Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine is diagnosed less frequently than other forms of this pathology. This is due to the anatomical features of the structure of the middle part of the human back. The intervertebral discs in this area move a lot. However, this anomaly still occurs occasionally and requires appropriate therapy.
Characteristics of the disease
This term is understood as dystrophic and degenerative changes in the spine, which lead to abnormalities in the structure of cartilage and bone tissues. According to ICD-10, the pathology is coded as follows: M42. Spinal osteochondritis.
If you do not immediately start the treatment of the disease, there is a risk of violation of the structure of the ligament apparatus, joints and intervertebral discs. Osteochondrosis often leads to atherosclerosis, malignant tumors, infertility and other disorders.
stages
Depending on the level of destruction of the vertebrae, various stages of the development of the disease are distinguished:
- In first-degree disease, the discs lose their elasticity, their height decreases. Sometimes bumps or bumps are formed.
- Second degree osteochondrosis 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 arises. This worsens a person's condition and can cause the disc ring to crack. This breach is fraught with the appearance of a hernia. At this stage, pain occurs. Neurological manifestations may also be present.
- For third-degree osteochondrosis, the appearance of intervertebral hernias is characteristic. The symptoms of pathology depend on the size and location of this formation.
- Fourth-degree disease is accompanied by a loss of the shock-absorbing characteristics of the discs. At this stage, there is a convergence of the vertebrae, loss of spinal mobility, pinching of blood vessels and nerves. This form of the disease is characterized by the destruction of the bones of the spine.
The reasons
Thoracic osteochondrosis is most often caused by a lack of physical activity. This leads to a weakening of muscle tissue and leads to an increased load on the intervertebral discs.
In addition, the causes of pathology include the following:
- bad habits;
- postural 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. The characteristic symptoms of the pathology include the following:
- chest pains that increase at night due to prolonged standing in an uncomfortable position, with hypothermia and increased stress;
- discomfort between the shoulder blades that occurs when lifting limbs or bending;
- increased discomfort with deep inspirations and expirations;
- pain between the ribs that occurs when moving;
- tightness in the chest area.
With an exacerbation 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 of some areas of the skin, appearance of goosebumps;
- burning and itching sensation, cold in the lower extremities;
- nail fragility and skin peeling;
- pain in the esophagus and pharynx;
- violations of the functions of Organs digestive organs.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis
To address this breach, you need to provide an integrated approach. Specific methods of therapy should be selected by the physician, 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 deal with pain and eliminate soft tissue swelling. With 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 remedies eliminate painful muscle spasm.
- Antidepressants. These drugs eliminate the psycho-emotional stress that often accompanies osteochondrosis.
- B vitamins. These drugs provide nutrition to the nerve fibers. This helps to deal with neurological abnormalities. In the treatment of osteochondrosis, agents containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used.
- Chondroprotectors. These funds help to stop the destruction of discs and normalize bone metabolism. They are recommended to be injected directly into the paravertebral tissues.
physiotherapy and exercises
With the help of therapeutic exercises and gymnastics, you can reduce the frequency of exacerbations. For this, it is recommended to perform the following movements:
- Sit in a chair, place your hands behind your head, inhale. As you exhale, contract your shoulder blades. Do 10-15 repetitions.
- Get on all fours, gently arch your back and stay in that position. After a few seconds, bend over and fix yourself in this position again. Do 15-20 repetitions.
- Lie on your back, lift your legs straight 20-30 cm and stay in this position for 20 seconds. Do 10 reps.
Physiotherapy is an effective method of therapy. They have a local effect on the pathology focus.
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.
popular recipes
When choosing home remedies, be sure to take into account the degree of illness and 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;
- wise;
- viburnum;
- elecampane;
- Birch.
These plants 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
With an exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following recommendations should be observed:
- reduce physical activity - it is better to observe bed rest;
- eat properly;
- taking medications prescribed by a doctor;
- do a gentle self-massage and rub the problem areas;
- practice therapeutic exercises, if indicated;
- rub the creams and ointments recommended by the doctor;
- use physical therapy.
Complications and consequences
If you do not start therapy on time, there is a risk of developing dangerous consequences. These include the following:
- intervertebral protrusion and 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 prevent the appearance of thoracic osteochondrosis, you need to follow these recommendations:
- avoid a static position of the body - periodically warm up;
- choose a comfortable work chair;
- sleeping on an orthopedic mattress;
- refusing to carry heavy objects;
- control body weight;
- do physical therapy.
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, but you can prevent its development. From 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 such a violation, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time.