Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine is diagnosed less often than other forms of this pathology. This is due to the anatomical features of the structure of the middle part of the human back. In this area, the intervertebral discs move quite a bit. However, this anomaly still occurs occasionally and requires adequate therapy.
Features of the disease
This term is understood as dystrophic and degenerative changes in the spine, which cause abnormalities in the structure of cartilage and bone tissues. According to ICD-10, the pathology is coded as follows: M42. Osteochondritis of the spine.
If you do not start treating the disease immediately, there is a risk of damage to the structure of the ligamentous apparatus, joints and intervertebral discs. Osteochondrosis often causes atherosclerosis, malignant tumors, infertility and other disorders.
stages
Depending on the level of destruction of the vertebrae, several stages of the development of the disease are distinguished:
- In first-degree disease, the discs lose their elasticity and their height decreases. Sometimes bumps or protrusions form.
- Secondary osteochondrosis is accompanied by a further decrease in the height of the discs and loss of elasticity. At this stage, the instability of the thoracic region appears. This worsens a person's condition and can cause a crack in the annulus of the disc. This violation is fraught with the appearance of a hernia. Pain occurs at this stage. Neurological manifestations may also occur.
- The appearance of intervertebral tears is characteristic for third-degree osteochondrosis. Symptoms of pathology depend on the size and localization of this formation.
- Fourth-degree disease is accompanied by loss of the shock-absorbing properties of the discs. At this stage, the convergence of the vertebrae, loss of mobility of the spine, compression of blood vessels and nerves is observed. This form of the disease is characterized by the destruction of the bones of the spine.
The reasons
Thoracic osteochondrosis most often occurs due to lack of physical activity. This leads to weakening of the muscle tissue and increases the load on the intervertebral discs.
In addition, the causes of the pathology are as follows:
- bad habits;
- posture disorders;
- genetic predisposition;
- hypodynamia;
- increased physical activity;
- spinal injuries;
- stressful situations.
Symptoms
This form of osteochondrosis is less common than other types of this disease. Characteristic signs of pathology include:
- increased chest pains at night due to prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position with hypothermia and increased stress;
- discomfort between the shoulder blades that occurs when lifting or bending the limbs;
- increased discomfort with deep inhalation and exhalation;
- pain between the ribs that occurs when moving;
- tightness in the chest.
With the exacerbation of the pathology, the pain syndrome lasts for several weeks. In addition, the chest form of the disease has additional manifestations:
- loss of sensitivity of some areas of the skin, the appearance of gases;
- burning sensation and itching, coldness in the lower extremities;
- fragility of nails and peeling of the skin;
- pain in the esophagus and pharynx;
- dysfunction of the digestive organs.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis
To deal with this breach, you need to provide an integrated approach. Special therapy methods should be selected by the doctor taking into account the clinical picture of the disease.
Medically
In the chest form of the disease, the following categories of drugs are most often used:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs. They help to cope with pain and relieve swelling of soft tissues. With intercostal neuralgia, local dosage forms are prescribed in the form of ointments and creams.
- Anesthetics. It is injected into the spine to relieve pain and muscle spasm.
- Muscle relaxants. Such remedies relieve painful muscle spasm.
- Antidepressants. These drugs often relieve psycho-emotional stress accompanying osteochondrosis.
- B vitamins. Such preparations nourish the nerve fibers. It helps to overcome neurological abnormalities. Agents containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis.
- Chondroprotectors. Such funds help to stop the destruction of discs and normalize bone metabolism. It is recommended to inject them directly into the paravertebral tissues.
exercise therapy and physiotherapy
You can reduce the frequency of exacerbations with the help of therapeutic exercises and gymnastics. To do this, it is recommended to perform the following actions:
- Sit in a chair, put your hands behind your head, breathe. Contract your shoulder blades as you inhale. Do 10-15 repetitions.
- Get on all fours, gently arch your back and stay in this position. After a few seconds, bend up and straighten in this position again. Do 15-20 repetitions.
- Lie on your back, raise your straight legs 20-30 cm. Stay in this position for 20 seconds. Do 10 repetitions.
Physiotherapy is an effective treatment method. They have a local effect on the focus of the pathology.
Thanks to exercises, it is possible to cope with pain and spasms, improve nutrition of tissues and normalize blood circulation. In the thoracic form of the pathology, magnetic therapy, laser exposure and electrophoresis are indicated.
Folk recipes
When choosing home remedies, be sure to consider the degree 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 drugs.
The following plants have this effect:
- chamomile;
- sage;
- viburnum;
- elecampane;
- birch.
These plants can be brewed like regular tea. To do this, take 1 tablespoon in 250 ml of boiling water. Take the composition 1 cup 2-3 times a day. You can add some honey to improve the taste of the drink.
What to do during an exacerbation
With exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following recommendations should be followed:
- reduce physical activity - it is better to observe bed rest;
- eating right;
- to take medicines prescribed by a doctor;
- do a gentle self-massage and rub problem areas;
- engage in therapeutic exercises if indicated;
- apply creams and ointments recommended by the doctor;
- use physical therapy.
Complications and consequences
If you do not start treatment on time, there is a risk of developing dangerous consequences. These include:
- protrusion and intervertebral hernia;
- spinal cord compression;
- deviations in the work of internal organs - heart, liver, intestines, kidneys, pancreas;
- lesions of the duodenum, intestinal motility disorders, gallbladder dyskinesia;
- intercostal neuralgia - irritation or compression of nerve fibers.
Prevention and prognosis
To prevent the appearance of thoracic osteochondrosis, you should follow these recommendations:
- avoid static position of the body - periodic warm-up;
- choose a comfortable work chair;
- sleeping on an orthopedic mattress;
- refuse to carry heavy objects;
- control body weight;
- engage in physical therapy.
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, but you can stop its development. With timely treatment, the pathology has a favorable prognosis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a serious disease that is accompanied by severe pain and can lead to dangerous health consequences. In order to overcome this violation, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time.