Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a fairly common disease. Like other diseases of the musculoskeletal system, in recent years this disease has become younger - it is observed in middle-aged and sometimes young people. And, although among all parts of the chest region it is less susceptible to injury, due to the mobility of the position of the vertebrae, this disease is becoming more common among men, women and even children. That is why osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease whose symptoms and treatment are of interest to many people.
What are the specific features of the thoracic spine?
The thoracic spine does not bear as much load as the lumbar spine and its mobility is lower than that of the cervical spine. Because of this, in the thoracic spine, the symptoms of osteochondrosis and other diseases appear at later stages than in other parts of the spine. According to statistics, the thoracic spine is less susceptible to injuries, damage and diseases, such as intervertebral hernia and vertebral displacement. However, there are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing diseases and injuries, for example, scoliosis and poor posture. With thoracic osteochondrosis, as with any other disease, the disease can usually be detected only after significant development.
Symptoms and signs of thoracic osteochondrosis
Thoracic osteochondrosis can be easily distinguished from other diseases by the characteristic symptoms of the disease. The following signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are distinguished:
- Due to prolonged standing in one position, chest pain appears - it manifests itself with sudden movements or significant physical activity;
- Deep inhalation and exhalation causes pain and tightness in the middle of the back;
- When you raise your arms up and make sharp turns, a stable pain syndrome is observed;
- Moderate pain is constantly observed in the area of the shoulder blades;
- Some parts of the body become numb and numb;
- An unreasonable tingling or shivering sensation;
- Itching or burning sensation in the legs, a decrease in their temperature compared to the rest of the body;
- The disease causes side effects such as digestive disorders, intercostal neuralgia and problems in the reproductive sphere.
Depending on which symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest region appear during the development of the disease, the disease can be confused with other, no less serious diseases, such as pneumonia, angina pectoris. Therefore, for each of the indicated signs of osteochondrosis, a comprehensive examination of the body is necessary.
Pain with this disease is divided into two types:
- Dorsago - sharp pain of considerable intensity, accompanied by a feeling of stiffness and interference with normal breathing;
- Dorsalgia – pain in the area of the intervertebral discs that lasts for a long time.
One of the most striking manifestations of the disease is pain in the epigastric region. Pain exacerbations occur regardless of the season, most often caused by diet.
Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis
The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be different. Among the most common manifestations are the following:
- Pathologies of the structure of the intervertebral discs, including a hereditary tendency to develop diseases of the spine;
- Thinned intervertebral discs, hernia;
- Decrease in the quality of cartilage tissue;
- Blood circulation disorders that prevent blood flow to the spinal cord;
- Irrational load on the spine, causing degeneration of muscle tissue, cartilage or bones;
- Lack of vitamins and trace elements, mainly calcium;
- Continuous physical activity;
- Sedentary lifestyle, working on a computer or driving a car;
- Injuries and other injuries of the spine.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
Treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should begin as soon as possible. Even if manifestations in the form of significant pain are not detected, this does not mean that the disease does not require treatment. The sooner treatment is started, the easier and faster it will be. Modern medicine offers a wide range of methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis, and in combination with the methods of traditional medicine, you can achieve quick and lasting results.
The first stage of treatment is diagnosis. It is necessary to accurately determine the disease - for this, the doctor conducts palpation, examination and collects an anamnesis. To accurately determine the cause of the disease, it is necessary not only to take a blood and urine test, but also to undergo an X-ray or MRI.
When the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor determines how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. The usual course includes not only drug treatment, but also physiotherapy, exercise therapy and massage.
Exercise therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy for this disease is mandatory, as is massage, but the basis of treatment in any case is medication. The doctor treats osteochondrosis based on the specific case of the patient.
Manual therapy
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis will be more complete if, in addition to regular massage and physical education, it includes manual therapy. It helps to get rid of increased muscle tone, eliminate spasms and also restore the normal position of the back muscles. A chiropractor can relieve tension in the back, release blood vessels to improve blood supply, quality nutrition and reset the intervertebral discs.
Physiotherapy
Drug therapy is usually combined with physiotherapeutic methods. Patients are usually prescribed:
- Shock wave treatment is the effect of sound waves on the chest region. Improves metabolism, blood supply to the affected area, improves tissue restoration and relieves pain;
- Detensor therapy - helps unload the spine and relieve spasms under the influence of the patient's own weight;
- Electrotherapy – heating of tissues using electric fields, giving impulses to improve blood circulation and stimulate metabolism. Under the influence of the current, drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis are absorbed more efficiently;
- Ultraviolet treatment - quartz treatment increases the production of vitamin D, and also helps relieve pain and improve the functioning of the immune system;
- Magnetotherapy - an electromagnetic field at a low frequency improves the supply of useful substances to the diseased area, accelerates healing and improves blood flow;
- Laser therapy - lasers can relieve spasms and pain, reduce inflammation, stimulate tissue repair processes;
- Ultrasound – ultrasonic vibrations help relieve pain, inflammation and also promote better absorption of medicines.
Drug therapy
For this disease, drug treatment may include drugs for internal use and local application.
Tablets for osteochondrosis allow you to:
- Pain reduction;
- Relief of inflammation;
- Relax your muscles;
- Improvement of local blood circulation;
- Restoration of metabolism;
- Strengthen tissue regeneration.
Symptomatic treatment is very important for this disease. First of all, take painkillers. They allow you to get rid of the pain that sometimes accompanies any movement. To ensure that the drug not only relieves pain, but also reduces inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with an analgesic effect are recommended. Also, for osteochondrosis, it is recommended to take chondroprotective drugs, vitamin-mineral complexes and immunomodulating agents.
Local drugs for the treatment of the disease aim for the same effect as internal ones. Ointments, gels and creams for application to the affected area may contain analgesics and NSAIDs, as well as chondroprotectors and other necessary agents.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine helped to treat osteochondrosis long before all modern medicines were invented. Their effectiveness is not so high, but side effects are absent or minimal. Folk remedies are an excellent addition to the main treatment, and as part of complex therapy they allow you to recover faster.
Among the folk remedies are:
- Horseradish leaves, soaked in boiling water, are applied to the diseased area - this relieves the symptoms of osteochondrosis, and regular procedures prevent the aggravation of the disease;
- A homemade curd compress with a few drops of vinegar is applied at night to get rid of the symptoms of osteochondrosis in the chest or neck;
- A solution of the leaves and flowers of the mushroom plant is used to rub the affected area;
- Fresh cakes with rye flour are cooled slightly and applied to sore spots to relieve inflammation and pain.
It offers traditional medicine and remedies for internal use. For thoracic osteochondrosis you can use:
- Four cloves of garlic and three crushed lemons poured with boiling water are taken on an empty stomach, one tablespoon. It cannot be used for gastritis and peptic ulcers;
- Instead of ordinary tea, a decoction of blackberry leaves is taken at the rate of one tablespoon per liter of boiling water;
- Horse udder, boiled for ten minutes. Leave it for a few hours, after which take a couple of lozenges three times a day. This is an effective remedy for pain in osteochondrosis;
- Nettle juice. Mixed in equal proportions with honey and ethyl alcohol, take a tablespoon three times a day for a week and a half.
What should be done in case of deterioration?
Exacerbations are the hardest part of this disease. They are accompanied by sharp and acute pain, which is called dorsago. It is very difficult to relieve such severe pain and it is not always possible to do it yourself. The cause of the deterioration may be:
- Hypothermia;
- Physical exercises;
- Overwork, continuous hard work;
- Very active training;
- Stress and other tensions of the nervous system.
What should a person do if they feel they are getting worse? First of all, you should make an appointment with a neurologist. He will diagnose your condition and prescribe the necessary treatment measures that will help eliminate the aggravation and minimize its symptoms. Aggravation of the disease is often accompanied by nausea, headaches of high intensity, limited mobility and general weakness.
Since this disease is closely related to breathing, an exacerbation can cause difficulties with it - deep breaths and sharp exhalations become very painful. To minimize the number of muscle spasms, it is recommended to observe bed rest during an exacerbation.
Patients with worsening disease are referred to hospital treatment, where they are transported by ambulance so that the patient does not need to move much. During the treatment, medications that relieve muscle spasms are initially prescribed. To relieve pain, analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy are prescribed.
One of the most serious consequences of an exacerbation of the disease can be an intervertebral hernia. A slight extension in the thoracic spine can lead to pain in different parts of the back. If the extension is large, it can lead to serious problems and put the patient's life at risk. The only way to get rid of an intervertebral hernia in this case is surgery.
To avoid such complications during an exacerbation of the disease, it is recommended to follow the rules:
- Keep bed rest, a minimum of physical activity and unnecessary movement;
- Maintaining a healthy diet;
- Compliance with all the doctor's recommendations, taking prescribed drugs;
- Massage and rub the affected area;
- With the doctor's recommendation - exercise therapy;
- Rubbing with gels, ointments and creams prescribed by the doctor in the area of the chest and spine;
- Participation in physiotherapy procedures prescribed by your doctor.
Preventive measures
Thoracic osteochondrosis is an unpleasant disease that is best avoided. To reduce the risk of developing the disease, you should:
- Avoid lifting weights beyond normal limits;
- Protect the spine from hypothermia;
- Rest regularly and avoid excessive fatigue;
- Make sure your posture is correct.
- Do not stay in the same position for a long time, especially if it is uncomfortable.
If your professional activity inevitably involves standing in one position, you should adopt a rule for performing physical exercises. Office workers, drivers and other professionals who sit in one place for a long time should get up regularly, change the position of the spine and stretch the legs. If possible, during these physical minutes one of the groups of exercises specially developed for such cases is performed.
It is equally important to eat properly and nutritiously. The main principle of a healthy diet for the musculoskeletal system is to avoid salty foods. Salt is deposited in bone and cartilage tissue, causing its destruction.
It is good to sleep on orthopedic mattresses. If this is not possible, it is better to sleep on a hard surface than on a very soft surface. You can put a special board on the bed or sofa.