Osteochondrosis is a distrofichesko-degenerative disease of the cartilage tissue of intervertebral joints, leading to their destruction.Localization of osteochondrosis in the vertebrae of the thoracic spine is called thoracic osteochondrosis.Compared with osteochondrosis of other 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 - accordingly, even with an active pathological process in the intervertebral discs, the likelihood of their injury is minimal.In the recent past, when diagnostic capabilities were limited, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered the prerogative of exclusively 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 the vertebrae and intervertebral discs - both hereditary and acquired due to various factors;
- disorders of the blood supply to the spinal column;
- excessive or irrational physical stress on the spine (during sports or due to heavy physical work);
- disorders of mineral metabolism in the body, 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.
In addition, there are a number of factors that can provoke an exacerbation of the disease during its chronic course:
- injury;
- 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 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 gastrointestinal tract (pancreatitis, cholecystitis).The negative consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis can also extend to the urogenital system.Persistent pain syndrome, characteristic of osteochondrosis, reduces the quality of life and can “masquerade” as other diseases, which causes incorrect diagnoses and treatment.
How does thoracic osteochondrosis manifest?
With 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, heavy lifting, and physical activity.Characterized by a dull, constant pain in the area of the shoulder blades, as well as pain when trying to raise your arms;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- feeling of tightness in the chest, as a result of which deep breathing becomes difficult;
- decreased sensitivity certain areas of the skin;
- paresthesia - feeling of “crawling goosebumps” 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 accompanying osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: dorsalgiyu (long-term pain in the area of the affected intervertebral cartilage) 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 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 cartilage damage 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 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, pain begins to bother you, often accompanied by neurological symptoms: paresthesia, numbness of the skin.Cracks may appear on 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 bone tissue begins to deteriorate.Vessels and nerves are pinched in the spinal canals, which leads to persistent neurological symptoms, intense pain syndrome, and circulatory disorders.
Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of “thoracic osteochondrosis” is made on the basis of a survey of the patient, his 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 nonspecific - the same signs may 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 true cause of which is thoracic osteochondrosis.Therefore, comprehensive diagnostics and the involvement of related specialists - gastroenterologists, pulmonologists - for additional examination of the patient are very important.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: treatment
Considering the fact that restoration of destroyed cartilage 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 very first manifestations of pathology, back discomfort, minor pain, numbness or burning of the skin appear.
In the first stages of the disease, treatment comes down to taking non-narcotic analgesics to relieve pain and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process in 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 hondroprotektorov.This is the name of a group of drugs intended to restore normal metabolism in cartilage tissue, resulting in improved trophism of cartilage tissue and slowdown of 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 gluco-corticosteroid drugs.In addition, diuretics can be added to the list of medications to eliminate swelling in the roots of pinched spinal nerves and thereby alleviate the corresponding neurological symptoms and pain.The inclusion of antispasmodic drugs in therapy makes it possible to eliminate the 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 periods of exacerbation, physiotherapy brings good results.Methods effective for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region include:
- laser therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- traction - both dry and wet;
- vacuum therapy;
- acupuncture;
- farmakopunktura.
In addition, 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 physical therapy (physical therapy). The purpose of the exercises is to restore the mobility of the intervertebral joints, eliminate muscle spasm, and eliminate stiffness in the spine.Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen the muscle 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 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 avoid injury.All movements should be smooth; sharp bends and turns, 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, started from the first signs of the disease, will help stop the pathological process and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.