Osteochondrosis is a deforming-degenerative disease of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral joints, leading to their destruction.Localization of osteochondrosis in the vertebrae of the thoracic spine is called thoracic osteochondrosis.In comparison with osteochondrosis of other localization – cervical or lumbar – thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed less often, which is due to the anatomical features of the structure of the chest.This is a relatively stable structure in which the mobility of the spine 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 capabilities were limited, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered the privilege of exclusively 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 should be highlighted:
- Deformities of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs – both hereditary and acquired due to various factors;
- Disorders of blood supply to the spinal cord;
- excessive or unreasonable physical stress on the spine (during sports or due to heavy physical exertion);
- Disorders of mineral metabolism in the body, deficiency of some microelements;
- Sedentary lifestyle, sedentary professional activity;
- Weakness of the back muscles, resulting in incorrect posture and illogical distribution of load on the spine;
- Injuries.
In addition, there are a number of factors that can provoke its aggravation during the chronic course of the disease:
- stroke;
- 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 in which significant pathological changes occur in the vertebrae and intervertebral joints.Accordingly, the first consequence of such a disease is the destruction of the structures forming the spinal cord.This may result in 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 "disguise" as other diseases, which causes misdiagnosis and treatment.
How is thoracic osteochondrosis manifested?
With thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms are quite specific:
- Pain - Occurs when a person remains in one position for a long time, as well as when moving, lifting heavy objects, and during physical activity.Characterized by dull, persistent pain in the area of the shoulder blades, as well as pain when trying to raise your arms;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- feeling of chest tightness, resulting in difficulty taking deep breaths;
- loss of sensitivity certain areas of the skin;
- paresthesia - feeling of "goosebumps" on the skin, burning, tingling;
- decrease in temperature certain areas on the skin;
- decrease in temperature leg skin, itching sensation, Burning In them;
- digestive disorders.
There are two main types of pain syndrome with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: dorsalgia (long-term pain in the area of the affected intervertebral cartilage) and dorsago (acute paroxysmal pain, accompanied by muscle cramps and difficulty breathing).
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by the so-called gastro syndrome - Epigastric pain is not associated with food, time of day or year.
degree 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 first degree: The discs between the vertebrae lose their elasticity, become somewhat thinner, and local bulges – bulges – may appear in the fibrous rings of the disc.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 2 degree: Thinning of the intervertebral discs increases, 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, third degree Corresponds to the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 4 degree It is characterized by a complete loss of its shock-absorbing properties between the vertebral discs.The convergence of the vertebrae becomes severe and the bone tissue begins to deteriorate.The vessels and nerves in the spinal canal become compressed, causing persistent neurological symptoms, acute pain syndrome, and circulatory disorders.
Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of "thoracic osteochondrosis" is made on the basis of survey of the patient, his examination and examination: radiography and magnetic resonance imaging.X-ray examination helps to establish the localization of spinal cord lesions, and magnetic resonance imaging helps to clarify the diagnosis and exclude the presence of benign and malignant neoplasms.
Many symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are not specific - the same symptoms may indicate other diseases.This explains the frequent errors in diagnosis, when, for example, a patient is treated for a long time for pancreatitis because of pain, the true cause of which is thoracic osteochondrosis.Therefore, comprehensive diagnosis and involvement of relevant specialists – gastroenterologist, pulmonologist – for additional examination of the patient is very important.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: treatment
Taking into account the fact that the restoration of the destroyed cartilage tissue is impossible, 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 manifestations of pathology, discomfort in the back, minor pain, numbness or skin irritation appear.
At the first stage of the disease, treatment consists of taking non-narcotic analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain, 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 chondroprotectors.This is the name of a group of drugs aimed at restoring normal metabolism in cartilage tissue, as a result of which the trophism of cartilage tissue is improved and its destruction is slowed down.
As the pathological process progresses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as a rule, become insufficient to relieve inflammation, which forces the doctor to supplement therapy with gluco-corticosteroid drugs.In addition, diuretics can be added to the list of medications to eliminate inflammation in the pinched spinal nerve roots and thus reduce the associated neurological symptoms and pain.The inclusion of antispasmodic drugs in therapy makes it possible to eliminate muscle spasms that occur with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
With the development of intervertebral hernia and destruction of the bone tissue of the vertebrae, conservative treatment loses its effectiveness;Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis is the only reasonable option.
Physiotherapy for thoracic osteochondrosis
Outside the period of exacerbation, physiotherapy brings good results.Effective methods for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region include:
- laser therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- Traction – both dry and wet;
- vacuum therapy;
- acupuncture;
- Pharmacopunctura.
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 manipulation should be as gentle as possible, especially carried out outside the period of exacerbation, so as not to aggravate the pathological process.
Therapeutic exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis
An important component of the complex treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is physical therapy (physical therapy). Exercises are aimed at restoring the mobility of intervertebral joints, eliminating muscle spasms and stiffness in the spine.Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen the muscle corset, as well as increase the physical mobility of the patient, 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 or take a warm shower aimed at warming up the muscles.A good warm-up before exercise helps avoid injury.All activities should be smooth;Sharp twists and turns should be avoided, which can aggravate spinal cord injuries.
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 to the doctor and competent comprehensive treatment, started from the first symptoms of the disease, will help stop the pathological process and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.