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 middle-aged and sometimes younger people. And, although it is the least susceptible to injury of all parts of the chest, due to the mobility of the position of the vertebrae, this disease is increasingly common in men, women, and even children. That is why osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease whose symptoms and treatment are of interest to many.
What are the specific characteristics of the thoracic spine?
The thoracic spine does not bear as much load as the lumbar spine, and its mobility is less than that of the cervical spine. That is why the symptoms of osteochondrosis and other diseases appear in the later stages in the thoracic spine than in other parts of the spine. According to statistics, the thoracic spine is the least susceptible to injuries, damage and diseases, such as intervertebral hernia and vertebral displacement. However, there are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing disease and injury, for example, scoliosis and poor posture. In thoracic osteochondrosis, as in 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 of the thoracic region are distinguished:
- Chest pain occurs due to staying in one position for a long time - manifested by sudden movements or significant physical activity;
- Deep inhalation and exhalation causes pain and tightness in the middle back;
- When raising the arms and making sharp turns, a stable pain syndrome is observed;
- Moderate pain is constantly observed in the area of the shoulder blades;
- Certain parts of the body become numb and insensitive;
- Unreasonable tingling or chills;
- Itching or burning in the legs, a decrease in their temperature compared to the rest of the body;
- The disease causes side effects such as digestive disorders, intercostal neuralgia and problems in the reproductive sphere.
Depending on which symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region appear during the development of the disease, the disease can be confused with other, no less serious diseases, such as pneumonia, angina pectoris. Therefore, a comprehensive examination of the body is necessary for any of the indicated signs of osteochondrosis.
Pain in this disease is divided into two types:
- Dorsago - sharp pain of significant intensity, accompanied by a feeling of stiffness and obstruction of normal breathing;
- Dorsalgia – pain in the area of the intervertebral discs that lasts for a long time.
One of the most striking manifestations of the disease is pain in the epigastric region. Pain exacerbations occur regardless of the season, most often caused by food.
Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis
The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be different. Among the most common manifestations are the following:
- Pathologies of the structure of the intervertebral discs, including a hereditary tendency to develop spinal diseases;
- Thin intervertebral discs, hernias;
- Decreased quality of cartilage tissue;
- Circulation disorders that prevent blood flow to the spinal cord;
- Irrational loading of the spine, which causes degeneration of muscle tissue, cartilage or bones;
- Lack of vitamins and trace elements, primarily calcium;
- Constant physical activity;
- Sedentary lifestyle, working at a computer or driving a car;
- Injuries and other damage to the spine.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be started as soon as possible. Even if no manifestations in the form of significant pain are detected, this does not mean that the disease does not require treatment. The sooner the treatment starts, the easier and faster it will be. Modern medicine offers a wide range of methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis, and in combination with the methods of traditional medicine, 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. In order to accurately determine the cause of the disease, it is necessary not only to take a blood and urine test, but also to undergo an X-ray or MRI.
Once 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. The doctor treats osteochondrosis based on the patient's specific case.
Manual therapy
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis will be more complete if it includes manual therapy along with regular massage and physical education. It helps to get rid of increased muscle tone, relieve spasms, and also restore the normal position of the back muscles. A chiropractor can relieve back tension, release 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:
- Shockwave treatment is the effect of sound waves on the thoracic region. Improves metabolism, blood flow to the affected area, improves tissue regeneration and relieves pain;
- Detensor therapy – helps relieve the spine and relieve spasms under the influence of the patient's own weight;
- Electrotherapy – tissue heating using electric fields, delivering impulses to improve blood circulation and stimulate metabolism. Under the influence of electricity, drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis are more efficiently absorbed;
- Treatment with ultraviolet radiation - quartz treatment enhances the production of vitamin D, and also helps relieve pain and improve the functioning of the immune system;
- Magnetotherapy - a low-frequency electromagnetic field improves the supply of useful substances to the diseased area, accelerates healing and improves blood flow;
- Laser therapy – lasers can relieve spasms and pain, reduce inflammation, stimulate tissue regeneration processes;
- Ultrasound - ultrasound vibration helps relieve pain, inflammation, and also promotes better absorption of drugs.
Drug therapy
For this disease, drug treatment may include drugs for internal use and topical application.
Tablets for osteochondrosis allow you to:
- Reduce pain;
- Relieve inflammation;
- Relax your muscles;
- Improve local blood circulation;
- Restore metabolism;
- Strengthen tissue regeneration.
Symptomatic treatment is very important for this disease. First of all, take analgesics. 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.
Topical drugs for the treatment of diseases aim to have the same effect as internal ones. Ointments, gels and creams for application to the affected area may contain analgesics and NSAIDs, as well as chondroprotectors and other necessary means.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine helped in the treatment of osteochondrosis long before all modern drugs were invented. Their effectiveness is not so high, but side effects are absent or minimal. Folk remedies are an excellent addition to the main treatment, and as part of a complex therapy, they enable faster recovery.
Among the folk remedies are:
- Horseradish leaves, covered with boiling water, are applied to the affected area - this relieves the symptoms of osteochondrosis, and regular procedures prevent the disease from worsening;
- Overnight, a compress made of homemade cottage cheese with a few drops of vinegar is applied to resolve the symptoms of osteochondrosis in the chest or neck;
- A tincture of the leaves and flowers of the podbjel plant is used to rub the affected area;
- Cakes made from fresh rye flour are cooled slightly and applied to sore spots to relieve inflammation and pain.
It offers traditional medicine and medicines for internal use. For thoracic osteochondrosis, you can use:
- Four cloves of garlic and three crushed lemons poured with boiling water are taken on an empty stomach, one tablespoon each. It cannot be used for gastritis and peptic ulcer;
- Instead of ordinary tea, a decoction of cranberry leaves is taken in the amount of one tablespoon per liter of boiling water;
- Sorrel, boiled for ten minutes. Leave it for a couple of hours, after which you take a few lozenges 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 to do in case of deterioration?
Exacerbations are the most difficult part of this disease. They are accompanied by sharp and acute pain, which is called dorsago. It is very difficult to relieve such severe pain and it is not always possible to do it alone. The cause of exacerbation can be:
- hypothermia;
- Physical exercises;
- Overload, constant hard work;
- Too active training;
- Stress and other tensions of the nervous system.
What should a person do if he feels that he is getting worse? 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 aggravation and minimize its symptoms. Worsening of the disease is often accompanied by nausea, high-intensity headache, limited mobility and general weakness.
Since this disease is closely related to breathing, the deterioration can cause difficulties - deep inhalations and sharp exhalations become very painful. To reduce the number of muscle spasms, it is recommended to stay in bed during an exacerbation.
Patients with worsening disease 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 are first prescribed to relieve muscle spasms. Pain relievers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy are prescribed.
One of the most serious consequences of the exacerbation of the disease can be an intervertebral hernia. A slight bulge in the thoracic spine can lead to pain in different parts of the back. If the bump is large, it can lead to serious problems and endanger the patient's life. The only way to get rid of intervertebral hernia in this case is surgery.
To avoid such complications during the worsening of the disease, it is recommended to follow the rules:
- Maintain bed rest, minimal physical activity and unnecessary movements;
- Maintaining a healthy diet;
- Compliance with all doctor's recommendations, taking prescribed medications;
- Massage and rub the affected area;
- According to the doctor's recommendation - exercise therapy;
- Rubbing gels, ointments and creams prescribed by the doctor into the area of the chest and spine;
- Attending physiotherapy procedures prescribed by your doctor.
Prevention measures
Thoracic osteochondrosis is an unpleasant disease that is best avoided. To reduce the risk of developing the disease, you must:
- Avoid lifting weights beyond normal limits;
- Protects the spine from hypothermia;
- Rest regularly and avoid excessive fatigue;
- Make sure your posture is correct.
- Do not stay in the same position for a long time, especially if you are uncomfortable.
If your professional activity inevitably involves staying in one position, it is necessary to adopt a rule on performing physical exercises. Office workers, drivers and other professionals who sit in one place for a long time must regularly stand up, change the position of their spine and stretch their legs. If possible, during these physical minutes 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 deposited in bone and cartilage tissue, causing its destruction.
It is best to sleep on orthopedic mattresses. If this is not possible, it is better to sleep on hard than on too soft. You can place a special board on the bed or sofa.