Thoracic osteochondrosis is a degenerative dystrophic disease that affects the thoracic spine. The disease in this sector is not common, such as cervical and lumbar, this is due to the fact that the thoracic region is not as mobile and more protected than the rest of the spine. People after 30 years are more susceptible to this pathology.
Osteochondrosis are degenerative changes that occur in different parts of the spine. Statistics show that this disease is becoming younger, if earlier the elderly suffered from this pathology, today the disease is increasingly diagnosed in the younger generation. This disease has become the third most common after cardiovascular and oncological pathologies.
Reasons
- Injury;
- Excessive physical activity;
- Changes in the column related to age;
- Hereditary predisposition to degenerative changes;
- metabolic disorders;
- Excessive completeness;
- A lifestyle in which the person moves little;
- Scoliosis - curvature of the spine;
- Serious concomitant diseases.
As a result of changes in the thoracic spine, the nerve roots are compressed and the function of Organs internal organs is altered.
Osteochondrosis is able to disguise itself as many cardiovascular diseases, so a person may have shortness of breath and tachycardia and cannot immediately recognize this disease.
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 on strong exhalation and inhalation;
- Feeling of tightness in the chest;
- Tension in the muscles of the upper half of the back and in the chest region;
- In severe cases, pelvic dysfunction.
In the case where thoracic osteochondrosis occurs in combination with the cervical, dizziness and nausea are added to the symptoms.
There are three types of pain:
- Dorsagois a very strong and sudden pain that restricts movement. This pain can occur when straightening your back after staying in the same position for a long time and can last for several weeks.
- Back painis a moderate pain that does not go away for a long time, often accompanied by stiff movements. This pain cannot be recognized immediately, as it develops over time and it can rarely appear mild painful sensations.
- Pectalgiais moderate pain in the front of the chest.
Diagnosis
The most common method for diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis is radiography. This method is financially cheaper, but it cannot always reveal the complete picture of the disease, and the X-ray also has ionizing radiation in the human body.
It is advisable to do the X-ray on an empty stomach and to follow a food diet for some time before the exam (do not consume foods that form gases).
The contraindications to X-ray are: pregnancy (radiation negatively affects the development of the fetus), conditions in which the patient cannot remain immobile in a position, with obesity, the diagnosis is also difficult, as the imagesare blurred. X-rays are taken lying on your back or on your side.
However, medicine does not stop and specialists are increasingly using newer technologies for the diagnosis of osteochondrosis, such as:
- CT (computed tomography)
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Computed tomography
This is a type of diagnosis that uses X-rays, in which scans are performed at different depths and the results are processed on a computer. If the CT scan is performed without a contrast agent, no preparation is necessary, but if the CT scan is performed with the introduction of a contrast agent, you should refuse to eat 4 hours before the test. All jewelry and hair clips must be removed prior to examination.
Contraindications for computed tomography:
- Pregnancy;
- Mental disorders;
- Allergy to a substance that is injected as a contrast (if CT is performed with it);
Magnetic resonance imaging
A highly informative diagnostic method that uses a magnetic field and radio frequency radiation. This is a relatively new diagnostic method, but it has taken its proper place in medicine, as it is harmless and very informative.
This test does not require any preparation, but a specialist should be alerted about the body's characteristics, allergies, if the test is performed using contrast. All metal objects are removed before diagnosis.
The procedure is performed lying on your back, it does not cause any painful sensation, except for a slight discomfort by the sound of the device.
Contraindications for MRI:
- Chronic renal failure;
- Allergy to a substance used as a contrast agent;
- Pregnancy;
- Presence of metallic elements in the human body (pacemaker, etc. );
- Claustrophobia.
Treatment
The methods used to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are complex and are prescribed by the doctor individually, depending on the clinical history and concomitant diseases.
This includes:
- Medicines;
- Physiotherapy exercises;
- Massage and manual therapy;
- Physiotherapy;
- Traditional methods of treatment.
Medication
Treatment aims to eliminate inflammation and reduce pain. The specialists prescribe to the patient special ointments, analgesics and anti-inflammatories.
After using medications that aim to eliminate pain, doctors prescribe to the patient a medication that helps to normalize microcirculation and blood circulation, as well as vitamin complexes.
exercise therapy
Physiotherapy exercises can help reduce muscle spasms and pain. Exercise helps to increase muscle tone and improve blood circulation. All exercises should be performed gently so that they do not cause severe pain. With thoracic osteochondrosis, the complex also includes exercises that help support your back muscles.
Massage
Used in combination with other treatment methods. Massage gives a quick effect during treatment, relieves pain, improves blood circulation, tones muscles, eliminates spasms. Massage courses can only be started when the exacerbation stage has subsided.
It is best to entrust the massage to a qualified massage therapist and combine it with manual therapy and physiotherapy exercises.
Manual therapy
Treatment is the effect of the therapist's hands on the spine.
Contraindications for manual therapy:
- pregnancy;
- hernia;
- arthrosis;
- spinal injuries;
- increased blood pressure; tumors
- ;
- severe scoliosis stage;
- inflammatory processes.
Manual therapy should only be performed in the early stages of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, as prescribed by a doctor and strictly by a qualified specialist, otherwise this procedure can lead to serious complications.
Physiotherapy
The advantage of physiotherapy is minimal side reactions and a quick effect. During the treatment, magnetotherapy, amplipulse, ultrasound, electrophoresis, iontophoresis, diadynamic currents are used.
In each case, the doctor selects the procedure individually. Contraindications: oncology, pregnancy, skin diseases, serious cardiovascular diseases.
Traditional medicine
It consists of dyes, mops, ointments, baths.
Before starting treatment with folk remedies, you should consult your doctor and remember the possibility of allergic reactions to various herbal ingredients.
Prevention
The main component of preventing thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is an active lifestyle, which helps to keep the spine in good shape and the correct posture. It is also important that the sleeping area is not too soft or hard. It is advisable to eat foods high in calcium and magnesium, using vitamin complexes.