Clinically, thoracic osteochondrosis (chondrosis) is manifested by sharp, stabbing or dull, aching pain, digging and clicking when bending, and stiffness.
This pathology is characterized by various specific symptoms - a feeling of lack of air when inhaling, discomfort in the heart region, and even a sore throat.
Pathological treatment is mostly conservative with pharmacological drugs.Physiotherapy procedures, massage sessions are also carried out, and chiropractor help is sought.
If such treatment is ineffective, the patient is indicated for surgical intervention.
Details about the symptoms
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine never appear all at once.In the early stages of the development of this degenerative-dystrophic pathology, only mild discomfort in the back is observed.Patients bring them to too much work after a hard day at work, and write them off as "stiff" muscles from being in one position for a long time.
But the intensity of the discomfort is slowly, increasing.Unpleasant sensations are replaced by severe pain, complicated by a range of movements, dizziness and a limited headache.In the field of medicine, all symptoms of osteochondrosis of this localization are divided into several groups.This helps to diagnose it faster and decide on treatment tactics.
Pay attention!Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in men and women do not differ in character, severity, or localization.But in representatives of the stronger sex, they may occur a little later due to a stronger musculoskeletal system.Also, some men experience erectile dysfunction due to osteochondrosis.
Vertebral symptoms
Under the influence of unfavorable factors (hypothermia, increased physical activity), long-term remission of thoracic osteochondrosis can be interrupted by sudden attacks of acute pain.More often, it is triggered by a prolonged stay in one body position, for example, sitting.If a person stands up suddenly, a sharp pain occurs in the back that he loses the ability to move for several minutes.
In medicine, this condition is called dorsago.It differs from normal pain in the accompanying symptoms:
- feeling of lack of air when inhaling;
- pronounced stiffness.
The pathological course is often complicated by dorsalgia - pain in the thoracic spine, the intensity of which gradually increases.It increases when bending or turning the body to the side.In order not to experience pain, a person takes a forced position.At the same time, he involuntarily attacks the back muscles, involuntarily causing their overstrain.Now they also start to hurt, especially when walking.
Extravertebral symptoms
As thoracic osteochondrosis develops, the intervertebral discs become thinner and destroyed.This cartilage pad can no longer distribute the resulting load and prevent the vertebrae from hitting each other.The body's compensatory response is triggered - the bone structure begins to change shape with the formation of growth.They put pressure on sensitive nerve endings and break in the spinal canal.Therefore, specific symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis occur in women and men: loss of sensitivity in certain areas of the body, burning sensation and crawling "goosebumps".
Important!Osteochondrosis of thoracic localization often manifests itself as a dry, unproductive cough, sore throat, a feeling of a lump in it, as well as urinary disorders.
But that's not all.Spinal roots are responsible not only for the maintenance (transmission of nerve impulses) of the spine, but also of the internal organs.Therefore, when they pinch, discomfort occurs from the liver, kidneys, digestive tract, and myocardium.What are the signs of thoracic osteochondrosis that are not clear for back pathology are:
- pain in the region of the heart, similar to repeated angina, shortness of breath, a feeling of "compression" of the heart;
- Panic attacks, psycho-emotional instability, unprovoked fear, anxiety, sleep disorders;
- discomfort in the epigastric region, attacks of nausea, sometimes causing vomiting, sour belching, flatulence, engrossing and rushing in it;
- peristalsis disorders - constipation or diarrhea;
- Long, labored breaths with sobs.
The pain is not localized directly to the area of the intervertebral disc that is destroyed and (or) forms an intervertebral hernia.They radiate nerves.Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can be disguised as renal colic, symptoms of gastritis, gastric ulcer, hepatitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis and even gastroenteritis.
Compression myelopathy
This is the name of extravertebral syndrome, which is rarely encountered in clinical practice.It is observed at stage 3-4 of the disease, when, due to the loss of stability of the spinal segment, the nucleus pulposus protrudes beyond the annulus fibrosus.The form of intervertebral hernia, which constantly puts pressure on the spinal cord.When visiting a vertebrologist or neurologist, the patient complains of belt pain that often radiates to the groin area.At the same time, there is a feeling of weakness and numbness in the lower part of the leg.
Against the background of violations of the spinal cord, conservation is greatly disturbed.In the absence of treatment, the functional activity of the organs located in the pelvis decreases.Compressive myelopathy causes problems with bowel movements.And due to the narrowing of the diameter of the spinal canal, the sensitivity of the legs is greatly reduced.In severe cases, patients are diagnosed with paresis (partial or complete paralysis) of one or two lower legs.
Symptoms of remission
Outside of relapse, osteochondrosis of the chest almost does not bother a person.Sometimes, pain, pain, dull pain in the back occurs, which usually disappears after a long rest.But as soon as you increase the load on the spine even a little, lift heavy objects or bend over, another relapse follows.It can also be triggered by the following factors:
- stressful situations, depressive situations;
- Hypothermia, sudden temperature changes;
- staying in one body position for a long time;
- alcohol abuse;
- Unbalanced diet, lack of foods high in calcium, phosphorus, manganese, molybdenum in the diet.
Sometimes the remission stage ends because of a person's attempt to avoid relapse.He visits a chiropractor or massage therapist with a dubious reputation or little practical experience.Attempts to stretch the spine lead to other aggravations.
Basic treatment methods
It is not possible to completely cure the pathology, so all the efforts of the doctor are aimed at improving the patient's well-being.Patients are recommended to wear orthopedic products (corsets, bandages), which correct the structure of the vertebrae and prevent their displacement.Drugs of various clinical and pharmacological groups are prescribed, physiotherapeutic measures and exercise therapy are carried out.
The movement of the chiropractor's hands is aimed at increasing the space between the vertebrae, which decreases with thoracic osteochondrosis.
Important!With high severity thoracic osteochondrosis, conservative treatment is useless.The patient is immediately offered surgical intervention - isolation of intervertebral hernia, arthrodesis, installation of an implant to replace a damaged disc, bone grafting.
Drug therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine aims to eliminate all symptoms and prevent destructive and degenerative processes.During the acute period, a solution for parenteral administration is used, which shows an effect after 5-10 minutes.Then the results are guaranteed with a course of taking tablets, using ointments and gels.At the stage of remission, mainly external agents are used, which have a softer effect on the body.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
This is the most commonly used group of drugs in the complex treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.Their active ingredients inhibit the biosynthesis of mediators of pain, inflammation, and fever from arachidonic acid.Even after a single use of NSAIDs, a person's well-being improves significantly:
- the severity of pain decreases;
- The unpleasant noise that occurs when turning the body and bending over disappears;
- The inflammatory process in the soft tissue weakens, the swelling resolves;
- Range of motion in the thoracic region increases.
To stop relapse, a solution for intramuscular administration is used.Medicines in capsules or tablets cope with moderate pain.And ointments and gels quickly relieve mild discomfort.
Preparations with B vitamins
Nervous system disorders are best treated with drugs containing B vitamins. They improve the transmission of nerve impulses to the central and peripheral nervous systems and stimulate the recovery of damaged spinal roots.The composition of the product includes thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin.
In the first week of therapy, intramuscular injections of drugs are practiced, which, in addition to vitamins, contain lidocaine, which immediately eliminates pain.And then the patient is advised to take pills for a month.
Glucocorticosteroids
The use of synthetic analogues of hormones produced by the adrenal glands is practiced when safer means are ineffective.Glucocorticosteroids are prescribed to patients for acute, stabbing pain in the back, radiating to internal organs.Medicines can also be taken orally, but more often they are given parenterally, including to the site of the damaged disc.
Glucocorticosteroids are characterized by a wide list of contraindications and potential side effects.Long-term treatment of chondrosis of the thoracic spine with hormones causes damage to liver, kidney, and stomach tissue.Therefore, its use is prohibited for patients with cirrhosis, peptic ulcer, kidney failure, and osteoporosis.
Muscle relaxants
Back pain is often explained by increased skeletal muscle tone.For relaxation, muscle relaxants are used - first in the form of a solution for parenteral administration, and then in tablets.Medicines relieve muscle spasms that cause spinal root compression.Which muscle relaxants are most effective:
- block polysynaptic reflexes;
- relaxing spasmodic muscles;
- reduce the release of prostaglandins.
Medicines are rarely used as monotherapy.Thoracic chondrosis is treated with muscle relaxants in combination with glucocorticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Their important drawback is that addiction develops quickly, so it is forbidden to use them for more than a week.
Chondroprotectors
Unlike drugs that relieve the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, such drugs are also used for pathogenetic therapy.This is the only group of drugs that can increase the production of chondrocytes necessary for the partial restoration of intervertebral disc cartilage.All the therapeutic effects of chondroprotectors are due to the high content of glucosamine and (or) chondroitin.
But chondroprotectors are valuable not only because of their ability to restore discs.Their components shine in the area of the damaged segment of the spine.After 2-3 weeks, the maximum therapeutic concentration of glucosamine and chondroitin is created.Now the drugs are beginning to exhibit pronounced analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-edematous activity.
Suggestion!It is advisable to treat osteochondrosis with chondroprotectors in the form of injection solutions or tablets.Despite all the manufacturers' assurances about the effectiveness of ointments and creams, they cannot provide evidence of their therapeutic effectiveness.
Non-drug treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region with pharmacological drugs must be combined with regular physical exercise.Exercise therapy is the most effective therapy method to prevent disability.Thanks to daily training, the back muscle frame and ligament-tendon apparatus in the thoracic region are strengthened, and the production of synovial fluid that nourishes the vertebral structure is improved.The exercise set is determined by the physical therapist after reviewing the X-ray diagnostic results.He attended the first class and monitored the load dose.
Manual therapy for osteochondrosis is also practiced, aimed at increasing the space between the disc and vertebrae.Dry or underwater traction (extension) of the spine is performed, and at home, hanging on the bar.The effectiveness of manual therapy increases with simultaneous physical procedures:
- electrophoresis;
- laser therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- ultraviolet irradiation;
- Diadynamic current.
Patients are shown 10-15 sessions of classical, vacuum, Scandinavian, acupressure massage.Hirudotherapy, acupuncture, and sanatorium-resort treatments with radon and hydrogen sulfide baths are also useful.
Only with the help of an integrated approach to the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, it is possible to eliminate further damage to the disc and deformation of the vertebrae.Following the doctor's recommendations helps to eliminate all symptoms of chronic pathology as soon as possible.