Thoracic osteochondrosis is a degenerative dystrophic disease that affects the intervertebral discs;As the pathology progresses, the surrounding structures are involved in the process.The symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are varied, often similar to the manifestations of other diseases.To diagnose this pathology, several methods are used to detect changes in intervertebral structures.Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes both the use of medications and non-drug therapy in the form of physiotherapy and massage.Many are also interested in how to cure thoracic osteochondrosis using traditional methods.
Risk factors
Thoracic osteochondrosis occurs more often if there are one or more predisposing factors.These include:
- hereditary predisposition;
- spinal anomalies;
- excessive physical activity;
- low physical activity;
- damage to intervertebral discs after falls on the back, blows to the spine;
- prolonged exposure to vibrations, typical, for example, of vehicle drivers;
- presence of excess body weight;
- hormonal disorders;
- smoking;
- age over 40 years;
- wearing high heels.
Features of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure, the thoracic spine is less mobile compared to the cervical spine, and also bears less load compared to the lumbar part of the lumbar spine.In this regard, osteochondrosis of this section rarely occurs.
The most common symptoms of chest osteochondrosis are back pain.Dorsago is a sharp pain that appears after a long stay in a lying or sitting position, when the person starts to get up.Often the pain is so intense that it becomes difficult to breathe.This condition may be accompanied by muscle tension in the chest, neck and lower back.
Dorsalgia is chest pain that develops gradually and persists for 2 to 3 weeks.Unpleasant sensations become stronger when bending, turning, remaining in the same position for a long time or taking deep breaths.
Other common manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis include:
- stomach pain, combined with nausea, vomiting, their occurrence is not associated with eating habits;
- pain in the right hypochondrium, aggravated by coughing, sneezing or changing body position;
- back pain, reminiscent of renal colic, sometimes accompanied by urinary disorders;
- pain in the upper chest, accompanied by a sensation of a foreign object in the throat;
- dull pain in the mammary glands.
Degrees of the disease
Depending on the severity of the pathological process and the manifestations of the disease, 4 degrees of osteochondrosis are distinguished.
First
At this stage, fissures form in the fibrous ring, through which the nucleus pulposus penetrates.Pain at the site of the injury is a sign of thoracic osteochondrosis at this stage.They can be constant or appear suddenly, in the form of low back pain.Sometimes unpleasant sensations appear in the heart region and local muscle contractions are observed.
Second
This phase is characterized by the occurrence of pathological mobility between the vertebrae at the site of the injury.Pain occurs when remaining in the same position for a long time and persists with movement.
Third
This phase is characterized by the rupture of the fibrous ring and the exit of the nucleus pulposus beyond its limits.Such pathological changes are accompanied by the formation of intervertebral hernias.The latter can compress nerve fibers, blood vessels and spinal cord.
Painful sensations occur more frequently and are accompanied by breathing problems and discomfort in the heart area.
Room
The pathological process involves the structures that surround the intervertebral discs.The ligamentous apparatus of the spine is affected andosteophytes- bone growths that compress nerve fibers, sometimes damaging the spinal cord.
Possible complications
When thoracic osteochondrosis is accompanied by compression of the spinal nerve root, intercostal neuralgia occurs.It is characterized by attacks of sharp pain in the middle of the chest.Unpleasant sensations spread from the spine to the sternum along nerve fibers and are acute in nature.
Pain with intercostal neuralgia often radiates to the stomach, shoulder blade, arm, and retrosternal region.When sympathetic fibers are damaged, pallor and redness of the skin in the affected area are noted.The duration of a painful attack varies from a few seconds to minutes.In the intercostal space, a person may feel paresthesia (a feeling of numbness, crawling), a characteristic symptom of the interval between attacks.
Another complication of this condition is spondyloarthrosis.With this pathology, the joints between the vertebrae are deformed, the cartilaginous layer is destroyed, the ligaments are stretched and there is an increase in the mobility of the vertebrae in relation to each other.In response to the inflammation, a spasm of the muscles around the spine occurs.
Subsequently, osteophytes form, and against the background of the formation of such growths, the affected part of the spine loses mobility.Bony protrusions sometimes compress nerve roots, causing pain and sensory disturbances.
Diagnosis of the disease
The simplest way to detect thoracic osteochondrosis is x-ray of the spine.This study reveals irregular, flattened contours of intervertebral discs, displacement of the bodies of adjacent vertebrae from each other and changes in their shape.
Sometimes a discography is performed - an X-ray examination using a contrast agent.This method makes it possible to identify the irregular boundaries of the nucleus pulposus, characteristic of osteochondrosis.With a pronounced pathological process, the contrast completely fills the intervertebral disc, sometimes extending beyond its limits.
More accurate images of the spine can be obtained using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.These methods make it possible to assess the severity of the degenerative process in more detail, determine the presence of a hernia, its location and size.
If symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis appear, the doctor may also recommend a general blood test as an auxiliary diagnostic method.This disease is often accompanied by a slight increase in the number of leukocytes and an increase in ESR.When testing blood for electrolytes, a decrease in calcium levels is sometimes seen.
The manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis are similar to the signs of many diseases;If they occur, it is necessary to consult a doctor for examination and clarification of the diagnosis.If left untreated, the disease progresses, often leading to complications.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis: gymnastics and exercise therapy
Gymnastics increases mobility in the intervertebral and costovertebral joints of the thoracic region, reduces the feeling of stiffness and eliminates muscle spasm.
Before treating thoracic osteochondrosis at home with exercise therapy, you need to make sure that there are no contraindications.Fitness classes are prohibited when:
- exacerbations of osteochondrosis;
- early recovery period after surgical treatment of osteochondrosis;
- neurological pathology accompanied by impaired coordination of movements;
- high blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances;
- exacerbations of any chronic diseases, acute inflammatory and infectious processes.
Massage
Massage improves blood circulation in the tissues surrounding the spine, eliminates muscle spasm and, at the same time, increases its tone.In this context, pain and discomfort in the back area decreases.
For thoracic osteochondrosis, the following types of massage can be used:
- Classic.
- Point (impact on certain points).
- Segmental (back massage in the thoracic region, aiming to improve local blood circulation).
- Cupping therapy (exposure of affected areas with vacuum).
Classic massage includes rubbing, stroking, kneading, vibrating movements and pinching.
Drug treatment
Drug therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis is aimed at:
- reduction of inflammatory processes;
- elimination of pain;
- reduction of muscle spasm;
- improvement of the condition of cartilage and nervous tissue.
The most commonly used medications to treat the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.These medications suppress the inflammatory reactions that occur in nerve fibers, resulting in reduced pain.These funds are used in the form of:
- Pills.
- Ointments, gels.
- Injections.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug injections are used for exacerbations of the disease.
The most common side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include damage to the mucous membrane of the digestive tract with the formation of ulcers, decreased blood clotting, kidney damage and allergic reactions.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis with medications from the muscle relaxant group can reduce spasm of the muscles surrounding the spine, compressing nerve endings and blood vessels, resulting in a decrease in pain intensity.
Chondroprotectors normalize metabolic processes in cartilage tissue and prevent its destruction.The composition of these products includes chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, which participate in the synthesis of connective tissue.
Preparations containing B vitamins improve metabolism in damaged nerve fibers, which leads to suppression of inflammatory reactions.
Folk remedies for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis at home includes the use of ointments, compresses and taking various infusions and decoctions.They help reduce the severity of inflammation, improve metabolic processes in the affected areas of the spine and reduce pain.
Ointments, compresses with natural composition
Before treating thoracic osteochondrosis with these drugs, it is important to prepare them correctly.To obtain egg vinegar ointment, you need to mix one chicken egg with the same volume of table vinegar, add 100 grams of softened butter and bring the mixture to a homogeneous consistency.This ointment is applied to the affected area overnight in a thin layer.
To make another product, you need to mix 2 tablespoons of crushed sage and banana leaves.Add 40 grams of melted petroleum jelly and 50 milliliters of olive oil to the plants.All components are mixed well, the resulting ointment is applied to the affected area with rubbing movements and a warm cloth is applied on top.The procedure can be repeated 2 to 3 times a day.
To prepare one of the most effective compresses, you need to prepare 50 grams of aloe leaves, 100 milliliters of vodka, 100 grams of honey.Aloe is crushed with a grater and the remaining ingredients are added.The composition is infused for 5 days.The product is applied to the area where there is pain, polyethylene is placed on the skin of the back and a towel or scarf is wrapped around the chest.The compress is left for 2 hours.
Infusions, tinctures, decoctions
To prepare an anti-inflammatory decoction, you need to mix a tablespoon of dry chamomile and mint.300 milliliters of hot water are added to the plant material and the composition is boiled for 10 minutes in a water bath.The composition is taken 2 tablespoons three times a day.
To obtain an infusion with pronounced anti-inflammatory properties, you need to take 2 tablespoons of strawberry and birch leaves, 3 tablespoons of chamomile flowers, calendula, a tablespoon of St. John's wort, 10 grams of oak bark.The listed components are mixed, 2 tablespoons of this composition are poured with a liter of boiling water and left for 4 hours.This infusion should be drunk 100 milliliters 3 times a day.
To obtain arnica tincture, 25 grams of plant flowers are poured with half a liter of vodka.The product is placed for a month in a cool, dark place.The tincture is taken 20 drops three times a day, after dissolving it in a little water.This remedy improves metabolic processes in the affected areas of the spine and reduces the severity of inflammatory reactions.
Prevention
To prevent the development of thoracic osteochondrosis, it is recommended:
- stop smoking and abusing alcoholic beverages;
- normalize nutrition, reduce the content of fatty and fried foods in the diet;
- maintain ideal body weight;
- Avoid heavy lifting and excessive physical exertion.
Complex treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, consisting of drug therapy, massage, exercise therapy, is aimed at reducing inflammation, muscle spasms and eliminating pain.Traditional methods serve as an auxiliary measure, helping to enhance the effect of other ongoing activities.