pulmonologists - for further examination of the patient is very important.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: treatment
Given that the restoration of destroyed cartilaginous 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 first manifestations of pathology appear, discomfort in the back, minor pain, numbness or burning of the skin.
In the early stages of the disease, treatment comes down to the use of non-narcotic analgesics to relieve pain 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 thoracic spine is on the use of chondroprotektorov.This is the name of a group of drugs aimed at restoring the normal metabolism of cartilaginous tissue, resulting in an improvement in the trophism of cartilaginous tissue and a slowdown in 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 therapy with glucocorticosteroids.Additionally, diuretics can be added to the medication list to eliminate swelling in the roots of compressed spinal nerves and thus alleviate the corresponding neurological symptoms and pain.The inclusion of antispasmodics in therapy allows you to eliminate muscle spasm that accompanies 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 brings good results.Effective methods for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region include:
- laser therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- traction - dry and wet;
- vacuum therapy;
- acupuncture;
- farmakopunktura.
Also, 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 manipulations should be as gentle as possible, carried out exclusively outside periods of exacerbation, so as not to provoke an exacerbation of the pathological process.
Therapeutic exercise for thoracic osteochondrosis
An important component of the complex treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is physiotherapy (physiotherapy). The purpose of the exercises is to restore mobility to the intervertebral joints, eliminate muscle spasm and eliminate stiffness in the spine.Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen the muscular 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 pulmonary ventilation.
Before performing a series of special exercises, you should do a light general warm-up with the aim of warming up your muscles or take a hot shower.A good warm-up before exercise helps prevent injuries.All movements must be smooth;Sharp bends and curves, 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 comprehensive, competent treatment, started from the first signs of the disease, will help stop the pathological process and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.