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 people of middle and sometimes young age. And, although among all parts of the thoracic region it is the least prone to injury, due to the movement of the position of the vertebrae, the disease is becoming more common in men, women and even children. That is why osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease whose symptoms and treatment are of great interest to many.
What are the special 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, symptoms of osteochondrosis and other diseases appear at a later stage than in other parts of the spine. According to statistics, the thoracic spine is the least prone to injury, damage and disease, such as intervertebral hernia and vertebral displacement. However, there are some factors that increase the risk of disease and injury, for example, scoliosis and poor posture. With thoracic osteochondrosis, like 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 in the thoracic region are distinguished:
- Due to staying in one position for a long time, chest pain occurs - it manifests itself with sudden movements or significant physical activity;
- Inhaling and exhaling deeply causes pain and tightness in the middle of the back;
- When raising the hand and making a sharp turn, a stable pain syndrome is noted;
- Moderate pain is always observed in the area of the shoulder blade;
- Certain parts of the body become numb and become insensitive;
- Unreasonable tingling or shivering;
- Itching or burning sensation in the legs, a decrease in their temperature compared to the rest of the body;
- This disease causes side effects such as digestive disorders, intercostal neuralgia, and problems in the field of reproduction.
Depending on the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region that appear during the development of the disease, this disease can be confused with other diseases that are no less serious, such as pneumonia, angina pectoris. Therefore, for any sign of osteochondrosis shown, a thorough examination of the body is required.
Pain with this disease is divided into two types:
- Dorsago - sharp pain with significant intensity, accompanied by a feeling of stiffness and interfering with normal breathing;
- Dorsalgia - pain in the intervertebral disc area that lasts a long time.
One of the most significant manifestations of the disease is pain in the epigastric region. Severe pain occurs 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 as follows:
- Pathology of the structure of the intervertebral disc, including a hereditary tendency to develop spinal diseases;
- Thinned intervertebral disc, hernia;
- A decrease in the quality of cartilage tissue;
- Circulatory disorders that prevent blood flow to the spinal cord;
- Irrational load on the spine, causing degeneration of muscle tissue, cartilage or bone;
- Lack of vitamins and microelements, especially calcium;
- Continuous physical activity;
- Sedentary lifestyle, working on a computer or driving a car;
- Injuries and other damage to the spine.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
Treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should begin as early as possible. Even if no manifestation in the form of significant pain is detected, this does not mean that the disease does not require treatment. The sooner treatment is started, the easier and faster it is. Modern medicine offers various methods to treat osteochondrosis, and in combination with traditional medicine methods, 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 anamnesis. To accurately determine the cause of the disease, it is necessary not only to take blood and urine tests, but also to undergo X-ray or MRI.
When the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor determines how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. A typical 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. Doctors treat osteochondrosis based on the patient's specific case.
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 eliminate increased muscle tone, relieves spasms, and also restores the normal position of the back muscles. A chiropractor can relieve tension in the back, free blood vessels to improve blood supply, quality nutrition and restore intervertebral discs.
Physiotherapy
Drug therapy is usually combined with physiotherapeutic methods. Patients are usually prescribed:
- Shock wave treatment is the impact of sound waves on the thoracic region. Improves metabolism, blood supply to the affected area, improves tissue recovery and relieves pain;
- Detensor therapy - helps unload the spine and relieve spasms under the influence of the patient's own body weight;
- Electrotherapy – heats tissue using an electric field, sending impulses to improve blood circulation and stimulate metabolism. Under the current influence, drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis are absorbed more efficiently;
- Ultraviolet treatment - quartz treatment increases the production of vitamin D, and also helps to relieve pain and improve the function of the immune system;
- Magnetotherapy - electromagnetic fields at low frequencies increase the supply of useful substances to the diseased area, accelerate healing and increase blood flow;
- Laser therapy - laser can relieve spasms and pain, reduce inflammation, stimulate tissue repair processes;
- Ultrasound – ultrasonic vibrations help relieve pain, inflammation, and also promote better drug absorption.
Drug therapy
For this disease, drug treatment may include drugs for internal use and topical use.
Tablets for osteochondrosis allow you to:
- Reduce pain;
- Relieves inflammation;
- Relax your muscles;
- Improve local blood circulation;
- Restore metabolism;
- Strengthens tissue regeneration.
Symptomatic treatment is very important for this disease. First of all, take an analgesic. They allow you to get rid of the pain that sometimes accompanies every 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 immunomodulatory agents.
Local medicine for the treatment of this disease aims for the same effect as the internal one. Ointments, gels and creams to apply to the affected area may contain analgesics and NSAIDs, as well as chondroprotectors and other necessary agents.
People's recovery
Traditional medicine helps in the treatment of osteochondrosis long before all modern medicines were invented. Their effectiveness is not very 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:
- Radish leaves, sprinkled with boiling water, are applied to the diseased area - this relieves the symptoms of osteochondrosis, and regular procedures prevent the aggravation of the disease;
- Homemade cottage cheese compresses with a few drops of vinegar are used overnight to relieve symptoms of osteochondrosis in the chest or neck;
- Colored leaves and flowers of the coltsfoot plant are used to rub the affected area;
- Fresh rye flour cake is cooled slightly and applied to the sore spot to relieve inflammation and pain.
Offers traditional medicine and medicine for internal use. For thoracic osteochondrosis you can use:
- Four cloves of garlic and three limes poured with boiling water are taken on an empty stomach, one tablespoon at a time. Can not be used for gastritis and peptic ulcer;
- Decoction of lingonberry leaves at the rate of one tablespoon per liter of boiling water is taken instead of regular tea;
- Chocolate horse, boiled for ten minutes. Leave it for a few hours, after which you take a few huts 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 one tablespoon three times a day for a week and a half.
What should be done in case of an aggravation?
Exacerbation is the most difficult part of this disease. They are accompanied by a sharp and acute pain, which is called dorsago. It is very difficult to relieve severe pain and it is not always possible to do it yourself. Possible causes of aggravation:
- Hypothermia;
- Physical training;
- Excessive work, constant hard work;
- Exercise that is too active;
- Stress and other tensions of the nervous system.
What should a person do if he feels worse approaching? First of all, you need to make an appointment with a neurologist. He will diagnose your condition and prescribe the necessary treatment measures that will help eliminate the severity and minimize the symptoms. The severity of the disease is often accompanied by nausea, high-intensity headaches, limited mobility and general weakness.
Since this disease is closely related to breathing, severity 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 exacerbation.
Patients who experience exacerbations are referred to inpatient treatment, where they are transported by ambulance so that the patient does not have to move too much. During treatment, drugs that relieve muscle spasms are first 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 protrusion of the thoracic spine can cause pain in different parts of the back. If the protrusion is large, it can lead to serious problems and endanger the patient's life. The only way to get rid of an intervertebral hernia in this case is surgery.
To avoid such complications during the exacerbation of the disease, it is recommended to follow the rules:
- Maintain bed rest, minimal physical activity and unnecessary movement;
- Maintain a healthy diet;
- Compliance with all doctor's recommendations, taking prescribed medication;
- Massage and rub the affected area;
- On doctor's recommendation - exercise therapy;
- Rubbing gels, ointments and creams prescribed by the doctor to the chest and spine area;
- Attendance to physiotherapy procedures prescribed by your doctor.
Preventive measures
Thoracic osteochondrosis is an unpleasant disease that is best avoided. To reduce the risk of developing this disease, you must:
- Avoid lifting weights beyond normal limits;
- Protects the spine from hypothermia;
- Rest often 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 staying in one position, you need to adopt rules about conducting physical exercises. Office workers, drivers and other professionals who sit in one place for a long time need to get up frequently, change the position of the spine, and stretch their legs. If possible, during this physical minute one of the sets 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 stored in bones and cartilage tissue, causing their destruction.
It is better to sleep on an orthopedic mattress. If this is not possible, it is better to sleep on a hard surface than on a surface that is too soft. You can put a special board on the bed or sofa.