Degenerative and dystrophic changes in the tissues of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, and the clinical symptoms associated with these processes, are called osteochondrosis.Let's consider the main causes and methods of treating osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
- Heredity.
Damaged or mutated genes responsible for normal bone growth are inherited.Therefore, the risk of osteochondrosis increases significantly if there are people in the family who suffer from this disease. - Sedentary lifestyle.
In this case, prolonged and excessive load on the spine is important, leading to compression of the vertebrae and the development of the disease.This happens most often among people who work at a computer and among drivers. - Vascular pathology.
Any disease of the vessels supplying the spinal column with blood and causing insufficient supply of nutrients to the vertebral tissues leads to the appearance of degenerative and dystrophic changes in them. - Metabolic disorders in the body.
Most often, diabetes mellitus leads to changes in blood vessels that disrupt tissue trophism.In addition, direct changes in the vertebral tissue are possible in cases of disturbances in phosphorus-calcium metabolism, in pathologies of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, and in diseases of the adrenal cortex. - Infections and poisonings.
Inflammatory processes in the tissues of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, caused by viruses, bacteria or the action of their toxins, can also lead to the development of osteochondrosis. - Overweight.
The presence of constant excessive load on the spine leads to compression of the intervertebral discs with the subsequent development of the processes underlying osteochondrosis. - Poor nutrition.
Lack of microelements (for example, calcium), lack of vitamins (D3) can also lead to disruption of metabolic processes in the body and the development of pathologies of bone and cartilage tissue. - Age-related changes in bone and cartilage tissue.
With age, degenerative changes occur in the thoracic spine, leading to compression of the intervertebral discs.In old age and old age, the muscular structure of the spine also weakens. - Thoracic spine injuries.
Contusions and fractures of the vertebral arches due to a fall or automobile injury are not such a rare occurrence.At the same time, anatomical changes in the vertebrae and surrounding tissues are the direct cause of the development of the pathological process, which is the cause of osteochondrosis. - Scoliosis
“School” pathology, which develops in children in educational institutions where health-saving technologies are not used, occurs mainly in the thoracic spine.The curvature of the spine noticeably changes the load on individual segments of the spine, which causes the development of osteochondrosis. - Sports and occupational risks.
Sports stress (for example, weightlifters), as well as work associated with lifting weights, frequent changes in body position (turning, flexion and extension, sudden movements) can also cause persistent pathological changes in the spine.Furthermore, prolonged exposure to uncomfortable postures when standing, sitting, lying down, when lifting and carrying heavy objects, or when performing other jobs, which increase the pressure on the discs and the load on the spine as a whole, can also lead to osteochondrosis. - Other causal factors and risks of developing osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Excessive spinal tension associated with foot diseases, as well as as a result of wearing uncomfortable shoes, high heels and pregnancy in women, abrupt interruption of regular training by professional athletes and, finally, nervous tension and stressful situations.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
All symptoms of the disease can be divided into reflex and compressive.
Reflex symptoms
The mechanism of its appearance is irritation of the receptors of the intervertebral ligaments, capsules of the intervertebral joints and receptors of the intervertebral discs.Irradiation (spread) of irritation to adjacent segments of the spinal cord can lead to the appearance of various symptoms.
Here are the main ones: chest pain, pain in the abdomen or in the heart region, tension in the chest muscles, vegetative symptoms of internal organs.The pain is always sharp, described by patients as feeling like a dagger.The place of pain is the region between the shoulder blades, the pain can radiate to the heart region, the sternum.
It may be difficult for the patient to move or take a deep breath.Reflex symptoms in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are much more common than compression symptoms.
Compression symptoms
Symptoms of compression of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are caused by compression or stretching of the nerve root in the area of exit from the intervertebral foramen.The main ones are: symmetrical muscle weakness in both legs, loss of sensitivity in them, “radicular” pain in the back and chest.The pain is “shooting”, felt inside the chest, in the abdomen, intensifies with movement, bending the body, coughing, sneezing, laughing.A sensation of “crawling”, numbness and tingling appears.As the pathology progresses, movement disorders and muscle atrophy may appear.Muscle tone increases, sensitivity in the lower extremities decreases and urinary disorders may appear.
Other autonomic symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Autonomic symptoms in osteochondrosis appear due to the fact that the nerve fibers coming from the thoracic spine contain autonomic conductors;irritation or violation of these fibers may be accompanied by autonomic symptoms.The main ones are: peeling and dryness of the skin in the innervation zone of the compressed nerve, local disturbance of sweating and thermoregulation (also according to the innervation zone), brittle toenails, pain simulating pathology of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, gastric ulcer, cholecystitis), pain in the lower back, pain in the heart.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be comprehensive (with a combination of drug and non-drug methods), individual and systemic.
Methods of drug treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The main objectives of these methods are to eliminate pain, muscle tension, improve microcirculation and tissue trophism.To this end, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce inflammation and eliminate muscle pain and tension.These funds are prescribed for an average of 7 to 14 days.Applications of local anesthetics are prescribed.In cases of insufficient effect of non-steroidal analgesics, an analgesic mixture is used.The mixtures are administered intravenously with saline or glucose.Paravertebral blocks have a rapid analgesic effect, when a painkiller is injected into the soft tissues of the perivertebral areas.
To relieve pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, irritating and distracting ointments are used topically.
Muscle tension is relieved with medications such as muscle relaxants.
To normalize blood circulation and improve tissue nutrition, antiplatelet drugs and nicotinic acid are used.
They also use drugs that improve the metabolism of intervertebral discs and joints - chondroprotectors.
Non-drug treatments
Diet for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.Completely excluded from the diet: salt, hot seasonings, preparations based on vinegar and salt, semi-finished products, sugar (can be replaced with honey), coffee and carbonated drinks.Allowed: legumes, eggplant, cheese, dairy products, lettuce, cabbage, cottage cheese, banana, liver, carrots, melon, seafood, cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, seeds and berries.
The complex treatment program for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine includes: manual therapy, classical massage, acupressure, reflex-segmental massage, physiotherapy, twisting (stretching) techniques, acupuncture, swimming, physiotherapeutic methods (electrophoresis, ultrasound, amplipulse, diodynamic currents, mud therapy and others. etc.).
Traditional methods of treating osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is an indication for treatment under the strict supervision of a doctor.Home and folk remedies should never be used blindly, without a doctor's permission.The following may be used as additional treatment to alleviate the patient's condition:
- Tinctures and decoctions.
- Blueberry leaf tincture.Take 1 tablespoon of lingonberry leaves, pour 0.25 liters of boiling water and let it brew for 2 hours.Drink half a glass morning and evening for 3 weeks.
- A decoction of parsley roots.Grind 50 g of parsley roots, add 0.5 liters of water and cook over low heat for an hour and a half.Consume 1 tablespoon morning and evening for 3 weeks.
- Nettle and honey tincture.Squeeze the juice from freshly harvested nettles and mix it with honey and medical alcohol in equal parts.Leave in a cold place for 14 days and consume a tablespoon in the morning on an empty stomach for 2 weeks.
- Yarrow tincture with mint, licorice and calendula.Mix a tablespoon of yarrow and 2 tablespoons of mint, licorice and calendula and pour 1 liter of boiling water, let it brew for 7-8 hours.Take 50 ml 3 times a day for 3 weeks.
- Friction.
- Radish and honey infused with vodka.Grate the radish, mix with honey in equal parts and add 50 ml of vodka.Use this composition to rub into the area of pain.
- Pork fat and hops.Mix a tablespoon of melted pork fat cooled to room temperature with the same amount of ground hops.Rub the resulting composition into the affected area.
- Pork fat and propolis.Melt 150 g of pork fat, add 30 g of propolis and mix well.It is best to scrub your skin at night.After the procedure, you must wrap your back with a warm cloth.
- Ginger and garlic.Fry the chopped ginger and garlic with the addition of butter until you get a homogeneous paste.Rub the resulting mixture into the painful area.
- Oregano with olive oil.Mix 1 tablespoon of oregano and 0.2 liters of olive oil.Leave the mixture for 10 hours, then strain and rub into painful areas of the back.
Prognosis for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The prognosis is generally favorable, with complications with this form of the disease being rare.It is worth paying attention to the timely diagnosis of the disease, to exclude other pathologies of the thoracic organs, as well as to complete treatment and sufficient prevention of exacerbations of osteochondrosis.