Osteochondrosis is called damage to the bones and cartilage of different parts of the spine. In this article we will examine the features of this defect, in a situation where it appears in the chest region, the main symptoms and its treatment.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is the progression of damage of the degenerative-dystrophic nature of the tissue structures of the vertebrae, due to which they, as well as intervertebral discs and cartilage tissue, are gradually destroyed. There are other osteochondrosis, for example, cervical or lumbar. Compared to them, manifestations of chest pathology are rarer, since the spine in this part has less mobility and is additionally fixed due to the ribs. However, in some cases, the disease ends with disability, this happens as a result of the formation of intervertebral hernias. The only effective treatment in this case will be surgery. Most often, the disease affects people over the age of 35-40.
Due to the peculiarities of the placement, osteochondrosis of the chest region has less pronounced symptoms and is less likely to occur due to external influences. The main risk of developing pathology is a sedentary lifestyle, which is why the muscular skeleton of the back is much weaker. The main causes of the disease are:
- Back overload, which can occur both due to lifting heavy objects and carrying heels, as well as due to special physiological conditions, such as pregnancy, or congenital defects of the feet - flat feet.
- Inactivity, sedentary work, insufficient physical activity
- Scoliosis and other types of curvature of the spine in the thoracic region
- Back injury
- Having a bad attitude
- hereditary factors
- severe stress
Thoracic osteochondrosis ends with a strong thinning of the intervertebral discs, the formation of intervertebral hernias, the formation of growths from the connective tissue and the wear of the cartilaginous structures that form the vertebral joints.
The consequences of pathology often carry additional symptoms, when, for example, compression of spinal canals or blood arteries occurs. As well as various other manifestations that require additional complex treatment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest region
With the appearance of the disease in the chest, the appearance of symptoms often occurs when the spine is loaded, as well as due to sudden movements - when you turn or tilt the body.
Most often, there is a feeling of dull pain, which is localized between the shoulder blades, accompanied by a feeling that the sternum is squeezed. In the presence of a displacement of the lower ribs, they speak of a posterior costal syndrome, in which the pain manifests itself in the lower part of the chest and in the area of the scapula. In addition, pain often occurs if you try to feel the spine, where there is a pathology.
Such painful manifestations are usually attributed to one of two types:
- Strong, penetrating and sharp pains in the interscapular area, as well as in the ribs. It is called Dorsago and is characterized by increased curves and changes in body position. Usually, such pain is characteristic during exacerbations; symptomatic treatment is required for its relief.
- Dorsalgia is called a pain syndrome that appears gradually and lasts 7-20 days. The nature of the pain in this case is dull and soft, the place of manifestation is on the back at chest level. An increase in intensity is observed if you take a deep breath or bend over. In addition, shortness of breath can be felt, as well as spasms in the muscles around the affected area. The appearance of a symptom is usually provoked during a long stay in one position, for example, after a night's sleep.
Additional pathological conditions accompanying thoracic osteochondrosis will depend on the depth of their manifestation. For example, in a situation where the nerve endings passing through the vertebrae are tightly compressed, there will be a loss of sensation, which can affect tendon reflexes. In addition, with osteochondrosis of the chest region, there is often compression of the nerve endings responsible for the liver, heart, kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal organs, as a result of which some functions of these organs and systems are likely to be lost. the appearance of the corresponding symptoms of heaviness, tightness, pain.
Among the additional manifestations of the disease, there are often problems with normal breathing, localized pain:
- In the chest and on the left side of the heart
- Under the ribs on the right or left, which may raise suspicions of cholecystitis and other diseases
- In the throat, esophagus, stomach and intestines
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptomatic treatment is prescribed, in other words, it depends on which symptoms are more pronounced. For this, the doctor prescribes the following drugs:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Analgesics
- Local anesthetics, which are creams, ointments, patches
- Muscle relaxation during severe spasms
- vitamins
- Antidepressants
To stop the progression of the disease, various physiotherapy procedures are used, as well as dietary adjustments and vitamin intake. Some doctors supplement the treatment with drugs called chondroprotectors. They are valued for their ability to restore damaged cartilage and bones. However, the effectiveness of such funds does not have serious evidence, at the same time, their course lasts from 6 months and can be quite expensive. Based on this, taking these drugs should be agreed with the doctor, but it is better to get advice from several specialists.
As an additional treatment aimed at preventing future pathology, physiotherapy is used to promote the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Most often used:
- Shock wave, laser and magnetic therapy, as well as ultraviolet and electrophoresis
- Physiotherapy exercise complexes. Osteochondrosis is treated very effectively with the help of gymnastic exercises. Usually, the whole set of exercises is repeated several times a day, which helps to strengthen the muscles of the back and chest region and restore the mobility of the vertebrae. With the help of gymnastics, both treatment and prevention of the disease are carried out, a specific complex is selected by the attending physician. It is worth remembering that you can start the exercises only after the pain symptoms have stopped, and if any pain appears during the procedure, its intensity should be reduced.
- Massages that help to stretch the spine, intensify the material metabolism in the vertebrae and the elements around them
- Special diet to compensate for the lack of substances necessary for the restoration of cartilage tissue structures.
What to do with an aggravation?
Osteochondrosis of the chest region is a chronic disease, so it is characterized by periods when it gets worse. This usually happens after heavy physical exertion in the gym or at work, severe stress, accumulated fatigue. At this point, additional symptoms are possible:
- Headache bordering on migraine
- Nausea and vomiting
- dizziness
- strong weakness
- Difficulty in breathing
- Limited movement
Severe pain in the spine, associated with dorsago, with an aggravation, can hardly be stopped on its own. Moreover, the independent choice of a strong pain reliever is fraught with serious side effects, additional complications and treatment. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help during such a period, if it is not possible to visit a neurologist yourself, then you should call an ambulance. Pain symptoms are well removed in the hospital, with intramuscular injection of analgesics and the simultaneous use of local anesthesia.
If osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is in the acute phase, then the following treatment rules should be observed:
- You need to stay in bed, unloading the spine as much as possible
- Medications to be taken should be taken only as prescribed by the doctor.
- You can go to physiotherapy only with the doctor's permission.
- The diet must be adjusted
In the presence of a disc herniation, additional drug therapy is prescribed, as well as the wearing of a corset. If the hernia is large, then the only effective method of therapy will be to perform an operation, which is prescribed individually based on the results of the diagnosis.
prevention
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine often occurs in people of certain professions, so all those who, on the one hand, are engaged in heavy work related to lifting weights, on the other hand, are very inactive during the work process, shouldbe attentive to their posture, periodically strengthen the back muscles and give the vertebrae useful motor activity. Thus, the prevention of osteochondrosis involves performing a physical exercise several times a day. Do not give yourself excessive and independent massage.
In addition, it is important to change the diet in order to exclude products whose ingredients lead to degenerative processes and increased consumption of cartilage and bones. The diet should minimize the amount of salty, sweet, spices, spicy, fried. Food should be chosen natural, in which there are no preservatives and colors. Priority is given to vegetables, fruits, cereals, lean meat and fish, dairy products. To speed up salt metabolism, adults should drink at least two liters of liquid per day. It is better to refuse alcohol and coffee. In addition, it is important to prevent excess body weight, which increases the load on the vertebrae.
Another factor that helps prevent osteochondrosis of the chest region is healthy sleep. By "healthy" in this case we mean the position in which the body is. To minimize discomfort during sleep, it is better to use an individually selected pillow and orthopedic mattress.
The implementation of these measures will help to avoid the appearance of symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis and avoid long-term treatment.