Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic degenerative disease of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral joints, leading to their destruction.The 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 breast structure.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 injury is minimal.In the recent past, when diagnostic options were limited, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered the prerogative of exclusively older patients.Now it is discovered 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;
- Disturbances in the blood supply to the spine;
- excessive or irrational physical stress on the spine (during sports or due to heavy physical work);
- Disturbances in mineral metabolism in the body, lack of certain microelements;
- sedentary lifestyle, sedentary professional activity;
- Weakness of the back muscles, leading to incorrect posture and irrational distribution of the load on the spine;
- Injuries.
In addition, there are a number of factors that can cause the disease to worsen in the 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 vertebrae and intervertebral joints.Accordingly, the first consequence of such a disease is the destruction of the structures that form the spine.The consequences of this can be scoliosis, diseases of the respiratory tract (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 genitourinary system.The persistent pain syndrome characteristic of osteochondrosis reduces the quality of life and can “mask” as other diseases, leading to incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
How does thoracic osteochondrosis manifest itself?
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 movement, heavy lifting and physical activity.Characterized by a dull, persistent pain in the shoulder blade area, as well as pain when trying to raise the arms;
- Intercostal neuralgia;
- Tightness in the chest, making deep breathing difficult;
- reduced sensitivity certain areas of skin;
- Paresthesia - Feeling of “crawling goosebumps” on the skin, burning, tingling;
- Temperature drop certain areas of the skin;
- Temperature drop foot skin, feeling of itching, burning feeling in them;
- Indigestion.
There are two main types of pain syndrome associated with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: dorsalgia (long-term pain in the area of the affected intervertebral cartilage) and dorsalgia (severe paroxysmal pain, accompanied by muscle spasms and difficulty breathing).
The so-called osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characteristic Gastro syndrome - Upper abdominal pain that is not related to 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, grade 1: The intervertebral discs between the vertebrae lose their elasticity, become slightly thinner and local protrusions - protrusions - may appear in the fibrous rings of the intervertebral discs.
Thoracic osteochondrosis grade 2: The thinning of the intervertebral discs progresses and the thoracic spine loses stability.At this stage, pain begins to bother, which is often accompanied by neurological symptoms: paresthesia, numbness of the skin.Cracks can occur in the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.
Third degree thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine corresponds to the development of an intervertebral fracture.
Breast osteochondrosis 4 degrees characterized by the complete loss of its shock-absorbing properties between the intervertebral discs.The convergence of the vertebrae becomes critical and the bone tissue begins to decompose.Vessels and nerves become trapped in the spinal canals, leading to persistent neurological symptoms, severe pain and circulatory problems.
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 determine 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 common diagnostic errors when, for example, a patient is treated for a long time for pain-related pancreatitis, the true cause of which is thoracic osteochondrosis.Therefore, comprehensive diagnostics and the involvement of related specialists - gastroenterologists, pulmonologists - for further examination of the patient are very important.
Breast osteochondrosis: treatment
Since it is impossible to restore the destroyed cartilage tissue, effective treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is possible only in the initial stages of the disease, as long as the cartilage has not yet lost its structure.Therefore, it is especially important to consult a doctor in a timely manner - when the first signs of pathology, back pain, mild pain, numbness or burning of the skin appear.
In the first stages of the disease, treatment consists in taking 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 emphasis in the treatment of the initial stage of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is on the use of hondroprotectors.This is the name of a group of drugs designed to restore normal metabolism in cartilage tissue, which leads to improved trophism of cartilage tissue and slowing down its destruction.
As the pathological process progresses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually no longer sufficient to relieve inflammation, which forces the doctor to supplement therapy with glucocorticosteroid drugs.In addition, diuretics can be added to the list of medications to eliminate swelling in the roots of pinched spinal nerves, thereby relieving the corresponding neurological symptoms and pain.By including antispasmodic drugs in therapy, muscle spasms associated with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be eliminated.
With the development of an intervertebral fracture and the destruction of the bone tissue of the vertebrae, conservative treatment loses its effectiveness;The only sensible 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 field therapy;
- Traction – both dry and wet;
- vacuum therapy;
- Acupuncture;
- farmakopuncture.
In addition, popular and effective physiotherapeutic methods for thoracic osteochondrosis include massage and manual therapy.Patients with thoracic osteochondrosis should attend preventive massage courses at least twice a year.At the same time, all manipulations should be as gentle as possible and 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 (physiotherapy). The purpose of the exercises is to restore mobility of the intervertebral joints, eliminate muscle spasms and eliminate stiffness of the spine.Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen the muscle corset and increase the patient's overall physical mobility, which is an important factor in stimulating blood circulation and restoring pulmonary ventilation.
Before performing a set of specific exercises, you should do a light general warm-up to warm up the muscles or take a warm shower.A good warm-up before exercise helps prevent injuries.All movements should be smooth;Sharp curves and turns that 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 of a doctor and competent comprehensive treatment, starting from the first signs of the disease, will help stop the pathological process and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.