How do you recognize and treat thoracic osteochondrosis?

Breast osteochondrosis is rare but can cause many complications. It is important to have a thorough diagnosis in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Treatment should be timely and comprehensive. Preventive measures will help prevent the development of such a disease.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a degenerative disorder of the cartilage structures. Without timely and competent treatment, osteochondrosis can cause various complications, and therefore it cannot be ignored. Preventive measures will help avoid such a pathology.

General characteristics of the disease

Osteochondrosis is a fairly common musculoskeletal lesion, but rarely affects the chest region compared to other parts of the spine. This is due to the fact that this part of the spine is the least mobile and therefore less exposed to stress.

This function is the danger of the disease - its symptoms are less pronounced, so patients with advanced osteochondrosis go to the doctor.

The disease is characterized by the development of degenerative and dystrophic processes. They cause pathological changes in bone and cartilage tissue. Left untreated, the pathology changes the structure of the ligaments, intervertebral discs and joints, thereby destroying them.

With the development of osteochondrosis, the bone structures are first affected, then the pathological process spreads to cartilaginous structures, muscles and connective tissue. At a young age, such pathological changes lead to premature aging of the body.

Classification

The pathology is characterized by a gradual progression. Hence, there are four stages (degrees), each of which is characterized by specific clinical manifestations and complications:

1. In the first phase, the intervertebral disc is usually torn, which can lead to excessive stress or sudden movements.
2. In the second stage, the protrusion of the intervertebral discs is observed. In this case, the intervertebral disc bulges into the intervertebral canal - the protrusion is usually no more than half a centimeter. At this stage, spinal instability develops.
3. The third stage of osteochondrosis is characterized by an increase in the intensity of clinical manifestations and is often accompanied by an intervertebral hernia.
4. The fourth stage of the disease is called the most serious and dangerous. At this stage, osteophytes appear. Their proliferation creates pressure on the spinal cord and nerve endings.

reasons

Osteochondrosis can develop at any age. The risk of its occurrence is not related to gender.

The disease often develops against the background of the following factors:

• Age - people who have passed the 40-year mark are at risk.
• various pathologies of the spine, including the curvature of the spine;
• hereditary predisposition;
• trauma that leads to damage to the intervertebral discs;
• chronic stress;
• hypothermia;
• hormonal imbalance, material metabolism;
• impaired blood flow in the chest area;
• Features of professional activity that place greater stress on the chest region.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

The disease can have various symptoms and is sometimes atypical. Most often, the pathology is expressed by the following characters:

• pain. This symptom is the main symptom. Painful sensations usually occur when the body is in one position for a long time, physical exertion, lifting weights. As the pathology progresses, pain can be observed even at rest, aggravated by any movement. It can be boring or painful.
• Crush in the middle of the back. In this case, it is more difficult for a person to breathe. Pain is felt when inhaling or exhaling.
• Parts of the body become numb.
• You may get chills and goose bumps.
• The local temperature in the legs decreases.
• Itching and burning sensation can occur in the lower extremities.
• If the pathology adversely affects the cardiovascular system and leads to malfunction, it may be accompanied by peeling of the skin, thinning of the nail plates and increased fragility of the nails.
• As osteochondrosis progresses, the work of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted, which can lead to a whole range of symptoms: nausea, heartburn, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, painful sensations in the abdomen.

Pain is one of the main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis, but it can manifest itself in very different ways. In some cases, dorsalgia is observed - painful sensations appear in the affected area and last for a long time. In other cases, dorsago appears - the pain manifests itself intensely and sharply, occurs in paroxysms, restricts muscles and disrupts breathing.

The clinical picture of osteochondrosis largely depends on its stage:

1. In the first stage of the disease, a disc rupture is usually observed. This phenomenon manifests itself in severe pain and muscle tension. The sensations are reminiscent of the effect of an electric current, the discharge of which seems to run along the spine.
2. In the second stage, a protrusion can be observed, which is accompanied by pain in the chest area, which can also affect the internal organs.
3. In the third stage of the pathology, pain is more common. It becomes more difficult for the patient to breathe and a headache occurs. The disease can easily disrupt the work of the heart.
4. In the fourth stage, due to the compression of the nerve roots, intercostal neuralgia can develop. In this case, there is a sharp pain in the chest. At first it only affects one area, but then spreads over the chest. This makes breathing difficult. Sometimes the patient cannot change the position of the body, the pain during various movements increases several times, it can be unbearable. The pupils may dilate due to severe pain.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest region usually increase at night, which is associated with a long stay of the body in a horizontal position. Symptoms become less intense or go away after you wake up, but sudden movements or low body temperature can make them worse.

Atypical manifestations of breast osteochondrosis include the following symptoms:

• Painful sensations in the area of ​​the heart. Such a manifestation raises the suspicion of a heart attack or angina pectoris. Sometimes this symptom lasts for several weeks.
• Concentration of pain in the abdomen, which leads to severe discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract. This symptom increases with physical activity.
• Sharp spastic pain in the upper abdomen. This symptom is characteristic of gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis.
• In women, the worsening of the disease can cause a pulling pain in the mammary glands. In this case, a malignant neoplasm is suspected.
• Injury to the genitourinary organs.
• If pathological changes are concentrated in the upper part of the chest region, pain can affect the esophagus or pharynx. Patients in this case complain of the feeling of a foreign body in the throat.

Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. Breast osteochondrosis is accompanied by many symptoms that are also characteristic of other pathologies. A qualified specialist can understand all the nuances of the clinical picture.

Diagnosis

The doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis at the stage of the initial examination of the patient. Usually a neurologist deals with the problem of osteochondrosis. The doctor examines the spine in different body positions.

To confirm the diagnosis and identify the features of the pathology, resort to instrumental diagnostics. The basic study is X-ray.

In addition, the following measures can be applied:

• computed tomography;
• magnetic resonance imaging;
• scintigraphy;
• discography;
• electromyography.

You also use laboratory diagnostics. It can consist of general and biochemical blood and urine tests. Such studies are carried out for the purpose of differential diagnosis, revealing the features of the pathology and associated complications.

The diagnosis is necessary not only to confirm the diagnosis, but also to distinguish osteochondrosis from other pathologies. Due to its atypical course, the clinical picture may resemble other pathologies, possibly not even associated with the thoracic region.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

The disease requires complex treatment. It includes not only the use of drugs, but also various methods of physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises, massages.

Bed rest is required during an exacerbation of the disease. Mobility should be restricted as much as possible. Often times, the pain syndrome is so severe that the patient calls an ambulance. In this case, treatment takes place in a hospital.

Restrict movement during treatment. When bed rest is no longer needed, you can run, but long walks are prohibited. Walking should be alternated with calm. You shouldn't sit in one position for long either.

When the disease has progressed, they resort to traction. This technique involves stretching the spine. In this way, you can increase the distance between the vertebrae, reduce the size of the intervertebral hernia, and activate the nutrition of the intervertebral discs.

drug therapy

Various drugs for chest osteochondrosis are used to relieve pain, muscle tension and improve blood supply. For this purpose, the following drugs can be prescribed:

• Drug therapy is usually based on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve pain and eliminate inflammation. Such drugs are prescribed in the form of ointments and gels for external use, tablets and capsules for oral administration, solution for injection. Therapy may involve the simultaneous use of several types of drugs from the same group. The therapeutic course usually lasts 1-2 weeks.
• Use glucocorticosteroids for severe pain. Usually drugs are used for intramuscular injections or applications through physiotherapy.
• Analgesics are also used for severe pain.
• If the pain is unbearable, they resort to drug blockades. Blockages are carried out in a hospital strictly according to indications.
• Topical irritants can help relieve pain. They can be based on natural ingredients - paprika extract, bee or snake venom.
• To restore blood circulation in the affected area, intramuscular injections of nicotinic acid are prescribed.
• Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle tension.
• After the exacerbation of the disease has ended, drugs are often prescribed to activate metabolic processes and restore cartilage structures. This effect is achieved with chondroprotectors. These drugs involve a long therapeutic course that lasts for several months.

Only a doctor can prescribe the necessary medication in individual cases. It is necessary to determine the duration and scheme of taking each drug, taking into account the tolerability of various drugs.

Physiotherapy and massage

Thoracic osteochondrosis allows you to get rid of pain and restore mobility using physiotherapeutic methods. The doctor may prescribe the following treatments:

• electrophoresis or phonophoresis with drugs, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs;
• magnetic field therapy;
• darsonvalization;
• paraffin wax applications;
• ozokeritotherapy;
• balneotherapy;
• ultrasound;
• mud therapy;
• UHF therapy.

Particular attention should be paid to massage for breast osteochondrosis. In the treatment of such a pathology, the following techniques may be involved:

• Classic.In this case, the massage consists of light stroking, kneading, pinching and rubbing. Such treatment should go without saying. A course can contain up to 15 sessions, each lasting no more than 20 minutes.
• Spot.The impact can be on painful or acupuncture points. The movements are performed with the fingertips in a circle with a gradual increase in the pressure force.
• Potted.By using cans, you can create a vacuum that increases blood flow and lymphatic drainage. The cupping massage increases muscle tone, eliminates pathological reflexes and accelerates the microcirculation of various body fluids.
• Segmental.This massage is performed to improve the blood supply to the affected area, stimulate lymphatic drainage, and oxygenate the tissues.

Remedial gymnastics

Physiotherapy exercises have an excellent effect on osteochondrosis of the chest. It should be done under the supervision of a specialist, but some exercises can be done at home:

• Warm up before doing therapeutic exercises. To do this, you can take a shower and warm up a little. It consists of waving hands, rotations, body twists.
• Lie on the floor, on your stomach. Put both hands behind your head while spreading your elbows wide. Slowly raise your shoulders and body. Pull up your right elbow first, then your left. Do 5 reps.
• In the same starting position, place your hands behind your back and grasp the lock. Lift your torso and raise your arms without opening them. In extreme cases, you will have to linger for a few seconds and easily return to the original position.
• Get on the floor and put your hands behind your shoulders. Alternately, lift your shoulders and move your head in the same direction.
• Lie on a hard surface, on your stomach. Extend your arms forward as you lift your body. Do several repetitions, then do the same body raises, but with your arms extended along your body.
• Sit on a chair and put both hands on your belt. Move the shoulder girdle, gently lifting and lowering it to its original position. In extreme cases, you have to linger a few seconds. Do 5 reps.
• This exercise should be performed with a gymnastics stick. It is necessary to sit down and raise your arms while inhaling and holding a stick in it. On the exhale, return to the starting position and tilt your body forward.
• Get on the floor and place your hands over your shoulders with an exercise stick. Then tilt the body left and right. This exercise is contraindicated in scoliosis.
• Sit in a chair with a backrest, lean on it and lean back.

All exercises should be performed smoothly and slowly. Abrupt movements are excluded. If an exercise is painful, stop and take a rest. If the pain persists, the exercise should be stopped and a doctor should be consulted.

prognosis, complications

Subject to timely detection and competent treatment of the breast osteochondrosis, the prognosis is favorable. If the disease is neglected, life expectancy will decrease by about 7%.

The progression of osteochondrosis can lead to the development of other pathologies:

• Protrusion of the intervertebral disc when it bulges into the intervertebral canal;
• intervertebral hernia - in contrast to protrusion, it is a rupture of the annulus fibrosus;
• stenosis of the intervertebral canal, the vertebral artery;
• radiculopathy - a complex of symptoms that occur when the roots of the spinal cord are damaged;
• Kyphosis - popularly called hump and implies the curvature of the spine with the direction of the back of the bulge (sagittal plane);
• pneumosclerosis;
• shingles;
• malignant neoplasms;
• sexual dysfunction.

Prevention

Every disease is easier to prevent than to stop and cure pathological changes that have already occurred.

Adhering to the following preventive measures will help prevent breast osteochondrosis:

• Maintain a normal body weight.
• Moderate physical activity. It is necessary to exercise regularly or at least daily. It is imperative to include elements to strengthen the back muscles in the exercises.
• Avoid injuries and physical overload.
• If necessary, maintain the correct posture and carry out the correction.
• Avoidance of emotional overload and stress.
• Proper nutrition.
• Eliminate bad habits.
• Correct organization of the sleeping area. It is important to correctly choose the firmness of the mattress and adapt it to your individual characteristics.
• Arrange the workplace correctly. If the work is sedentary, consider getting a high-back chair. It is necessary to take breaks and warm up in the meantime.
• Early medical examinations.
• Complete and timely treatment of any pathology.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can lead to various complications that have a negative impact on the quality of life. At the first signs of pathology, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will diagnose and prescribe competent treatment. All regulations must be strictly followed.