Clinically, thoracic osteochondrosis (chondrosis) is manifested by sharp, piercing or dull, aching pain, crunching and clicking when bending and stiffness.
The pathology is characterized by many specific symptoms - a feeling of lack of air when inhaling, discomfort in the heart region, even a sore throat.
Treatment of pathology is mainly conservative with pharmacological drugs.Physiotherapeutic procedures, massage sessions are also carried out and the help of chiropractors is sought.
If such treatment is ineffective, the patient is indicated for surgical intervention.
Symptom Details
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine never appear all at once.At the initial stage of development of this degenerative-dystrophic pathology, only slight discomfort in the back is noted.Patients mistake them for banal overstrain after a hard day at work and consider them "stiff" muscles due to being in the same position for a long time.
But the intensity of the discomfort increases slowly and steadily.Unpleasant sensations are replaced by severe pain, complicated by limited range of movement, dizziness and headache.In medicine, all symptoms of osteochondrosis of this localization are divided into several groups.This makes it possible to diagnose it more quickly and decide on treatment tactics.
Note!Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in men and women do not differ in character, severity or localization.But in the stronger sex they can occur a little later due to a stronger musculoskeletal system.Additionally, some men suffer from erectile dysfunction due to osteochondrosis.
Spinal symptoms
Under the influence of unfavorable factors (hypothermia, increased physical activity), long-term remission of thoracic osteochondrosis can be interrupted by a sudden attack of acute pain.Most often, it is triggered by a prolonged stay in one body position, for example, sitting.If a person gets up suddenly, such sharp pain appears in the back that he loses the ability to move for several minutes.
In medicine, this condition is called dorsago.It differs from ordinary pain in its accompanying symptoms:
- feeling of lack of air when inhaling;
- pronounced stiffness.
The course of the pathology is often complicated by back pain - pain in the thoracic spine, the intensity of which gradually increases.It is intensified by bending or turning the body to the sides.In order not to feel pain, a person takes a forced position.At the same time, it involuntarily strains the back muscles, unintentionally causing them to overwork.Now they too are starting to hurt, especially when walking.
Extravertebral symptoms
As thoracic osteochondrosis develops, the intervertebral discs become thin and destroyed.These cartilaginous pads can no longer distribute the resulting loads and prevent the vertebrae from colliding.A compensatory response of the body is triggered - bone structures begin to deform with the formation of growths.They put pressure on sensitive nerve endings and encroach on the spinal canal.So, specific symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis occur in women and men: loss of sensitivity in certain areas of the body, burning sensation and creeping "goosebumps".
Important!Osteochondrosis of thoracic localization is often manifested by a dry, unproductive cough, sore throat, feeling of lumpiness, as well as urination disorders.
But that's not all.The spinal roots are responsible not only for the innervation (transmission of nerve impulses) of the spine, but also of the internal organs.Therefore, when pinched, discomfort occurs in the liver, kidneys, digestive tract and myocardium.What are the signs of thoracic osteochondrosis that are not characteristic of back pathologies:
- pain in the heart region, identical to a relapse of angina, shortness of breath, feeling of “squeezing” of the heart;
- panic attacks, psycho-emotional instability, causeless fear, anxiety, sleep disturbances;
- discomfort in the epigastric region, attacks of nausea, sometimes leading to vomiting, acid belching, bloating, bubbling and rumbling;
- peristalsis disorders - constipation or diarrhea;
- long, labored breaths with sobs.
The pain is not localized directly in the area of the destroyed intervertebral disc and (or) the formed intervertebral herniation.They radiate along the nerve.Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can be masked by renal colic, symptoms of gastritis, gastric ulcers, hepatitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis and even gastroenteritis.
Compressive myelopathy
This is the name of the extravertebral syndrome, rarely encountered in clinical practice.It is observed at stages 3-4 of the disease, when, due to the loss of stability of the spinal segment, the nucleus pulposus protrudes beyond the annulus fibrosus.An intervertebral hernia forms, which constantly puts pressure on the spinal cord.When visiting a vertebrologist or neurologist, patients complain of frequent pain in the girdle radiating to the groin.At the same time, feelings of weakness and numbness appear in the lower extremities.
In the context of spinal cord damage, innervation is seriously disrupted.In the absence of treatment, the functional activity of the organs located in the pelvis decreases.Compression myelopathy causes problems with bowel movements.And due to the pronounced narrowing of the diameter of the spinal canal, the sensitivity of the legs is significantly reduced.In severe cases, patients are diagnosed with paresis (partial or complete paralysis) of one or both lower limbs.
Remission symptoms
Apart from relapses, osteochondrosis of the chest almost does not bother a person.Sometimes there are shooting, aching, dull pains in the back, which usually disappear after a long rest.But as soon as you increase the load on the spine a little, lift a heavy object or bend over, another relapse follows.It can also be triggered by the following factors:
- stressful situations, depressive states;
- hypothermia, sudden temperature changes;
- stay in the same body position for a long time;
- alcohol abuse;
- unbalanced diet, lack of foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, manganese, molybdenum in the diet.
Sometimes the remission phase ends due to a person's attempts to avoid another relapse.He consults a chiropractor or massage therapist with a dubious reputation or little practical experience.An attempt to stretch the spine leads to another exacerbation.
Basic treatment methods
It is not yet possible to completely cure the pathology, therefore all the efforts of doctors are aimed at improving the well-being of the patient.Patients are recommended to wear orthopedic products (corsets, bandages) that fix the spinal structures and prevent their displacement.Medicines of various clinical and pharmacological groups are prescribed, physiotherapeutic measures and exercise therapy are carried out.
The chiropractor's hand movements are aimed at increasing the spaces between the vertebrae, which decrease with thoracic osteochondrosis.
Important!In cases of high severity of thoracic osteochondrosis, conservative treatment is useless.Patients are immediately offered surgical intervention - excision of an intervertebral hernia, arthrodesis, installation of implants in place of the damaged disc, bone grafting.
Drug therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is aimed at eliminating all symptoms and inhibiting destructive and degenerative processes.During periods of exacerbation, solutions for parenteral administration are used, which show effects after 5-10 minutes.Then the result is ensured by a course of taking tablets, applying ointments and gels.At the stage of remission, mainly external agents are used that have a milder effect on the body.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
This is the most commonly used group of drugs in the complex treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.Their active ingredients block the biosynthesis of mediators of pain, inflammation and fever from arachidonic acids.Even after just one use of NSAIDs, a person's well-being improves significantly:
- pain intensity decreases;
- the unpleasant crunching noise that occurs when rotating the body and bending disappears;
- inflammatory processes in soft tissues weaken, swelling disappears;
- the range of movements in the thoracic region increases.
To stop relapses, solutions for intramuscular administration are used.Medicines in capsules or tablets cope with moderate pain.And ointments and gels quickly eliminate slight discomfort.
Preparations with B vitamins
Innervation disorders are well treated with drugs containing B vitamins. They improve the transmission of nerve impulses to the central and peripheral nervous systems and stimulate the restoration of damaged spinal roots.The composition of the products includes thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin.
During the first week of treatment, intramuscular injection of drugs is carried out, which, in addition to vitamins, contain lidocaine, which instantly eliminates pain.Patients are then advised to take pills for a month.
Glucocorticosteroids
The use of these synthetic analogues of hormones produced by the adrenal glands is practiced when safer means prove ineffective.Glucocorticoids are prescribed to patients for sharp, piercing pain in the back, radiating to the internal organs.The medications can also be taken orally, but are much more commonly administered parenterally, including to the sites of damaged discs.
Glucocorticosteroids are characterized by a wide list of contraindications and potential side effects.Long-term treatment of chondrosis of the thoracic spine with hormones leads to damage to the tissues of the liver, kidneys and stomach.Their use is therefore prohibited in patients with cirrhosis, peptic ulcer, renal failure and osteoporosis.
Muscle relaxers
Back pain is often explained by an increase in the tone of skeletal muscles.To relax it, muscle relaxants are used - first in the form of solutions for parenteral administration, then in the form of tablets.The medications relieve muscle spasms that cause compression of the spinal root.Which muscle relaxers are most effective:
- block polysynaptic reflexes;
- relax spasmodic muscles;
- reducing the release of prostaglandins.
The drugs are rarely used as monotherapy.Treatment of thoracic chondrosis is carried out with muscle relaxants in combination with glucocorticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Their main disadvantage is that addiction develops quite quickly, so it is forbidden to use them for more than a week.
Chondroprotectors
Unlike drugs that eliminate the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, these drugs are also used for pathogenetic treatment.This is the only group of drugs capable of improving the production of chondrocytes necessary for the partial restoration of cartilaginous intervertebral discs.All therapeutic effects of chondroprotectors are due to the high content of glucosamine and (or) chondroitin.
But chondroprotectors are valued not only for their ability to restore discs.Their components shine in the area of the damaged spinal segment.After 2-3 weeks, the maximum therapeutic concentration of glucosamine and chondroitin is created.Today, drugs begin to exhibit pronounced analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous activity.
Recommendation!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 the ointments and creams, they have not been able to provide proof of their therapeutic effectiveness.
Non-drug treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region with pharmacological drugs should be combined with regular physical exercise.Exercise therapy is the most effective therapeutic method for preventing disability.Thanks to daily training, the muscular framework of the back and the ligamento-tendinous apparatus of the thoracic region are strengthened, and the production of synovial fluid which nourishes the spinal structures is improved.The set of exercises is determined by the physiotherapist doctor after studying the results of radiological diagnostics.He is present at the first lessons and monitors the dosage of the loads.
Manual therapy of osteochondrosis is also practiced, aimed at increasing the spaces between the discs and vertebrae.Dry or underwater traction (extension) of the spine is carried out, and at home, hanging from a bar.The effectiveness of manual therapy increases with simultaneous physical procedures:
- electrophoresis;
- laser therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- ultraviolet irradiation;
- diadynamic currents.
Patients receive 10-15 sessions of classic, vacuum, Scandinavian massage and acupressure.Hirudotherapy, acupuncture and sanatorium treatments with radon and hydrogen sulfide baths are also useful.
Only with the help of an integrated approach to the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is it possible to eliminate further damage to the discs and deformation of the vertebrae.Following the doctor's recommendations allows you to get rid of all the symptoms of chronic pathology as quickly as possible.