Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine is diagnosed less often than other forms of this pathology. This is due to the anatomical characteristics of the structure of the middle part of the human back. The intervertebral disc in this area moves quite a bit. However, this anomaly still occasionally occurs and requires adequate therapy.
Characteristics of the disease
This term is understood as dystrophic and degenerative changes in the spine, which lead to abnormalities in the structure of cartilage and bone tissue. According to ICD-10, pathology is coded as follows: M42. Osteochondritis of the spine.
If you do not immediately start treatment of this disease, there is a risk of violation of the structure of ligaments, joints and intervertebral discs. Often osteochondrosis leads to atherosclerosis, malignant tumors, infertility and other disorders.
level
Depending on the degree of destruction of the vertebrae, several stages of the development of the disease are distinguished:
- In the disease of the first stage, the disc loses its elasticity, its height decreases. Sometimes protrusions, or protrusions, are formed.
- Osteochondrosis of the second degree is accompanied by a further decrease in the height of the disc and loss of its elasticity. At this stage, instability of the thoracic region appears. This worsens a person's condition and can trigger a crack in the disc annulus. This violation is fraught with the appearance of a hernia. At this stage, pain occurs. Neurological manifestations may also be present.
- For osteochondrosis of the third degree, the appearance of intervertebral hernia is characteristic. Pathological symptoms depend on the size and localization of these formations.
- Fourth-degree disease is accompanied by loss of the shock-absorbing properties of the disc. At this stage, there is convergence of vertebrae, loss of spinal mobility, pinching of blood vessels and nerves. This form of the disease is characterized by the destruction of the spinal bones.
The reasons
Thoracic osteochondrosis is most often caused by a lack of physical activity. This leads to muscle tissue weakness and leads to increased load on the intervertebral disc.
In addition, pathological causes include the following:
- bad habits;
- posture disorders;
- genetic predisposition;
- hypodynamia;
- increased physical activity;
- spinal cord injury;
- stressful situation.
symptoms
This form of osteochondrosis has less obvious manifestations than other types of this disease. Characteristic symptoms of pathology include the following:
- chest pain that increases at night due to staying for a long time in an uncomfortable position, with hypothermia and increased pressure;
- discomfort between the shoulder blades that occurs when lifting a limb or bending over;
- increased discomfort with inhalation and deep breathing;
- pain between the ribs that occurs when moving;
- tightness in the chest area.
With the severity of the pathology, the pain syndrome is present for several weeks. In addition, there are additional manifestations of the chest form of this disease:
- loss of sensitivity of some areas of the skin, the appearance of goosebumps;
- burning sensation and itching, coldness in the lower part of the legs;
- nail fragility and skin peeling;
- pain in the esophagus and pharynx;
- violation of the function of the digestive organs.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis
To overcome these violations, you need to provide an integrated approach. Specific therapeutic methods should be chosen by the doctor, taking into account the clinical picture of the disease.
Medically speaking
In the chest form of this disease, the following categories of drugs are most often used:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs. They help relieve pain and relieve soft tissue swelling. With intercostal neuralgia, local dosage forms are prescribed in the form of ointments and creams.
- Anesthetic. They are injected into the spine to relieve pain and muscle spasms.
- Relax the muscles. Such drugs relieve painful muscle spasms.
- Antidepressant. These drugs relieve the psycho-emotional stress that often accompanies osteochondrosis.
- Vitamin B. These drugs provide nutrition to nerve fibers. This helps overcome neurological abnormalities. In the treatment of osteochondrosis, agents containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used.
- Chondroprotectors. Such funds help stop disc destruction and normalize bone metabolism. They are recommended to be injected directly into the paravertebral tissue.
exercise 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 on a chair, put your hands behind your head, take a breath. As you exhale, contract your shoulder blades. Do 10-15 repetitions.
- Standing on all fours, slowly arch your back and stay in that position. After a few seconds, bend and fix in this position again. Do 15-20 repetitions.
- Lying on your back, lift your straight leg by 20-30 cm. Stay in this position for 20 seconds. Do 10 repetitions.
Physiotherapy is an effective method of therapy. They have a local effect on the pathological focus.
Thanks to training, it is possible to overcome pain and spasms, improve tissue nutrition and normalize blood circulation. In the form of thoracic pathology, magnetic therapy, laser exposure, and electrophoresis are indicated.
Folk recipes
When choosing a home remedy, make sure you take into account the level 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 analgesic preparations.
The following plants have this effect:
- chamomile;
- wise;
- viburnum;
- elecampane;
- Birch.
This plant can be brewed like regular tea. To do this, take 1 tablespoon per 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 to it.
What to do during an exacerbation
With exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following recommendations should be followed:
- reduce physical activity - it is best to pay attention to sleep;
- eat right;
- take medication prescribed by a doctor;
- do a gentle self-massage and rub the problem areas;
- engage in therapeutic exercises if indicated;
- rub creams and ointments recommended by the doctor;
- using physical therapy.
Complications and consequences
If you do not start therapy on time, there is a risk of experiencing dangerous consequences. This includes the following:
- protrusion and intervertebral hernia;
- spinal cord compression;
- irregularities in the work of internal organs - heart, liver, intestines, kidneys, pancreas;
- duodenal lesions, intestinal motility disorders, gallbladder dyskinesia;
- intercostal neuralgia - irritation or compression of nerve fibers.
Prevention and prognosis
To avoid the appearance of thoracic osteochondrosis, you need to follow these recommendations:
- avoid static positions of the body - warm up regularly;
- choose a comfortable work chair;
- sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
- refuse to carry heavy objects;
- control weight;
- involved in physical therapy.
It is impossible to completely cure this disease, but you can stop its progression. With the timely initiation of therapy, pathology has a favorable prognosis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a serious disease that is accompanied by severe pain and can lead to dangerous health consequences. To overcome this violation, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time.