Thoracic osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disorder that affects the thoracic spine. The disease of this section is not common, like cervical and lumbar, it is due to the fact that the thoracic region is not so mobile and more protected than the rest of the spine. People after the age of 30 are more susceptible to this pathology.
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative change that occurs in different parts of the spine. Statistics show that this disease is getting younger, if earlier old people suffered from this pathology, today more and more the disease is diagnosed in the younger generation. This disease became the third most frequent after cardiovascular and oncological pathologies.
Reasons
- Injury;
- Excessive physical activity;
- Age-related changes in the spine;
- Hereditary predisposition to degenerative changes;
- metabolic disorders;
- Excessive completeness;
- A way of life in which a person moves a little;
- Scoliosis - curvature of the spine;
- Severe concomitant diseases.
As a result of changes in the thoracic spine, the nerve roots tighten and the function of the internal organs is impaired.
Osteochondrosis is able to hide in many cardiovascular diseases, so a person may experience shortness of breath and tachycardia and may not immediately recognize this disease.
The disease can be confused with various pathologies of the respiratory system and pathologies of the abdominal cavity. None of the signs are specific and depend on the severity and localization of the process.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- Chest pain, exacerbated by hypothermia, twisting, bending, at night;
- Stiffness of the arm and interscapular area;
- Pain on strong exhalation and inhalation;
- Feeling of tightness in the chest;
- Tightening of the muscles of the upper half of the back and in the chest area;
- In severe cases, pelvic dysfunction.
In case thoracic osteochondrosis occurs in combination with cervical, dizziness and nausea are added to the symptoms.
There are three types of pain:
- Dorsagois a very strong, sudden pain that restricts movement. Such pain can occur when straightening the back after a long stay in one position and can last up to several weeks.
- Dorsalgiais a moderate pain that does not go away for a long time, it is often accompanied by stiffness of movement. Such pain cannot be recognized immediately because it develops over time and can rarely occur with mild pain.
- Pectalgiais a mild pain in the front of the chest.
Diagnostics
The most common method for diagnosing chest osteochondrosis is radiography. This method is financially cheaper, but it cannot always reveal the full picture of the disease, and X-rays also have ionizing radiation on the human body.
It is recommended to take an X-ray on an empty stomach and follow a diet for a while before the examination (do not use products that create gases).
Contraindications for X-rays are: pregnancy (radiation negatively affects the development of the fetus), conditions in which the patient cannot be immobile in one position, with obesity, the diagnosis is also difficult, because the images are blurred. An X-ray is taken while lying on your back or side.However, medicine is not standing still and experts are increasingly using newer technologies to diagnose osteochondrosis, such as:
- CT (computed tomography) MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Computed tomography
This is a type of X-ray diagnostics where the scan is performed at different depths and the results are processed using a computer. If the CT is done without a contrast agent, no preparation is required, but if a CT scan is done with the introduction of a contrast agent, you should refuse to eat 4 hours before the examination. All jewelry and hairpins must be removed before inspection.
Contraindications to CT scan:
- Pregnancy;
- Mental disorders;
- Allergy to a substance injected as a contrast (if CT is used with it);
Magnetic resonance imaging
A highly informative diagnostic method that uses a magnetic field and radio frequency radiation. This is a relatively new diagnostic method, but it has taken its rightful place in medicine because it is harmless and very informative.
Such an examination does not require any preparation, however, the specialist must warn of the characteristics of the body, allergies, if the examination is carried out with the use of contrast agents. All metal objects are removed before diagnosis.
The procedure is performed lying on your back, it does not cause any painful sensations, except for mild discomfort due to the sound of the device.
Contraindications for MRI:
- Chronic renal failure;
- Allergy to a substance used as a contrast;
- Pregnancy;
- Presence of metallic elements in the human body (pacemaker, etc. );
- Claustrophobia.
Treatment
The methods used in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are complex and the doctor prescribes them individually, depending on the anamnesis and concomitant diseases.
These include:
- Medicines;
- Physiotherapy exercises;
- Massage and manual therapy;
- Physiotherapy;
- Traditional methods of treatment.
Medications
The treatment is aimed at eliminating inflammation and reducing pain. Specialists prescribe special ointments, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs to the patient.
After using pain-relieving medications, doctors prescribe a medication to help the patient normalize microcirculation and blood circulation, as well as vitamin complexes.
exercise therapy
Physiotherapy exercises can help reduce cramps and muscle pain. Exercise helps increase muscle tone and improve blood circulation. All exercises must be performed smoothly so as not to cause severe pain. With thoracic osteochondrosis, the complex also includes exercises that help support the back muscles.
Massage
Used in combination with other treatments. Massage gives a quick effect during the treatment, relieves pain, improves blood circulation, tones muscles, removes cramps. Massage courses can only be started when the deterioration phase has receded.
It is best to entrust the massage to a qualified massage therapist and combine it with manual therapy and physiotherapy exercises.
Manual therapy
Treatment is the effect of the therapist's hands on the spine.
Contraindications for manual therapy:
- pregnancy;
- hernia;
- arthrosis;
- spinal injuries;
- high blood pressure;
- tumors;
- severe stage of scoliosis;
- inflammatory processes.
Manual therapy should be performed only in the initial stages of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, as prescribed by a doctor and strictly by a qualified specialist, otherwise this procedure can lead to serious complications.
Physiotherapy
The advantage of physical therapy is minimal side effects and achieving a quick effect. During the treatment, magnetotherapy, amplipulses, ultrasound, electrophoresis, iontophoresis, diadynamic currents are used.
In each case, the doctor chooses the procedure individually. Contraindications: oncology, pregnancy, skin diseases, severe cardiovascular diseases.
Traditional medicine
It consists of tinctures, rubs, ointments, baths.
Before starting treatment with folk remedies, you should consult your doctor and remember the possibility of allergic reactions to various herbal ingredients.
Prevention
The main component of the prevention of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is an active lifestyle, which helps keep the spine in good shape and proper posture. It is also important that the sleeping area is not too soft or hard. It is recommended to eat foods with a high content of calcium and magnesium, to use vitamin complexes.