Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine is diagnosed less often than other forms of this pathology. This is due to the anatomical characteristics of the structure of the middle part of the human back. The intervertebral discs in this area move quite a bit. However, this anomaly still occurs occasionally and requires adequate therapy.
Characteristics of the disease
This term refers to dystrophic and degenerative changes in the spine, which lead to abnormalities in the structure of cartilage and bone tissue. According to ICD-10, the pathology is coded as follows: M42. Osteochondritis of the spine.
If you do not start treatment of the disease immediately, there is a risk of breaking the structure of the ligament apparatus, joints and intervertebral discs. Often, osteochondrosis leads to atherosclerosis, malignant tumors, infertility and other disorders.
phases
Depending on the degree of destruction of the vertebrae, several stages of the development of the disease are distinguished:
- In first-degree disease, the discs lose their elasticity, their height decreases. Sometimes bumps, or ridges, form.
- Osteochondrosis of the second degree is accompanied by a further decrease in the height of the discs and loss of their elasticity. In this phase, instability of the thoracic region occurs. This worsens the condition of the person and can cause a crack in the disc annulus. This violation is met with the appearance of a hernia. Pain occurs at this stage. Neurological manifestations may also be present.
- Third-degree osteochondrosis is characterized by the appearance of intervertebral hernias. Symptoms of pathology depend on the size and localization of this formation.
- Fourth-degree disease is accompanied by a loss of the shock-absorbing characteristics of the discs. In this phase, there is convergence of the vertebrae, loss of mobility of the spine, pinching of blood vessels and nerves. This form of the disease is characterized by the destruction of the bones of the spine.
Reasons
Thoracic osteochondrosis is most often caused by a lack of physical activity. This leads to a weakening of the muscle tissue and leads to an increase in the load on the intervertebral discs.
In addition, the causes of pathology include the following:
- bad habits;
- posture disorders;
- genetic predisposition;
- hypodynamia;
- increased physical activity;
- spinal injuries;
- stressful situations.
Symptoms
This form of osteochondrosis has less pronounced manifestations than other types of this disease. Characteristic symptoms of pathology include the following:
- chest pains that increase at night due to a long stay in an uncomfortable position, with hypothermia and increased stress;
- discomfort between the shoulder blades that occurs when lifting the limbs or bending;
- increased discomfort during deep inhalations and exhalations;
- pain between the ribs that occurs when moving;
- tightness in the chest area.
With the worsening of the pathology, the pain syndrome is present for several weeks. In addition, there are additional manifestations of the thoracic form of the disease:
- loss of sensitivity in some parts of the skin, occurrence of suffocation;
- burning and itching, coldness in the lower extremities;
- nail brittleness and skin peeling;
- pain in the esophagus and pharynx;
- violation of the functions of the digestive organs.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis
To deal with this breach, you need to ensure an integrated approach. Specific methods of therapy should be chosen by the doctor, taking into account the clinical picture of the disease.
Medically
In the thoracic form of the disease, the following categories of drugs are most often used:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs. They help in dealing with pain and removing swelling of soft tissues. In case of intercostal neuralgia, local dosage forms are prescribed in the form of ointments and creams.
- Anesthetics. They are injected into the spine to eliminate pain and muscle spasm.
- Muscle relaxants. Such drugs remove painful muscle spasm.
- Antidepressants. These drugs remove the psycho-emotional stress that often accompanies osteochondrosis.
- Vitamins B. Such drugs provide nutrition to nerve fibers. This helps in dealing with neurological abnormalities. Means containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis.
- Chondroprotectors. Such means help stop the destruction of discs and normalize bone metabolism. It is recommended that they be injected directly into the paravertebral tissues.
exercise therapy and physiotherapy
With the help of therapeutic exercises and gymnastics, you can reduce the frequency of exacerbations. To do this, it is recommended to perform the following movements:
- Sit on a chair, put your hands behind your head, breathe. As you exhale, bring your shoulder blades together. Do 10-15 repetitions.
- Get up on all fours, slightly arch your back and stay in that position. After a few seconds, bend and fix in this position again. Do 15-20 repetitions.
- Lie on your back, raise your straight legs by 20-30 cm. Stay in this position for 20 seconds. Do 10 repetitions.
Physiotherapy is an effective method of therapy. They have a local effect on the focus of pathology.
Thanks to exercises, it is possible to deal with pain and spasms, improve tissue nutrition 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 take into account the degree of the disease and the symptoms present. If the disease has an acute course and is accompanied by severe pain, therapy begins with anti-inflammatory and analgesic preparations.
The following plants have this effect:
- chamomile;
- sage;
- viburnum;
- elecampane;
- Birch tree.
These herbs can be brewed like regular tea. To do this, take 1 tablespoon per 250 ml of boiling water. Take the composition of 1 glass 2-3 times a day. To improve the taste of the drink, you can add a little honey.
What to do during an exacerbation
When thoracic osteochondrosis worsens, the following recommendations should be followed:
- reduce physical activity - it is best to stick to bed;
- eat properly;
- take medicines prescribed by a doctor;
- do a gentle self-massage and rub the problem areas;
- engage in therapeutic exercises if indicated;
- rub in the creams and ointments recommended by your doctor;
- use physical therapy.
Complications and consequences
If you do not start therapy on time, there is a risk of developing dangerous consequences. This includes the following:
- protrusion and intervertebral hernia;
- spinal cord compression;
- deviations in the work of internal organs - heart, liver, intestines, kidneys, pancreas;
- duodenal lesions, intestinal motility disorders, gallbladder dyskinesia;
- intercostal neuralgia - irritation or compression of nerve fibers.
Prevention and prognosis
To avoid the occurrence of thoracic osteochondrosis, you must follow these recommendations:
- avoid static body position - occasionally warm up;
- choose a comfortable work chair;
- sleep 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 the timely initiation of therapy, 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. To deal with this violation, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time.