Osteochondrosis - dystrophic and degenerative changes in cartilage and bone tissues. Osteochondrosis of the spine can occur in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. The progression of the disease leads to the destruction of the ligaments, the structure of the joints, the intervertebral discs.
Osteochondrosis of the spine in the chest area is not common. This is due to the peculiarities of its structure. Its mobility is less than that of the cervical and lumbar spine. Part of the load is borne by the ribs and sternum. The danger of pathology in the difficulty of its diagnosis. The symptoms are similar to other diseases, they are recognized relatively late, which complicates the treatment process.
The causes of the disease
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis is associated with metabolic disorders and increased stress on the intervertebral discs. Inside the intervertebral disc is the nucleus pulposus, which is surrounded by the annulus fibrosus. If damaged, the core dries out and the amortization properties are lost. The result of degenerative processes is inflammation and jamming of the nerve fibers of the spinal cord.
The causes of osteochondrosis can be:
- Inheritance;
- Intervertebral hernia;
- the presence of osteophytes;
- poor blood supply to the spinal cord due to hemostasis;
- violation of mineral metabolism (especially calcium deficiency);
- Curvature of the spine, which causes uneven loading of the intervertebral discs;
- Trauma in the chest area from fall, bruise, impact;
- Weight training, regular weight lifting;
- passive lifestyle.
Symptoms and sensations in osteochondrosis of the chest
Several factors affect the clinical picture of the pathology:
- the extent of damage to the spine;
- the age of the patient;
- Stage of the pathological process (exacerbation or remission).
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the breast are characterized by diversity and non-specificity, so the disease is often confused with other pathologies.
The main signs of breast osteochondrosis:
- Dorsago - a sharp, sudden pain in the chest and back ("lumbago in the chest"), the patient feels short of breath.
- Dorsalgia is a mild pain in the affected vertebrae that gradually develops over several weeks. The pain may increase with deep breaths, bending to the side, forward, and prolonged standing in a static position.
The feeling of severe girdle pain and difficulty breathing are associated with intercostal neuralgia, in which the nerve roots are compressed. The pain intensity usually increases in the afternoon and decreases again after a night's sleep.
Neurological symptoms include:
- violation of limb sensitivity;
- Numbness of the heart muscle;
- Pulmonary syndrome;
- Tingling, burning, numbness of the skin;
- Twitching and muscle spasms;
- a feeling of the presence of a foreign body in the pharynx, if the osteochondrosis is localized in the upper thoracic segment.
Intercostal neuralgia is an accompanying symptom of degenerative-inflammatory diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis, vertebral displacement, scoliosis). However, its appearance resembles signs of various diseases of the peritoneal organs and the thoracic region.
Notice!Often pain occurs in the upper zones of the chest area, gradually covering it completely, as well as in the area of the shoulder blades (reminiscent of angina pectoris). Pain in the right hypochondrium occurs with osteochondrosis of the middle region of the chest. They can be diagnosed as pancreatitis or cholecystitis. Pain in the gastrointestinal tract occurs with lesions of the lower segment of the thoracic spine that mimic an intestinal disease.
Stages of development of the disease
The degree of development of the disease is associated with pathological diseases of the spine, which are characterized by certain clinical symptoms.
There are 4 stages in the development of the disease:
- 1 degree- the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring, into which the liquid of the nucleus pulposus penetrates. A pain syndrome occurs, localized only in the affected area. Pain in the heart muscle and muscle cramps may occur.
- 2 degrees- there is abnormal mobility between the vertebrae, subluxations are noticeable in the chest area. With longer static posture or movement, discomfort and increased pain can be felt.
- 3rd grade- Rupture of the annulus fibrosus that extends beyond the nucleus pulposus. Intervertebral hernias form. This leads to severe belt pain, reduced mobility, and other symptoms.
- 4 degrees- pathological processes go beyond the spine. With degenerative-dystrophic changes, the paravertebral ligaments are involved, fibrosis develops.
diagnosis
The X-ray is very revealing. The presence of a pathology is indicated by:
- uneven disc edges;
- Enlargement and sharpening of the uncinate process;
- Decrease in the height of the discs, deformation of their shape;
- the presence of osteophytes.
Sometimes an X-ray contrast exam is done. The contrast agent fills the destroyed intervertebral disc, which allows to determine the degree of neglect of the pathological process. MRI and computed tomography are considered to be no less revealing.
Effective treatments
How to treat osteochondrosis of the chest region? The therapeutic approach must be comprehensive. It is necessary to take into account the stage of development of the disease, the degree of destructive processes and the general condition of the patient.
Drug therapy
Several groups of drugs are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the breast.
- NSAIDs and muscle relaxants;
- Glucocorticosteroids. Their therapeutic effect is more pronounced than that of NSAIDs, but the risk of side effects is higher.
- Chondroprotectors. It is believed that chondroprotective agents help regulate damaged cartilage tissue. However, their effectiveness has not been conclusively confirmed.
- Diuretics are used briefly to relieve the swelling of constricted nerve fibers during an exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Folk remedies and recipes
It is used more often during the remission of the disease and only as an additional method of treatment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home with traditional medicine:
- Pour 30-40 g of chopped celery root with 1 liter of boiling water. Insist on 8 hours. Drink 1 tablespoon three times a day.
- Melt 150 g pork fat with steam. Add 2 tablespoons of wax. Warm up for 15 minutes. Add 1 spoon of ammonia. Rub the problem areas twice a day. Store it in a cold place.
Massage and exercise therapy
One of the most effective therapeutic measures for osteochondrosis is massage. It helps to get rid of muscle spasms, improve blood flow to the problem area and normalize the functional state of the spine. If the disease worsens, vibration massage is recommended. After the clinical manifestations subsided, you can attend a classic massage.
Massage is not recommended for Grade 3 thoracic osteochondrosis if there is an intervertebral hernia. This can make the patient's condition worse.
The aim of physiotherapy and gymnastics for osteochondrosis is to improve the mobility of the intervertebral joints, to strengthen the muscular body. Exercise therapy allows you to relieve muscle spasms and remove stiffness in the spine. Classes should be conducted daily under the supervision of an experienced teacher. Your plan is created individually for each patient.
Performance characteristics
The main principles of proper nutrition in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the breast:
- a large amount of protein in the diet;
- Exclusion of fat and fried foods;
- Food should be boiled or baked.
Salt should be excluded from the diet or significantly restricted. Avoid carbonated and caffeinated drinks. It is better to replace them with herbal teas and natural juices. To improve the synthesis of cartilage tissue, it is useful to include in the diet jellies, jellies, jellies containing chondroitin. To get enough calcium for bone health, you need to eat dairy products. Adherence to proper nutrition prevents the progression of the pathological process.
Preventive measures
To prevent the development and exacerbation of destructive processes in the thoracic spine, it is recommended to take preventive measures at an early stage and to monitor them regularly.
Recommendations:
- do special exercises for the back every day;
- Give up addictions;
- eat right and balanced;
- Normalize weight;
- when doing sedentary work 10 minutes per hour you need to warm up;
- Swimming, aqua aerobics;
Thoracic osteochondrosis is not very common compared to the cervical and lumbar spine. But it is no less dangerous in its consequences for the body. Due to the similarity of symptoms with other pathologies, it is quite difficult to identify it in the early stages. Therefore, it is important to constantly monitor the health of the spine and take all measures to prevent pathological destruction.