Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic change in the spine, in which the structure of the intervertebral disc changes, with subsequent deformation, stratification and violation of the boundaries and height.
Earlier, medical experts believed that osteochondrosis affected exclusively areas of the spine, but now this view has changed. Osteochondrosis can be confidently called a systemic disease, as the spine is not only a support for the motor system, but also affects all organs of the human body.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a pathological change characterized by a degenerative-dystrophic process in the intervertebral disc of the thoracic spine.
Signs and causes
The main cause of osteochondrosis of the breast is a violation of the metabolic process in the body associated with deterioration of blood supply.
So, the main signs of osteochondrosis:
- Physically hard work.
- Nervous tension and stress.
- Curvature of the spine.
- Obesity.
- Intense physical training, improper performance of exercises.
- Bad ecology.
- Smoking.
- Back injury.
- Improper nutrition.
- Sedentary lifestyle (physical inactivity).
- Constant vibration effect on the spine (prolonged driving).
- Hypothermia.
- Age changes and so on.
Symptoms
It should be emphasized that the cause of the formation of osteochondrosis of the chest is scoliosis, the prerequisites for which are formed in school. The chest is a congested area and therefore the symptoms are markedly different from other types of osteochondrosis. In most cases, the main difference between osteochondrosis of the chest is the absence of acute pain syndrome, but there is dullness or pain.
The main symptoms are as follows:
- Chest pain. Significantly worse during breathing or movement. In most cases, the pain of osteochondrosis of the chest area has shingles;
- Symptoms of tingling. There is a feeling that the breasts are tingling in the chest;
- Pain in the stomach, liver and heart. Osteochondrosis of the breast is disguised as other diseases showing symptoms of gastritis, heart attack, angina, peptic ulcer and so on;
- Sexual dysfunction;
- Pain in the shoulder blades (there is lumbago at the level of the intercostal nerves, this condition is called intercostal neuralgia);
- Decrease in the maneuverability of the thoracic spine (symptoms are characteristic of Forestier's disease, Bechterew's, Sheerman-Mao's disease and scoliotic deformity, using radiography to determine the true cause).
In addition, thoracic osteochondrosis has two spinal syndromes - dorsalgia and dorsago.
Dorsago has a characteristic sharp chest pain. It usually occurs in those who are in an inclined position for a long time (for example, welders), followed by a sharp straightening. Dorsago's pain syndrome is severe enough, even during breathing. Muscle tone is tense, which leads to restriction of movement in certain parts of the spine.
Dorsalgia manifests itself gradually and imperceptibly, lasting up to three weeks. There is no pronounced pain in the affected area of the spine and discomfort. The pain increases with deep breathing, bending forward or sideways. The muscles are tense.
Movement is limited in the upper dorsalgia (cervicothoracic region) or lower dorsalgia (lumbar-thoracic region). The pain intensifies at night, in the period of waking up, the pain syndrome passes by itself with a short walk. With deep breathing or prolonged position of the body in one position, the pain intensifies again.
Diagnosis
A characteristic feature of osteochondrosis in the chest is the incredible ability to confuse the symptoms of another disease. It is no coincidence that medical experts call this ailment a "chameleon disease. "
Osteochondrosis is disguised as a pain syndrome in cardiovascular disease, angina, heart attack, appendicitis and cholecystitis, gastrointestinal diseases, namely gastritis, peptic ulcer, renal or hepatic colic. Experienced specialists perform a comprehensive diagnosis to find the differences between osteochondrosis of the breast and similar diseases. In this regard, it is recommended to undergo not only X-ray examination, but also MRI, gastroduodenoscopy, ultrasound, etc. In the future, the method of treatment takes into account comorbidities.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is made on the basis of an X-ray, which clearly shows an increase in the body of the vertebrae or a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs.
Methods of treatment
Treatment in the thoracic spine in osteochondrosis of the spine depends mainly on the stage of the pathological process and is limited to conservative treatment. The surgeon's surgical procedures are used extremely rarely, usually with complications, ie spinal hernia.
In the period of exacerbation, treatment is aimed at relieving pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well as analgesics are prescribed. To increase the movement of the thoracic spine and relax muscle tone, muscle relaxants are prescribed. To improve blood flow to the spine - vasodilators. The drugs are combined with massage and physiotherapy.
In the relapse phase, treatment is aimed at stretching the muscular system of the thoracic region in the spine. The most effective is the method of kinesitherapy.
During the period of remission, treatment is aimed at improving the maneuverability of the intervertebral discs of the spine, strengthening the spinal muscles and restoring the posture of the spine.
In addition, there are the following methods:
- Laser therapy;
- Acupuncture treatment;
- Pharmacopuncture treatment;
- Magnetic acupuncture treatment;
- Vacuum therapy.
Treatment with folk methods
- Raw potatoes predominate as an excellent painkiller. For the treatment of recurrence of osteochondrosis of the chest area, a compress is prepared, which is rubbed on a grater (1: 1) mixed with honey. The resulting mass is applied to the affected area, where it is for about two hours.
- The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the affected spine in the acute stage, effectively relieves a mixture of internal and external use. Prepared with honey in half a glass, 50 g of vodka, two tablespoons of salt and a glass of turnip. The resulting mass is used by rubbing the affected area twice a day or inward before meals twice a day.
- Osteochondrosis is treated with tea. The infusion is prepared from the fruits and crushed strawberry leaves, taken one spoon at a time. This mixture is poured for ten minutes.
- The symptoms of rheumatism, gout and osteochondrosis of the chest are well treated with an ointment consisting of lard (one tablespoon) and hop cone powder (one tablespoon).
Complications
Chest osteochondrosis has the following complications:
- Intervertebral hernia of the chest;
- Protrusion of the disc;
- Radiculopathy (sciatica);
- Sciatica;
- Schmorl's hernia;
- Lumbago;
- Spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis;
- VSD;
- Osteophytosis, spondylosis;
- Stenosis in the spinal canal of the spine.