Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine is diagnosed less often than other forms of pathology. This is due to the anatomical features of the structure of the middle part of the human back. The intervertebral discs in this area move quite a bit. However, this anomaly still occurs and requires appropriate therapy.
Characteristics of the disease
This term refers to dystrophic and degenerative changes in the spine that lead to abnormalities in the structure of cartilage and bone tissue. According to ICD-10, the pathology is coded as follows: M42. Osteochondritis of the spine.
If you do not start treating the disease immediately, there is a risk of damaging the structure of the ligamentous apparatus, joints and intervertebral discs. Osteochondrosis often leads to atherosclerosis, malignant tumors, infertility and other disorders.
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Depending on the degree of destruction of the vertebrae, several stages of the development of the disease are distinguished:
- In the first degree of the disease, the discs lose their elasticity and their height decreases. Sometimes bumps or ridges are formed.
- Second-degree osteochondrosis is associated with a further decrease in the height of the discs and loss of their elasticity. At this stage, the instability of the chest region appears. This worsens the condition of the person and can cause a crack in the ring of the disk. This violation is fraught with the appearance of a hernia. Pain occurs at this stage. Neurological manifestations may also be present.
- Third-degree osteochondrosis is characterized by the appearance of intervertebral hernias. Symptoms of pathology depend on the size and localization of the formation.
- The fourth-degree disease is associated with the loss of the shock-absorbing properties of the discs. At this stage, convergence of the vertebrae, loss of spinal mobility, and pinching of blood vessels and nerves occur. This form of the disease is characterized by the destruction of the bones of the spine.
The reasons
The most common cause of thoracic osteochondrosis is lack of physical activity. This leads to a weakening of the muscle tissue and an increase in the load on the intervertebral discs.
In addition, the causes of pathology are:
- bad habits;
- posture disorders;
- genetic predisposition;
- hypodynamia;
- increased physical activity;
- spinal injuries;
- stressful situations.
Symptoms
This form of osteochondrosis has less pronounced manifestations than other types of the disease. The typical symptoms of the pathology are as follows:
- chest pains that worsen at night due to prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, hypothermia and increased stress;
- discomfort between the shoulder blades, which occurs when lifting or bending the limbs;
- increased discomfort during deep inhalation and exhalation;
- pain between the ribs when moving;
- tightness in the chest area.
As the pathology worsens, the pain syndrome is present for several weeks. In addition, the thoracic form of the disease has other manifestations:
- loss of sensitivity of certain areas of the skin, appearance of goosebumps;
- burning and itching, coldness in the lower limbs;
- fragility of nails and peeling of the skin;
- pain in the esophagus and pharynx;
- violation of the functions of the digestive organs.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis
To combat this violation, you need to take an integrated approach. Specific methods of therapy must be selected by the doctor, taking into account the clinical picture of the disease.
Medically
In the thoracic form of the disease, the following drug categories are most often used:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs. They help to cope with pain and eliminate swelling of soft tissues. In case of intercostal neuralgia, local dosage forms are prescribed in the form of ointments and creams.
- Anesthetics. It is injected into the spine to relieve pain and muscle spasm.
- Muscle relaxants. Such remedies eliminate painful muscle spasms.
- Antidepressants. These drugs eliminate the psycho-emotional stress that often accompanies osteochondrosis.
- B vitamins. Such drugs nourish the nerve fibers. This helps to cope with neurological disorders. Medicines containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis.
- Chondroprotectors. Such foundations help to stop the destruction of discs and normalize bone metabolism. It is recommended to inject directly into the paravertebral tissues.
exercise therapy and physiotherapy
You can reduce the frequency of exacerbations with the help of therapeutic exercises and gymnastics. To do this, it is recommended to perform the following movements:
- Sit on a chair, put your hands behind your head, inhale. Squeeze your shoulder blades together as you exhale. Do 10-15 repetitions.
- Get on all fours, gently arch your back and stay in this position. After a few seconds, bend up and lock in this position again. Do 15-20 repetitions.
- Lie on your back, raise your straight legs 20-30 cm, stay in this position for 20 seconds. Do 10 repetitions.
Physiotherapy is an effective therapeutic method. They have a local effect on the focus of pathology.
Thanks to the exercises, you can 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 take into account the extent of the disease and the existing symptoms. If the disease has an acute course and is accompanied by severe pain, therapy begins with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs.
The following plants have this effect:
- chamomile;
- sage;
- kanya tree;
- elecampane;
- Birch.
These plants can be brewed like traditional tea. To do this, take 1 tablespoon for 250 ml of boiling water. Take the composition 1 glass 2-3 times a day. To improve the taste of the drink, you can add a little honey.
What to do during an exacerbation
With the exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following recommendations should be followed:
- reduce physical activity - it is best to observe bed rest;
- eat properly;
- take the medicines prescribed by the doctor;
- perform gentle self-massage and rub problem areas;
- perform 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 developing dangerous consequences. These are the following:
- protrusion and intervertebral hernia;
- spinal cord compression;
- deviations in the work of internal organs - heart, liver, intestines, kidneys, pancreas;
- changes in the duodenum, intestinal motility disorders, dyskinesia of the gallbladder;
- intercostal neuralgia - irritation or compression of nerve fibers.
Prevention and prognosis
To avoid the appearance of thoracic osteochondrosis, follow the recommendations below:
- avoid static positions of the body - warm up regularly;
- choose a comfortable work chair;
- sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
- refuse to transport heavy objects;
- weight control;
- get physical therapy.
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, but you can stop its development. With the timely initiation of therapy, the pathology has a favorable prognosis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a serious disease accompanied by severe pain and can have dangerous health consequences. In order to cope with this violation of the law, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time.