Osteochondrosis is damage to the bones and cartilage of different parts of the spine. In this article, we will examine the characteristics of this defect, in a situation where it occurs in the chest region, its main symptoms and treatment.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spinal column is the progression of damage to the degenerative-dystrophic nature of the tissue structures of the vertebrae, as a result of which they, as well as the intervertebral plates and cartilage tissue, gradually die. There are other osteochondrosis, such as cervical or lumbar. Compared to them, the manifestations of chest pathology are rarer, since the spine is less movable in this part, and it is also fixed because of the ribs. However, in some cases, the disease ends with disability as a result of the development of intervertebral hernias. The only effective treatment in this case will be surgery. Most often, the disease affects people over 35-40 years old.
Due to the peculiarities of the placement, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest region are less pronounced and less likely to occur due to external influences. The main risk for the development of pathology is a sedentary lifestyle, which is why the muscular frame of the back is much weaker. The main causes of the disease are:
- Back overload, which can occur due to both lifting heavy objects and wearing heels, as well as special physiological conditions, such as pregnancy, or congenital foot defects - flat feet.
- Inactivity, sedentary work, insufficient physical activity
- Scoliosis and other types of curvature of the spine in the thoracic region
- Back injury
- Bad posture
- hereditary factors
- severe stress
Thoracic osteochondrosis ends with a strong thinning of the intervertebral discs, the formation of intervertebral hernias, the formation of growths from the connective tissue and wear and tear of the cartilaginous structures that make up the vertebral joints.
The consequences of the pathology are often accompanied by additional symptoms, when, for example, spinal canals or blood vessels are compressed. As well as various other manifestations that require additional complex treatment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest region
With the thoracic manifestation of the disease, the symptoms often appear when the spine is loaded, as well as due to sudden movements - turning and tilting the body.
Most often, there is a feeling of aching dull pain, which is localized between the shoulder blades and is accompanied by a feeling of compression of the sternum. If the lower ribs are displaced, they speak of posterior rib syndrome, in which the pain manifests itself in the lower part of the chest and the scapula zone. In addition, pain often occurs when you try to feel the spine, where there is pathology.
Such painful manifestations are usually attributed to one of two types:
- Severe, penetrating and sharp pain in the interscapular zone, as well as in the ribs. It is called Dorsago and is characterized by increased turns and changes in body position. Usually, such pain is characteristic during exacerbations, and symptomatic treatment is required to relieve it.
- Dorsalgia is called a pain syndrome that appears gradually and lasts for 7-20 days. The nature of the pain in this case is dull and mild, the place of manifestation is in the spine at chest level. An increase in intensity can be observed when you take a deep breath or bend down. You may also experience shortness of breath and spasms in the muscles around the affected area. The appearance of the symptom is usually triggered by staying in one position for a long time, for example after a night's sleep.
Additional pathological conditions associated with thoracic osteochondrosis depend on the depth of their manifestation. For example, in a situation where the nerve endings passing through the vertebrae are strongly compressed, sensitivity is reduced, which can affect the tendon reflexes. In addition, in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, pinching of the nerve endings responsible for the liver, heart, kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal organs is common, as a result of which a certain degree of loss of the function of these organs and systems is likely. the appearance of the corresponding symptoms of heaviness, tightness, and pain.
Other manifestations of the disease often include problems with normal breathing and local pain:
- In the chest and on the left side of the heart
- Under the ribs on the right or left side, which may raise the suspicion of cholecystitis and other diseases
- In the throat, esophagus, stomach and intestines
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptomatic treatment is prescribed, in other words, it depends on which symptoms are most pronounced. For this purpose, the doctor prescribes the following drugs:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Pain relievers
- Local anesthetics, which are creams, ointments, patches
- Relaxation of muscles during severe spasms
- vitamins
- Antidepressants
To stop the progression of the disease, various physiotherapy procedures are used, as well as dietary adjustment and vitamin intake. Some doctors supplement the treatment with drugs called chondroprotectors. They are credited with their properties of restoring damaged cartilage and bones. However, there is no serious evidence of the effectiveness of such funds, at the same time, their course lasts 6 months and can be quite expensive. Based on this, the intake of these drugs should be discussed with the doctor, but it is better to ask for advice from several specialists.
As an additional treatment aimed at preventing the pathology in the future, physiotherapy is used to facilitate the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Most frequently used:
- Shock wave, laser and magnetic therapy, as well as ultraviolet and electrophoresis
- Complexes of physiotherapy exercises. Osteochondrosis can be treated very effectively with the help of gymnastic exercises. Usually, the entire series of exercises is repeated several times a day, which helps to strengthen the muscles of the back and chest, as well as to restore the mobility of the vertebrae. With the help of gymnastics, both the treatment and prevention of the disease are carried out, a specific complex is selected by the attending physician. It is worth noting that you can start the exercises only after the symptoms of pain have disappeared, and if pain occurs during the procedure, then its intensity should be reduced.
- Massages that help stretch the spine, increase metabolism in the vertebrae and surrounding elements
- Special diets to replace the lack of substances necessary for the restoration of cartilaginous tissue structures.
What to do with exacerbation?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is a chronic disease, therefore it is characterized by periods when it worsens. This usually occurs after serious physical effort in the gym or at work, severe stress, accumulated fatigue. At this point, additional symptoms are likely:
- A headache bordering on migraine
- Nausea and vomiting
- dizziness
- strong weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Limited movement
The worsening of severe spinal pain associated with dorsago can hardly be stopped on its own. In addition, the independent selection of a strong pain reliever is associated with serious side effects, additional complications and treatment. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help during this period, if it is not possible to visit the neurologist yourself, then you should call an ambulance. Pain symptoms can be well removed in the hospital by intramuscular injection of painkillers and simultaneous local anesthesia.
If osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is in an acute stage, the following treatment rules should be followed:
- You should stay in bed as much as possible, relieve the spine
- Medicines to be taken should only be taken as prescribed by the doctor.
- Physiotherapy can only be done with a doctor's permission.
- The diet must be modified
In the presence of a herniated disc, additional drug therapy is prescribed, as well as the wearing of a brace. If the hernia is large, the only effective method of therapy is surgery, which is prescribed individually based on the results of the diagnosis.
Prevention
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine often occurs in certain professions, therefore all those who, on the one hand, perform heavy work related to weight lifting, and on the other hand, are very inactive during the work process, should monitor their posture, periodically strengthen the back muscles and provide useful motor activity to the vertebrae. Thus, the prevention of osteochondrosis involves performing physical training several times a day. Don't have an unnecessary and independent massage.
In addition, it is important to change the diet in order to exclude products whose ingredients lead to degenerative processes and increased wear of cartilage and bones. The diet should minimize the amount of salty, sweet, spicy, spicy, fried foods. Foods should be chosen natural, without preservatives and dyes. The priority is vegetables, fruits, cereals, lean meat and fish, dairy products. In order to speed up salt metabolism, adults should drink at least two liters of fluid per day. It is better to refuse alcohol and coffee. In addition, it is important to prevent the appearance of excess weight, which increases the load on the vertebrae.
Another factor that helps prevent osteochondrosis of the chest region is healthy sleep. By "healthy" in this case, we mean the body position in which the body is. To minimize discomfort during sleep, it is better to use an individually selected pillow and orthopedic mattress.
The implementation of these measures will help to avoid the appearance of symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis and to avoid long-term treatment.