Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine is diagnosed less often than other forms of this pathology. This is due to the anatomical features of the structure of the middle part of the human back. Intervertebral discs in this area move quite a bit. However, this anomaly still occasionally occurs and requires appropriate therapy.
characteristics of the disease
This term refers to dystrophic and degenerative changes in the spine, leading to abnormalities in the structure of cartilage and bone tissue. According to ICD-10, the pathology is coded as follows: M42. Osteocondritis of the spine.
If you do not immediately start treating the disease, there is a risk of damaging the structure of the ligamentous apparatus, joints and intervertebral discs. Often osteochondrosis leads to atherosclerosis, malignant tumors, infertility and other disorders.
stages
Depending on the degree of destruction of the vertebrae, several stages of the development of the disease are distinguished:
- With the disease of the first degree, the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity, their height decreases. Sometimes protrusions or projections are formed.
- Osteochondrosis of the second degree is accompanied by a further decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs and the loss of their elasticity. At this stage, instability of the chest region occurs. This worsens a person's condition and can cause a rupture in the annulus of the disc. This violation is fraught with the appearance of a hernia. At this stage, pain appears. Neurological manifestations may also be present.
- For osteochondrosis of the third degree, the appearance of intervertebral hernias is characteristic. The symptoms of the pathology depend on the size and localization of this formation.
- Fourth degree disease is associated with a loss of the shock-absorbing properties of the intervertebral discs. At this stage, there is a convergence of the vertebrae, a loss of mobility of the spine, pinching of blood vessels and nerves. This form of the disease is characterized by destruction of the bones of the spine.
The reasons
Thoracic osteochondrosis is most often caused by a lack of exercise. This leads to a weakening of muscle tissue and leads to increased stress on the intervertebral discs.
In addition, the causes of pathology include the following:
- Bad habits;
- postural disorders;
- genetic predisposition;
- hypodynamia;
- increased physical activity;
- spinal injuries;
- stressful situations.
symptoms
This form of osteochondrosis has less pronounced manifestations than other types of this disease. The characteristic symptoms of the pathology include:
- Chest pains that increase at night due to a long stay in an uncomfortable position with hypothermia and increased stress;
- Discomfort between the shoulder blades that occurs when lifting or bending limbs;
- increased discomfort with deep inhalations and exhalations;
- Pain between the ribs that occurs when moving;
- tightness in the chest area.
With an exacerbation of the pathology, the pain syndrome is present for several weeks. In addition, there are additional manifestations of the breast form of the disease:
- loss of sensitivity of some areas of the skin, the appearance of goose bumps;
- burning and itching, feeling cold in the lower extremities;
- fragility of the nails and peeling of the skin;
- pain in the esophagus and throat;
- Violations of the functions of the digestive organs.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis
To deal with this violation, you need to deploy an integrated approach. Specific methods of therapy should be selected by the doctor taking into account the clinical picture.
Medical
In the breast form of the disease, the following categories of drugs are most often used:
- anti-inflammatory drugs. They help to cope with pain and eliminate swelling of soft tissues. With intercostal neuralgia, local dosage forms are prescribed in the form of ointments and creams.
- anesthetics. They are injected into the spine to eliminate pain and muscle spasms.
- muscle relaxants. Such funds eliminate painful muscle spasms.
- antidepressants. These drugs eliminate the psycho-emotional stress that often accompanies osteochondrosis.
- B vitamins Such drugs provide nutrients to the nerve fibers. This helps to cope with neurological abnormalities. In the treatment of osteochondrosis, funds containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used.
- chondroprotectors. Such funds help stop the destruction of intervertebral discs and normalize bone metabolism. It is recommended to inject directly into the paravertebral tissue.
movement therapy and physiotherapy
With the help of therapeutic exercises and gymnastics, you can reduce the frequency of exacerbations. To do this, it is recommended to perform the following movements:
- Sit in a chair, put your hands behind your head, breathe in. As you exhale, squeeze your shoulder blades together. Do 10-15 repetitions.
- Get on all fours, gently arch your back and stay in this position. After a few seconds, bend up and fix yourself in this position again. Do 15-20 repetitions.
- Lie on your back, raise your straight legs by 20-30 cm and stay in this position for 20 seconds. Do 10 repetitions.
Physiotherapy is an effective therapy method. They have a local effect on the focus of pathology.
Thanks to the exercises, it is possible to cope with pain and spasms, improve tissue nutrition and normalize blood circulation. In the thoracic form of the pathology, magnetic therapy, laser exposure and electrophoresis are indicated.
folk recipes
When choosing home remedies, be sure to consider the degree of the disease and the symptoms present. In the case of an acute course of the disease and severe pain, therapy begins with anti-inflammatory and analgesic preparations.
The following plants have this effect:
- Chamomile;
- Sage;
- snowball;
- elecampane;
- Birch.
These plants can be brewed like regular tea. To do this, take 1 tablespoon in 250 ml of boiling water. Take the composition of 1 glass 2-3 times a day. To improve the taste of the drink, you can add a little honey.
What to do in case of an exacerbation
With an exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following recommendations should be observed:
- reduce physical activity - it is best to observe bed rest;
- EAT properly;
- take medications prescribed by the doctor;
- do a gentle self-massage, rubbing problem areas;
- do therapeutic exercises if necessary;
- rub in the creams and ointments recommended by the doctor;
- use physical therapy.
complications and consequences
If you do not start therapy on time, there is a risk of dangerous consequences. These include the following:
- protrusion and intervertebral hernia;
- spinal cord compression;
- Deviations in the work of internal organs - heart, liver, intestines, kidneys, pancreas;
- Lesions of the duodenum, disorders of intestinal motility, dyskinesia of the gallbladder;
- Intercostal neuralgia - irritation or compression of nerve fibers.
Prevention and prognosis
In order to avoid the occurrence of thoracic osteochondrosis, you must follow these recommendations:
- avoid a static position of the body - regularly warm up;
- choose a comfortable work chair;
- sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
- refuse to carry heavy objects;
- control body weight;
- do physical therapy.
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, but you can stop its development. With a timely start of therapy, the pathology has a favorable prognosis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a serious condition that is associated with severe pain and can lead to dangerous health consequences. To cope with this injury, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner.