A sedentary lifestyle, injuries or excessive physical activity cause diseases of the musculoskeletal system. To avoid complications, it is important to start treatment early in the process. To do this, you need to know about the causes and symptoms of the pathology.
Description of the disease, what is its risk
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a chronic disease in which dystrophic changes begin in the cartilage located in the intervertebral space. The pathology is expressed by a decrease in the height of the discs and compression of the intercostal nerve endings.
Thoracic osteochondrosis goes through several stages of progression.
The first is characterized by the drying of the intervertebral disc, a decrease in firmness and elasticity and the appearance of cracks. The pain is mild and disappears after the person rests for a while.
In the second stage, the disc decreases in height, the niche in the vertebra is filled with the nucleus pulposus, but does not go beyond its limits. Muscles experience constant tension. A person complains of severe pain, which goes away after resting.
The third stage is characterized by the protrusion of the nucleus pulposus beyond the edges, the crack reaches the vertebral end. As a result, an intervertebral hernia is formed. The pain becomes constant.
In the fourth stage, there is an excessive growth of connective tissue, which exerts pressure on the adjacent vertebrae. To compensate for the reduced layer, the growth of bone tissue begins. More and more growths (osteophytes) appear.
Types of thoracic osteochondrosis and complications
According to the nature of the pain, there are two types of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- dorsago, which is characterized by acute sharp pain in the form of a lumbago, localized in the thoracic spine. The condition is accompanied by muscle tension, problems with movement in the neck and chest region;
- dorsalgia, in which the pain increases slowly. Lunges and twists of the torso, as well as long standing in one position, increase discomfort. At night, the discomfort deepens and disappears when walking.
In the absence of adequate therapy, the nerve endings are increasingly compressed. As a result, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can cause complications:
- kidney pathology;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- immobility;
- persistent pain;
- interruption in cardiac activity;
- intervertebral hernia;
- decreased ability to conceive;
- violation in the work of the lungs, caused by the growth of connective tissue.
Why does the pathology of the thoracic spine appear?
This section of the spine experiences moderate load and limited mobility. However, the pathology is common. The disease can be provoked by one of the reasons or a combination of them:
- injury and damage;
- excessive workload in the department, including in childhood;
- age-related changes associated with a decrease in the nutrition of disc tissue between the vertebrae;
- diseases of the endocrinological profile, especially during menopause;
- violation of calcium absorption in relation to age;
- excess body weight;
- problems with blood vessels, atherosclerotic deposits in the vessels of the chest region;
- lean muscle corset.
How the pathology appears
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are represented by pain and increased muscle tone. Pain can be short-lived with lumbago and long-term pain. Pulling can be felt in the front of the chest, under the ribs and in the shoulder. The pain is aggravated by long standing in one position.
A characteristic sign of the pathology is sensitivity to palpation of the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are similar to those of other diseases and include:
- discomfort in the region of the heart, reminiscent of pain in angina pectoris;
- pain during breathing, shortness of breath, also manifested in pneumonia, tuberculosis, obstructive pulmonary disease;
- pain in the epigastric region, under the ribs, similar to the signs of gastrointestinal diseases.
Methods of treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
If you complain, you should contact a neurologist. Therapy includes medication, physiotherapy, exercise therapy and massage.
From medicines, doctors prescribe:
- means for eliminating the focus of inflammation on the back;
- drugs to reduce muscle tone and the risk of squeezing the sensitive roots of the spinal cord;
- neuroprotectors designed to help restore nerve fibers.
The choice and dosage is chosen by the doctor, who will take into account the drug tolerance, concomitant diseases and the patient's weight.
It is important to respect the recommended duration of treatment to avoid relapses. You can buy prescription drugs at a low price in the online store. Information about the price, drugs in stock, current promotions and discounts are available all the time on the site.
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Physiotherapy includes:
- diadynamic therapy, i. e. treatment with electric current to relax muscles and reduce pain;
- electrophoresis with sedatives;
- magnetic therapy to relieve discomfort and swelling.
Massage should be done carefully, using friction techniques. The area under the shoulder blades and between the ribs should be treated with care. At least 10-15 sessions are needed for the effect to appear.
During physiotherapy exercises, emphasis is placed on exercises that strengthen the muscular core, neck and lower back.
Topical anti-inflammatory ointments and gels, heating patches, needle applicators.