Osteochondrosis, which affects the thoracic spine, is often disguised as pathologies of internal organs.It is manifested by pain in the heart, shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air during inhalation, panic attacks.Therefore, the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is somewhat difficult.After its discovery, conservative treatment with the use of drugs, physiotherapy, and exercise therapy is carried out.And with severe damage to the infants and vertebrae, surgical intervention is required.
A brief description of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic spinal disease.At the initial stage of its development, intervertebral discs are slowly destroyed.They become thin, fragile, and radial cracks appear on their surface.To stabilize the bone tissues of the vertebrae with the formation of acute growths - osteophytes, which are affected by osteochondrosis of the thoracic segment.This causes a sharp restriction of mobility, compression of blood vessels and spinal roots.
Degree of pathology
The degree of osteochondrosis is a set of symptoms characteristic of a certain radiographic stage.
I degree
In X-ray pictures, no changes are usually found.But the intervertebral disc has already begun to collapse due to the inability to retain the moisture necessary to restore its tissues.Sometimes there are weak, uncomfortable sensations in the back, quickly disappearing after a short rest.
II degree
The fibrous ring becomes loose, fibrous.One of the cracks on the surface of the disk increases, a pulpoose core extends there.On x-rays, a decrease in the distance between adjacent vertebral bodies due to a decrease in the height of the disk is noticeable.As a result of constant compensatory muscle tension, the mobility of the thoracic region is limited, moderate painful sensations arise.
III degree
The integrity of the fibrous ring is violated, so the pulpoose nucleus is squeezed beyond its limits.A hernial protrusion is formed - the main cause of pronounced symptoms and severe complications of thoracic osteochondrosis.The bodies of the vertebrae are deformed, single osteophytes are formed. Pain in the thoracic region becomes constant, the volume of movements in the spine is significantly reduced.
IV degree
The growths of connective tissues, the formation of multiple osteophytes are clearly visible on X -ray images.Adjacent vertebral bodies are blocked, immobilized.Rine syndrome develops, often discogenic myelopathy occurs - compression of the spinal cord, dangerous with its irreversible consequences.A person can hardly serve himself in everyday life, loses the ability to fulfill professional duties.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Thoracic osteochondrosis in people older than 40-45 years develops due to the natural aging of the body: slowing down restoration reactions, reducing the production of collagen, which causes elasticity, and the strength of the ligaments.At a younger age, it occurs as a result of increased loads on the spine or against the background of pathologies that are already present in the body:
- rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, ankylosing spondylitis;
- endocrine and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, gout, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism;
- congenital and acquired anomalies, including kyphosis, scoliosis.
Premature destruction of the discs can provoke preceding spinal injuries, a sedentary lifestyle, and a lack of vitamins and trace elements in the body.
Characteristic signs and symptoms of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis develops gradually, at first showing itself.It is in this current that its danger is.A person takes weak pain and discomfort in the back for banal muscle fatigue after a hard working day, house or in the garden and does not seek medical help.Therefore, usually in patients, a pathology of 2-3 severity is diagnosed, which can hardly amenable to conservative treatment.
At the very beginning
During the exacerbation period, pathology can be manifested by pain between the blades that occur during tilting, rotation of the body.The volume of movements is reduced, there are many specific signs of relapse.
Pain in the chest
With osteochondrosis, pain in the chest first appear.They are fuzzy localized, can be given to their hands, to the clavicle, ribs.The pain in the heart is expressed strongly or moderately, resemble an attack of angina pectoris, are not eliminated by taking nitroglycerin.Sometimes they are similar to sensations that occur with exacerbation of cholecystitis, pancreatitis.But unlike the lesions of the pancreas or gall bladder, pain is not accompanied by increased gas formation, heartburn, and swelling of the abdomen.
Feeling in the chest
The pain between the shoulder blades is occasionally accompanied by a feeling of lack of air during inhalation.A person is expected to scare, not understanding the reasons for this state.Doctors recommend not panic, but to sit down and measure the pulse.If the resulting value does not exceed 100 beats per minute, then the probability of impaired lung or heart is extremely low.
Other symptoms
Gradually, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are aggravated by a disorder of sensitivity.There are sensations of numbness, tingling, crawling goosebumps.From time to time there are conditions resembling panic attacks.They are characterized by fear, increased heartbeat, excessive sweating, cold evaporates.If these symptoms are accompanied by pain, then it is necessary to take nitroglycerin and call a doctor.A similar set of symptoms may indicate myocardial infarction.
The spinal roots located in the thoracic region innervate the internal organs.With their irritation, compression, the work of the gastrointestinal tract, liver is upset.The peristalsis is disturbed, epigastric pain, heartburn, belching occur.
Signs in the subacute stage
After exacerbation, the subacute stage of the course of thoracic osteochondrosis occurs.Soreness and breathing problems are preserved, but they are much less intense.A person no longer searches for a long position of a body in which pain is not felt.The duration of the subacute stage is up to two weeks.
Remission
At the stage of remission, weak discomfort when changing weather or hypothermia may occur.Acute pain appears only with osteochondrosis of 2-4 severity due to a too sharp rotation or tilt of the body.Exacerbations of chronic pathologies, stress, increased physical activity, prolonged finding in one position of the body are able to provoke the next relapse.
The principles of diagnosis of the disease
The neurologist makes an initial diagnosis on the basis of patient complaints, anamnesis data.During an external examination, it detects in the area of the thoracic point of the point, when pressed on which pain occurs.Conducting functional tests allows you to evaluate the safety of reflexes, to identify sensitivity disorders.Of the instrumental methods, radiography is most informative.But for a detailed study of the spinal segment, CT, MRI can be carried out.To exclude diseases of the cardiovascular system, patients are prescribed ECG.
How to treat breast osteochondrosis
Only an integrated approach to treatment will allow you to get rid of all symptoms of osteochondrosis, slow down or completely stop its spread to healthy discs and vertebrae.In the pathology of 1-2 degrees of severity, conservative methods of therapy are used.Osteochondrosis of the 3-4 degree is characterized by the formation of large hernias.To eliminate the compression of blood vessels and spinal roots, surgical treatment may be required.
Drugs
At the initial stage, funds for parenteral administration are usually used that quickly have a therapeutic effect.A few days later, injection solutions are replaced with safer tablets, ointments, and patchings.
Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs have a pronounced analgesic, anti -inflammatory, decongestant effect.To stop acute pain allows intramuscular administration of solutions.To eliminate weak, uncomfortable sensations between the shoulder blades are used for local application.And with moderate pains, NSAIDs are well handled for oral administration.
Musorelaxants
To eliminate muscle cramps arising in response to severe pain, muscle relaxants are used.Most often, the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis begins with intramuscular administration of the drug, which, in addition to the musorelaxant, includes an anesthetic.
Chondroprotectors
With a pathology of the 1st degree of severity of the course of chondroprotectors, it helps to restore damaged discs.In other cases, they are prescribed to improve metabolism in the affected segment of the spine, the prevention of the progression of the disease.
B vitamins B vitamins
Their use helps to increase blood flow, improve the work of the peripheral nervous system, restore trophism and innervation.A complex of B vitamins has a favorable effect on degenerative diseases of the nerves and motor apparatus.
Medical physical education
With thoracic osteochondrosis of the 1st degree, daily exercises of physiotherapy exercises allow you to do without the use of drugs.Recovery occurs by strengthening muscles, improving the blood supply to tissue with nutrients.In other cases, charging and regular training help to prevent the involvement in the destructive process of healthy vertebrates, extend the stage of remission.
Complex from the position of standing
In the standing position, the following healing exercises are most therapeutically effective:
- put your palms on your shoulders, lean forward, while raising bent legs at the same time, as if trying to get the opposite knee with your elbow;
- Raise up the left hand, lean to the right.Perform the exercise in the opposite direction;
- Stand your legs shoulder -width apart, Raise your hands.Lean forward, touching the palm of the opposite foot.
The number of repetitions is 10-12 times in 2-3 approaches.
From the position of lying down
To perform these exercises, you will need a gymnastic rug or a dense, folded double blanket:
- lie on the stomach, simultaneously raise your arms and legs;
- lying on the back, lift the upper body, stretch with the palms to the footsteps;
- Lying on the back, bend one leg, start it behind another, trying to touch the floor surface with a knee.
Each exercise must be performed 7-10 times.
From the situation sitting
When performing such exercises, sharp, high -amplitude movements should be avoided, including twisting:
- sitting on the floor, reaching forward, trying to touch the palm of the opposite foot;
- sitting on a chair or stool, stretch your arms forward and slowly turn from side to side;
- Sitting on the floor, clasp the knee with your hands, pull it as close as possible to the chest.
In the first classes, repeat exercises 5-7 times, after about a month-15-20 times.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, magnetotherapy, laser therapy, UHF therapy, sinusoidal currents, shock wave therapy, paraffin and mountain wax are used.With exacerbations, electrophoresis, ultrafonophoresis with glucocorticosteroids, anesthetics, group B vitamins, chondroprotectors are carried out.
Massage
Massage performed by a specialist helps to eliminate soreness between the shoulder blades, relax the spasmodic skeletal muscles.
With osteochondrosis, all types of massage are therapeutically effective - classic, vacuum, acupunctural, connective tissue.At home, self -massage is convenient to perform using a wooden or electric massager with a long handle.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture - the method of treating pathology by installing needles in bioactive points on the human body.They are thin, short, so when piercing the skin occasionally, only weak, uncomfortable sensations arise.But even such an effect is enough for the production of substances in the body with an analgesic and anti -inflammatory effect.
Nutrition
Nutritionists recommend that patients with breast osteochondrosis abandon fatty meat, rich soups, smoked meats, home and factory marinades.The amount of salt that provokes edema formation should be limited in nutrition.Every day you need to drink about 2.5 liters of liquid - water, vegetable juices, berry fruit drinks, fruit compotes.
Folk remedies
Celery root
Peel the large root of celery, grind on a fine grater, squeeze the juice.Add 100 g of felled fresh celery greenery.Take 3 tablespoons up to 4 times a day during meals to cleanse vertebral structures from deposits of harmful salts.
Sunflower root
Pour a teaspoon of dry crushed sunflower roots with a glass of hot water.Bring to a boil, simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, cool under the lid, strain.Drink at 3-4 doses during the day.
Home ointment
In a mortar, grind along a tablespoon of a gum turpentine and thick honey, add 2 drops of juniper, rosemary, eucalyptus essential oils.Introduce small portions of 100 g of medical petroleum jelly.Stir, transfer to a jar, store in the refrigerator, rub in the back with pain.
Prevention and forecast
The prognosis is favorable with timely detection of the disease, conducting competent, complex treatment.If complications of breast osteochondrosis have developed, then only compliance with all medical recommendations will achieve stable remission.
As a prevention of pathology, neurologists recommend excluding the factors provoking it from the usual lifestyle.This is excess weight, low motor activity, deficiency of vitamins and trace elements, excessive loads on the spine.