Thoracic osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disorder that affects the thoracic spine. The disease of this section is not common, as is the neck and lumbar spine. This is due to the fact that the chest region is not as mobile and better protected than the rest of the spine. People after 30 years are more prone 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 people suffer from this pathology in old age, now more and more often the disease is diagnosed in the younger generation. This disease became the third most common after cardiovascular and oncological diseases.
reasons
- injury;
- Excessive physical activity;
- Age-related changes in the spine;
- Hereditary predisposition to degenerative changes;
- metabolic disorders;
- Excessive completeness;
- A lifestyle in which a person moves little;
- scoliosis - curvature of the spine;
- Serious comorbidities.
Changes in the thoracic spine cause nerve roots to become trapped and the function of the internal organs is disturbed.
Osteochondrosis can disguise itself as many cardiovascular diseases. As a result, a person may experience shortness of breath and tachycardia and may not be able to identify the disease immediately.
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 location of the process.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- Pain in the sternum, aggravated by hypothermia, turning, bending, at night;
- interscapular pain;
- numbness of the arm and interscapular region;
- pain when exhaling and inhaling heavily;
- chest tightness;
- tension in the muscles of the upper half of the back and the chest region;
- In severe cases, pelvic dysfunction.
In the case where osteochondrosis of the breast occurs in combination with a cervix, dizziness and nausea are added to the symptoms.
There are three types of pain:
- Dorsagois a very severe, sudden pain that restricts movement. Such pain can occur when the back is straightened after an extended position in one position, and it can last for up to several weeks.
- Dorsalgiais a moderate pain that does not go away for long and is often accompanied by stiffness in movements. Such pain cannot be recognized immediately because it develops over time and can rarely appear with mild pain.
- Pectalgiais a moderate pain on the front of the chest.
Diagnosis
The most common method of diagnosing osteochondrosis in the chest is radiography. This method is less expensive financially, but cannot always give the full picture of the disease, and X-rays also have ionizing radiation on the human body.
It is advisable to take an X-ray on an empty stomach and to adhere to a diet for some time before the examination (do not consume gas-producing foods).
Contraindications to X-rays are: pregnancy (radiation negatively affects the development of the fetus), conditions in which the patient cannot be motionless in one position, with obesity, diagnosis is also difficult because the images are blurred. X-rays are taken while you are lying on your back or on your side.
Medicine does not stand still, however, and specialists are increasingly using newer technologies to diagnose osteochondrosis, such as:
- CT (computed tomography)
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Computed tomography
This is a type of diagnosis using X-rays while scans are performed at different depths and the results are processed using a computer. If the CT is performed without contrast, no preparation is required. However, if a CT scan is performed with the introduction of a contrast agent, then you should refuse to eat 4 hours before the examination. All jewelry and hairpins must be removed prior to the examination.
Contraindications to CT:
- pregnancy;
- Mental disorders;
- Allergy to a substance that is injected as a contrast agent (if a CT scan is done with it);
Magnetic resonance imaging
An extremely 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, if the examination is carried out with the use of contrast agents, a specialist must be warned about the characteristics of the body and allergies. All metal objects are removed prior to diagnosis.
The process is carried out lying on your back. It does not cause any painful sensations, except for slight discomfort from the sound of the device.
Contraindications for MRI:
- Chronic kidney failure;
- Allergy to a substance used as a contrast medium;
- pregnancy;
- The presence of metal elements in the human body (pacemaker, etc. );
- claustrophobia.
Treatment
The methods of treating osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are complex and are individually prescribed by the doctor depending on the medical history and concomitant diseases.
These include:
- medicinal products;
- physical therapy exercises;
- massage and manual therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- Traditional treatment methods.
Medicines
Treatment is aimed at clearing inflammation and relieving pain. Specialists prescribe special ointments, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs for the patient.
After using drugs for pain relief, doctors prescribe the patient a drug that helps normalize microcirculation and blood circulation, as well as vitamin complexes.
Movement therapy
Physical therapy exercises can help reduce muscle cramps and pain. Exercise helps increase muscle tone and improve blood circulation. All exercises must be done smoothly so that they do not cause severe pain. In thoracic osteochondrosis, the complex also includes exercises to support the back muscles.
Massage
Used in combination with other treatment methods. The massage acts quickly during the treatment, relieves pain, improves blood circulation, strengthens muscles and eliminates cramps. Massage courses can only be started when the stage of exacerbation has subsided.
It is best to entrust the massage to a qualified masseur and combine it with manual therapy and physiotherapy exercises.
Manual therapy
The treatment is the action of the therapist's hands on the spine.
Contraindications for manual therapy:
- pregnancy;
- hernia;
- osteoarthritis;
- spinal injuries;
- increased blood pressure;
- tumors;
- severe stage of scoliosis;
- inflammatory processes.
Manual therapy should be carried out only in the initial stages of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, as prescribed by a doctor and exclusively by a qualified specialist, otherwise this procedure can lead to serious complications.
Physiotherapy
The advantage of physiotherapy is the minimum of side reactions and the achievement of a quick effect. Magnetotherapy, amplipulse, ultrasound, electrophoresis, iontophoresis and diadynamic currents are used during treatment.
In any case, the doctor selects the procedure individually. Contraindications: oncology, pregnancy, skin diseases, severe cardiovascular diseases.
Traditional medicine
Consists of tinctures, rubs, ointments, baths.
Before starting treatment with folk remedies, you should consult your doctor and be aware of the possibility of allergic reactions to various herbal ingredients.
Prevention
The main component of preventing thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is an active lifestyle that will help keep the spine in good shape and maintain proper posture. It's also important that the sleeping area isn't too soft or too hard. It is advisable to eat foods high in calcium and magnesium in order to consume vitamin complexes.