Osteochondrosis - dystrophic and degenerative changes in cartilage and bone tissue. Osteochondrosis of the spine can occur in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. The progression of the disease leads to the destruction of ligaments, the structure of the joints, the intervertebral discs.
Osteochondrosis of the spine in the chest is not common. This is due to the peculiarities of its structure. Its mobility is lower than that of the cervical and lumbar region. Part of the load is borne by the ribs and sternum. The danger of pathology in the difficulty of its diagnosis. The symptoms are similar to other diseases, they are detected quite late, which complicates the treatment process.
The causes of the disease
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis is associated with metabolic disorders and increased load on the intervertebral discs. Inside the intervertebral disc is the pulpal nucleus, which is surrounded by the fibrous ring. In case of damage, drying and loss of the damping properties of the core occur. As a result of degenerative processes, inflammation and compression of the nerve fibers of the spinal cord occur.
The causes of osteochondrosis can be:
- heredity;
- intervertebral hernia;
- the presence of osteophytes;
- poor blood supply to the spinal cord due to vascular compression;
- disturbance of mineral metabolism (especially calcium deficiency);
- curvature of the spine, which creates an uneven load on the discs;
- chest injury due to falling, bruising, impact;
- strength sports, regular weightlifting;
- passive lifestyle.
Symptoms and sensations of osteochondrosis of the chest
Several factors affect the clinical picture of the pathology:
- the degree of damage to the spine;
- the patient's age;
- stage of the pathological process (exacerbation or remission).
The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest are characterized by variety and nonspecificity, so the disease is often confused with other pathologies.
The main signs of osteochondrosis of the breast:
- Dorsago - acute, sudden pain in the chest and back ("lumbago of the chest"), the patient feels shortness of breath.
- Dorsalgia is a mild pain in the affected vertebrae that develops gradually over several weeks. The pain may be exacerbated by deep breathing, bending sideways and forward, as well as prolonged stay in a static position.
The sensation of severe lumbar pain and breathing problems are associated with intercostal neuralgia, in which nerve roots are compressed. The intensity of the pain usually increases in the afternoon and subsides after a night's sleep.
Among the neurological symptoms are:
- impaired sensitivity of the limbs;
- tingling of the heart muscle;
- pulmonary syndrome;
- tingling, burning, tingling of the skin;
- twitching and muscle spasm;
- sensation of the presence of a foreign object in the pharynx when osteochondrosis is localized in the upper thoracic segment.
Intercostal neuralgia is a concomitant symptom of degenerative-inflammatory pathologies of the spine (osteochondrosis, vertebral displacement, scoliosis). But its appearance resembles signs of various diseases of the peritoneal organs and chest area.
Note!Often the pain appears in the upper areas of the chest, gradually covering it completely, as well as in the shoulder blades (reminiscent of angina pectoris). Pain in the right hypochondrium occurs in osteochondrosis of the middle chest area. They can be diagnosed as pancreatitis or cholecystitis. Pain in the gastrointestinal tract occurs with lesions of the lower segment of the thoracic spine, mimicking intestinal disease.
Stages of disease development
The degree of development of the disease is associated with pathological disorders of the spine, which are characterized by certain clinical symptoms.
There are 4 periods of disease development:
- 1st degree- the appearance of cracks inside the fibrous ring, after which the fluid of the pulpal nucleus penetrates into it. There is a pain syndrome localized only in the affected area. There may be pain in the heart muscle, muscle cramps.
- 2nd degree- Abnormal mobility between the vertebrae occurs, subluxations in the thoracic region are observed. Prolonged static posture or movement causes discomfort and increased pain.
- 3rd grade- rupture of the fibrous ring extending beyond the pulpal nucleus. The formation of intervertebral hernias occurs. This causes severe low back pain, impaired mobility and other symptoms.
- 4th degree- pathological processes extend beyond the spine. In degenerative-dystrophic changes the paravertebral connections are involved, fibrosis develops.
Diagnosis
Radiography is very informative. The presence of pathology is indicated by:
- uneven edges of the disk;
- enlargement and exacerbation of juvenile processes;
- reducing the height of the discs, deformation of their shape;
- the presence of osteophytes.
Sometimes an X-ray examination is performed. The contrast agent fills the destroyed disc, which makes it possible to determine the degree of neglect of the pathological process. MRI and computed tomography are considered no less informative.
Effective treatments
How to treat osteochondrosis of the chest? The approach to therapy should be comprehensive. It is necessary to take into account the stage of development of the disease, the degree of destructive processes, the general condition of the patient.
Drug therapy
Several groups of drugs are used to treat osteochondrosis of the chest.
- NSAIDs and muscle relaxants;
- Glucocorticosteroids. Their therapeutic effect is more pronounced than that of NSAIDs, but the risk of side effects is higher.
- Chondroprotectors. Chondroprotective agents are thought to contribute to the regulation of damaged cartilage tissue. But their effectiveness has not been definitively confirmed.
- Diuretics are used for a short time to relieve swelling of suffocated nerve fibers during exacerbations of osteochondrosis.
Folk remedies and recipes
It is used more often in the period of remission of the disease and only as an additional method of treatment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home with traditional medicine:
- Pour 30-40 g of chopped celery root with 1 liter of boiling water. Insist 8 hours. Drink 1 dessert spoon three times a day.
- Melt 150 g of lard in steam. Add to it 2 tablespoons of wax. Heat for 15 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of ammonia. Rub problem areas twice a day. Store in a cool place.
Massage and exercise therapy
One of the most effective therapeutic measures for osteochondrosis is massage. Helps eliminate muscle spasm, improve blood supply to the problem area and normalize the functional state of the spine. In case of exacerbation of the disease, vibration massage is recommended. After the clinical manifestations have subsided, you can take a course of classical massage.
Massage is not recommended for thoracic osteochondrosis grade 3, when there is an intervertebral hernia. This can worsen the patient's condition.
The purpose of physiotherapy and gymnastics in osteochondrosis is to improve the mobility of the intervertebral joints, strengthen the muscular body. Healing therapy allows you to relieve muscle spasms, eliminate stiffness in the spine. Classes should be conducted daily under the supervision of an experienced instructor. Their plan is prepared individually for each patient.
Power characteristics
The main principles of proper nutrition in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest:
- a large amount of protein in the diet;
- exclude greasy and fried;
- the food must be cooked or baked.
Salt should be excluded from the diet or significantly limited. Avoid fizzy and caffeinated beverages. It is better to replace them with herbal teas, natural juices. To improve the synthesis of cartilage tissue, it is useful to introduce into the diet jellies, jellies, jellies that contain chondroitin. To get enough calcium for bone health, you need to eat dairy products. Adherence to proper nutrition prevents the progression of the pathological process.
Prevention measures
In order to prevent the development and exacerbation of destructive processes in the chest, it is recommended to take preventive measures as early as possible and to observe them regularly.
Recommendations:
- do special back exercises every day;
- give up addictions;
- eat right and balanced;
- weight normalization;
- with sedentary work 10 minutes every hour you should do warm-up;
- swimming, water aerobics;
Thoracic osteochondrosis is not very common compared to cervical and lumbar. But it is no less dangerous in its effects on the body. It is quite difficult to detect in the early stages due to the similarity of symptoms with other pathologies. That is why it is important to monitor the health of the spine at all times, to take all measures to prevent pathological destruction.