Osteochondrosis is called Distroficheesko-depth 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.Compared to osteochondrosis of other localization - cervical or lumbar - chest osteochondrosis is less commonly diagnosed with anatomical characteristics of the structure of the chest.It is a relatively static structure in which the mobility of the spine itself is relatively small - respectively, even with an active pathological process in the intervertebral discs, the probability of their injury is minimal.In the recent past, when the diagnostic capabilities were limited, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered the prerogative of exclusively elderly patients.Now it is identified not only in young, but even in childhood.
Why is thoracic osteochondrosis developing?
Among the causes of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following should be distinguished:
- pathology of vertebrae and intervertebral discs - both hereditary and acquired as a result of various factors;
- violations of blood supply to the spinal column;
- Excessive or irrational physical activity on the spine (when playing sports or due to hard physical work);
- violations of mineral metabolism in the body, deficiency of some trace elements;
- sedentary lifestyle, sedentary professional activity;
- weakness of the back muscles, which resulted in improper 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 in its chronic course:
- injury;
- stress, excessive nervous tension;
- hypothermia of the body - both general and local hypothermia of the muscles of the back;
- Physical overwork.
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 structures that form the spine.The result of this may be scoliosis, pathology of the respiratory system (pneumonia, pneumosclerosis), impaired blood circulation of internal organs, diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract (pancreatitis, cholecystitis).The negative consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis can also apply to the lesson system.Persistent pain syndrome, characteristic of osteochondrosis, reduces the quality of life and can “disguise” for other diseases, which causes improper diagnoses and treatment.
How is thoracic osteochondrosis manifested?
With thoracic osteochondrosis, symptoms are quite characteristic:
- pain - It occurs when a person is in one position for a long time, as well as with movements, lifting weights, physical exertion.Dull constant pain in the area of the shoulder blades is characteristic, as well as the pain when trying to raise your hands;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- Feeling in the chest, as a result of which deep breathing becomes difficult;
- Sensitivity decrease certain areas of the skin;
- Paresthesia - a feeling of "crawling goosebumps" on the skin, burning, tingling;
- temperature decrease certain zones on the skin;
- temperature decrease leg leather, Sensation of itching burning in them;
- Digestive disorders.
Two basic types of pain accompanying osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: Dorsalgiyu (prolonged pain in the area of affected intervertebral cartilage) and Dorsago (intense paroxysmal pain accompanied by muscle spasm and breathing difficulties) are distinguished.
The so -called so -called osteochondrosis is characteristic of osteochondrosis Gastro syndrome - Pain in the epigastria, not related to meals, time of day or year.
Degree of thoracic osteochondrosis
In clinical practice, 4 degrees of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are distinguished, depending on the degree of damage to the cartilage and involvement in the pathological process of surrounding structures.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine of the 1st degree: The discs between the vertebrae lose their elasticity, somewhat thinned out, local protrusions - protrusion may appear in the fibrous rings of the disks.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree: The thinning of the intervertebral discs progresses, the thoracic spine loses stability.At this stage, pain begins to bother, often neurological symptoms join it: paresthesia, numbness of the skin.Cracks may appear on the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine of 3 degrees corresponds to the formation of intervertebral hernia.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 4 degrees It is characterized by a complete loss between the vertebrate disk of its depreciation properties.The lapping of the vertebrae becomes critical, bone tissue begins to collapse.In the canals of the spine, blood vessels and nerves are infringed, which leads to persistent neurological symptoms, intensive Bolevomu syndrome, 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.An X-ray study helps to establish the localization of the lesion of the spine, and magnetic resonance imaging is to clarify the diagnosis, to exclude the presence of benign and malignant neoplasms.
A number of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are non -specific - the same signs may indicate other diseases.This explains quite frequent errors in the diagnosis, when the patient, for example, is treated for a long time for pancreatitis due to pain, the true cause of which is breast osteochondrosis.Therefore, comprehensive diagnostics, attracting adjacent specialists - gastroenterologists, pulmonologists - for additional examination of the patient are very important.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: treatment
Given the fact that the restoration of the destroyed cartilage is impossible, the effective treatment of breast osteochondrosis is possible only in the initial stages of the disease, until the cartilage has yet lost its structure.Therefore, it is especially important to consult a doctor in a timely manner - when the very first manifestations of pathology, discomfort in the back, insignificant pain, numbness of skin areas or its burning sensation appeared.
At the first stages of the disease, treatment comes down to taking non -narcotic analgesics, allowing the pain and non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs that 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 made to receive Hondroproprotektorov.This is the name of a group of drugs intended to restore normal metabolism in cartilage tissue, which result in an improvement in cartilage trophism and a slowdown in its destruction.
With the progression of the pathological process of non -steroidal anti -inflammatory agents to relieve inflammation, as a rule, it becomes not enough, which forces the doctor to supplement the glucose of cortico with steroid drugs.In addition, diuretics can be added to the list of medicines that allow eliminating swelling in the roots of infringed spinal nerves and thereby relieve appropriate neurological symptoms and pain.The inclusion of antispasmodic drugs in the therapy allows to eliminate muscle spasm, which accompanies osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
With the development of intervertebral hernia and the destruction of bone tissue of the vertebrae, conservative treatment loses its effectiveness, the only reasonable alternative is surgical treatment of osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy for breast osteochondrosis
Outside of the exacerbation periods, physiotherapy brings good results.Methods effective in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region include:
- laser therapy;
- magnetotherapy;
- Extension - both dry and wet;
- vacuum therapy;
- acupuncture;
- Farmakopunktura.
In addition, massage and manual therapy include popular and effective physiotherapeutic methods for breast osteochondrosis.Preventive massage courses for patients with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region need to undergo at least twice a year.At the same time, any manipulations should be as sparing as possible, exclusively outside the exacerbation periods, so as not to provoke an exacerbation of the pathological process.
Media physical education for thoracic osteochondrosis
An important component of the complex treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is therapeutic physical education (exercise therapy). The task of exercises is to restore the mobility of the intervertebral joints, eliminate muscle spasm, eliminate stiffness in the spine.LFK 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 blood circulation stimulation, restoration of pulmonary ventilation.
Before performing a complex of special exercises, you should carry out a slight general warm -up, aimed at warming up muscles or take a warm shower.High -quality heating before classes avoids injuries.All movements should be smooth, it is necessary to avoid sharp inclinations and turns that can aggravate damage to the spine.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a chronic disease that significantly reduces the quality of the patient’s life, dangerous of his complications.Timely address to the doctor and competent complex treatment, begun with the first signs of the disease, will help stop the pathological process and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.