Cervical and thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed less frequently than other forms of this pathology. This is due to the anatomical features of the mid-back structure of the human body. The discs in this area move a lot. However, this abnormality still occurs occasionally and requires appropriate treatment.
Disease characteristics
The term is understood as dystrophic and degenerative changes in the spine, resulting in structural abnormalities of cartilage and bone. According to ICD-10, the pathology code is as follows: M42. Spinal osteochondritis.
If you don't start treating the disease right away, there is a risk of invading ligaments, joints, and disc structures. Osteochondrosis often leads to atherosclerosis, malignancy, infertility, and other diseases.
stage
Depending on the degree of destruction of the vertebrae, several stages of the development of the disease can be distinguished:
- In first-degree disease, the disc loses its elasticity and decreases in height. Sometimes bumps or protrusions form.
- Secondary osteochondrosis is accompanied by a further reduction in disc height and loss of elasticity. During this phase, instability in the thoracic region occurs. This can make a person's condition worse and can cause the disc ring to rupture. This infraction is rife with the appearance of hernias. During this stage, pain occurs. Nervous system manifestations may also be present.
- In third-degree osteochondrosis, the presence of an intervertebral hernia is characteristic. Pathological symptoms depend on the size and localization of this formation.
- Fourth-degree disease is accompanied by a loss of the cushioning properties of the disc. During this phase, the vertebrae converge, the spine loses mobility, and blood vessels and nerves are pinched. The disease is characterized by the destruction of the bones of the spine.
reason
The most common cause of thoracic osteochondrosis is physical inactivity. This causes the muscle tissue to weaken and cause increased load on the disc.
In addition, the causes of pathology include the following:
- bad habits;
- Postural disturbance;
- genetic susceptibility;
- Lack of motivation;
- increase physical activity;
- spinal cord injury;
- stressful situation.
symptom
This form of osteochondrosis is less pronounced than other types of this disease. Characteristic symptoms of pathology include:
- Increased chest pain at night due to prolonged periods of uncomfortable posture, hypothermia and increased stress;
- Discomfort between the shoulder blades that occurs when you lift your limbs or bend;
- Increased discomfort with deep inhalation and exhalation;
- pain between the ribs that occurs when moving;
- Tightness in the chest area.
The pain syndrome persists for several weeks as the pathology worsens. In addition, the thoracic form of the disease has other manifestations:
- Loss of sensitivity in certain areas of the skin and goose bumps;
- burning and itching, chills in the lower extremities;
- brittle nails and peeling skin;
- esophagus and throat pain;
- Violation of the function of the digestive organs.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis
To deal with this violation, you need to provide a comprehensive approach. Physicians should choose specific treatments based on the clinical condition of the disease.
medically
In the thoracic form of the disease, the following classes of drugs are used most often:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs. They help relieve pain and eliminate soft tissue swelling. For intercostal neuralgia, topical dosage forms are prescribed in the form of ointments and creams.
- Anesthetic. They are injected into the spine to eliminate pain and muscle spasms.
- Muscle relaxant. Such remedies eliminate painful muscle spasms.
- Antidepressants. These drugs remove the psycho-emotional stress that often accompanies osteochondrosis.
- B vitamins. These drugs provide nutrients to nerve fibers. This helps with nervous system abnormalities. In the treatment of osteochondrosis, medicines containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used.
- chondroprotective agent. These funds help stop the destruction of the intervertebral disc and normalize bone metabolism. It is recommended to inject them directly into the paravertebral tissue.
Exercise Therapy and Physical Therapy
With the help of therapeutic exercises and gymnastics, you can reduce the frequency of exacerbations. For this purpose, the following actions are recommended:
- Sit in a chair, put your hands behind your head, and inhale. As you exhale, contract your shoulder blades. Repeat 10-15 times.
- Get on all fours, slightly arch your back and hold in that position. After a few seconds, bend again and hold in this position. Repeat 15-20 times.
- Lie on your back with your legs straight 20-30 cm and hold this position for 20 seconds. Do 10 repetitions.
Physical therapy is an effective treatment method. They have local effects on the pathological focus.
Thanks to these exercises, it is possible to cope with pain and cramps, improve tissue nutrition and normalize blood circulation. In the thoracic form of pathology, magnetic therapy, laser irradiation and electrophoresis are required.
folk recipes
When choosing home remedies, be sure to consider the extent of the disease and the symptoms present. If the disease has an acute course with severe pain, treatment begins with anti-inflammatory and analgesic preparations.
The following plants have this effect:
- chamomile;
- wise;
- viburnum;
- incense;
- birch.
These plants can be brewed like regular tea. To do this, take 1 tablespoon per 250 ml of boiling water. Take 1 cup of ingredients 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 attack
As thoracic osteochondrosis worsens, the following recommendations should be followed:
- Reduce physical activity - bed rest is best observed;
- a reasonable diet;
- taking medicines prescribed by a doctor;
- Perform a gentle self-massage and rub the problem area;
- Perform therapeutic exercises if needed;
- Apply ointments and ointments recommended by your doctor;
- Use physical therapy.
Complications and consequences
There is a risk of dangerous consequences if you do not start treatment in time. These include:
- Herniation and intervertebral hernia;
- spinal cord compression;
- Deviation of the work of internal organs - heart, liver, intestines, kidneys, pancreas;
- Duodenal lesions, peristalsis disorders, gallbladder motility disorders;
- Intercostal neuralgia - irritation or compression of nerve fibers.
prevention and prognosis
To avoid developing thoracic osteochondrosis, you need to follow these recommendations:
- Avoid static positions of the body - warm up regularly;
- Choose a comfortable work chair;
- sleeping on an orthopaedic mattress;
- refuse to carry heavy objects;
- Weight control;
- engage in physical therapy.
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, but you can stop it from developing. If treatment is started in time, the pathological prognosis is good.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a serious condition that is accompanied by severe pain and can lead to dangerous health consequences. In order to deal with such violations, it is necessary to consult a doctor promptly.