Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic degenerative disease of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral joints, leading to its destruction.Localization of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is called thoracic osteochondrosis.Compared with osteochondrosis of other localization - cervical or lumbar - thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed less often, due to the anatomical features of the chest structures.This is a relatively static structure in which the mobility of the spine itself is relatively low - therefore, even with active pathological processes in the intervertebral discs, the likelihood of injury is minimal.In the past, when diagnostic capabilities were limited, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered the prerogative of elderly patients alone.Now this disease 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:
- pathology of the spine and intervertebral discs - both hereditary and acquired due to various factors;
- impaired blood supply to the spine;
- excessive or irrational physical stress on the spine (during exercise or due to hard 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 load on the spine;
- injury.
In addition, there are a number of factors that can trigger an exacerbation of the disease during its chronic course:
- trauma;
- stress, nervous overstrain;
- 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 spine and intervertebral joints.Therefore, the first consequence of such a disease is the destruction of the structures that form the spine.The consequence of this can be scoliosis, pathology 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 genitourinary system.Persistent pain syndrome, a characteristic feature of osteochondrosis, reduces the quality of life and can “disguise” itself as another disease, leading to incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
How does thoracic osteochondrosis manifest?
With thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms are quite typical:
- 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 area of the shoulder blade, as well as pain when trying to raise the arm;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- feeling of tightness in the chest, as a result of which deep breathing becomes difficult;
- decreased sensitivity certain skin areas;
- paresthesia - feeling of “crawling” on the skin, burning, tingling;
- temperature drop certain areas of the skin;
- temperature drop foot skin, itching sensation, burning sensation inside it;
- indigestion.
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).
A characteristic feature of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is the so-called gastro syndrome - epigastric pain that is not related to food, 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 discs between the vertebrae lose their elasticity, become rather thin, and local protrusions - bulges - may appear in the fibrous rings of the discs.
Thoracic osteochondrosis grade 2: 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 in the fibrous rings of the intervertebral discs.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine, grade 3 corresponds to the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 4 degrees characterized by loss of shock-absorbing properties between the spinal discs.The convergence of the vertebrae becomes critical, and bone tissue begins to break down.Blood vessels and nerves are pinched in the spinal canal, which causes persistent neurological symptoms, severe 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 determine the localization of spinal lesions, and magnetic resonance imaging helps 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 the misdiagnosis that occurs quite often when a patient, for example, is treated for a long time for pancreatitis due to pain, the real cause of which is thoracic osteochondrosis.Therefore, comprehensive diagnosis and involvement of related specialists - gastroenterologists, pulmonologists - for additional examination of the patient is extremely important.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: treatment
Considering the fact that restoration of damaged cartilage tissue is impossible, effective treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is possible only in the early stages of the disease, while the cartilage has not yet lost its structure.Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor in time - when the first manifestations of pathology appear, back discomfort, mild pain, numbness or burning of the skin.
At the first stage of the disease, treatment is carried out by 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 main emphasis in the treatment of the initial stages of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is on the use of hondroprotectors.This is the name of a group of drugs intended to restore normal metabolism in cartilage tissue, thereby improving the trophism of cartilage tissue and slowing down its destruction.
As the pathological process progresses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve inflammation, as a rule, become insufficient, which forces doctors to supplement therapy with glucocorticosteroid drugs.In addition, diuretics can be added to the list of medications to relieve swelling of the pinched spinal nerve roots and thereby reduce the associated neurological symptoms and pain.The inclusion of antispasmodic drugs in therapy makes it possible to eliminate muscle spasms accompanying osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
With the development of intervertebral hernia and destruction of vertebral bone tissue, conservative treatment loses its effectiveness;the only reasonable alternative is surgical treatment of osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy for thoracic osteochondrosis
Outside of periods of exacerbation, physiotherapy gives good results.Effective methods for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region include:
- laser therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- traction - 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 carried out as gently as possible, carried out exclusively outside the period of exacerbation, so as not to provoke an exacerbation of the pathological process.
Therapeutic exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis
An important component of the complex treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is physical therapy (physiotherapy). The purpose of these exercises is to restore mobility of the intervertebral joints, eliminate muscle spasms, and eliminate stiffness in the spine.Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen the muscle corset, as well as increase the patient's overall physical mobility, which is an important factor in stimulating blood circulation and restoring pulmonary ventilation.
Before doing a series of special exercises, it is best to do a light general warm-up aimed at warming up the muscles or take a warm shower.Warming up well before exercising helps avoid injury.All movements must be smooth;Sharp twists 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, starting from the first signs of the disease, will help stop the pathological process and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.