Osteochondrosis, which affects the chest spine, is often concealed as pathologies of the internal organs.It manifests itself from heart pain, shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air during inhalation, panic attacks.Therefore, the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is a little difficult.After its detection, conservative treatment is performed with the use of drugs, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.Even with severe damage to babies and vertebrae, surgery is required.
A brief description of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic spinal disease.At the initial stage of its development, the intervertebral discs are slowly destroyed.They become thin, fragile and radial cracks appear on their surface.To stabilize the bone tissues of the vertebrae with the formation of acute growths - osteophytes that are affected by osteochondrosis of the thoracic segment.This causes a sharp limitation of mobility, compression of blood vessels and spinal roots.
Pathology
The degree of osteochondrosis is a set of symptoms characteristic of a particular radiographic stage.
Degree
X -rays usually do not have changes.But the intervertebral disc has already begun to collapse due to the inability to maintain the moisture needed to repair its tissues.Sometimes there are weak, uncomfortable sensations in the back, quickly disappearing after a short break.
II degree
The fibrous ring becomes loose, fibrous.One of the cracks on the surface of the disk increases, there is a pulpal core.In X -rays, there is a decrease in the distance between adjacent vertebrae due to a decrease in the height of the disk.As a result of constant compensatory muscle tension, the mobility of the chest area is limited, with moderate painful sensations.
III degree
The integrity of the fibrous ring is disturbed so that the pulpulated nucleus is pressed beyond its borders.Hernial convexity is formed - the main cause of pronounced symptoms and severe complications of thoracic osteochondrosis.The vertebrae bodies are deformed, single osteophytes are formed. The pain in the chest area becomes constant, the volume of movements in the spine is significantly reduced.
IV degree
The increase in connective tissues, the formation of multiple osteophytes is clearly visible on X -ray images.Neighboring vertebrae bodies are blocked, immobilized.Rine syndrome develops, often discogenic myelopathy - compression of the spinal cord, dangerous with its irreversible consequences.One can hardly serve in everyday life, loses the ability to perform professional duties.
Causes of chest osteochondrosis
Thoracic osteochondrosis in humans older than 40-45 years develops due to the natural aging of the body: slowing down the reactions of recovery, reduction of collagen production, which causes elasticity and the power of bonds.At a young age, this occurs as a result of increased spinal cord loads or against the background of pathologies already present in the body:
- Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, ankylosing spondylitis;
- Endocrine and metabolic diseases such as diabetes, gout, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism;
- Congenital and acquired anomalies, including kyphosis, scoliosis.
Premature destruction of discs can cause previous spinal injuries, a sedentary lifestyle and a lack of vitamins and trace elements in the body.
Characteristic signs and symptoms of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis develops gradually, initially showing it.It is in this current that is his danger.One takes on weak pain and discomfort in the back for banal muscle fatigue after a hardworking day, house or in the garden and does not seek medical help.Therefore, patients are usually diagnosed with a pathology of 2-3, which can hardly smell for conservative treatment.
At the beginning
During the period of exacerbation, the pathology can be manifested by pain between the blades that occur during tilting, the rotation of the body.The volume of movements is reduced, there are many specific signs of relapse.
Chest pain
With osteochondrosis, chest pain first occurs.They are blurred localized, can be given to their hands, collarbone, ribs.Heart pain is expressed strongly or moderately, it looks like an attack of angina, not eliminated by taking nitroglycerin.Sometimes they are similar to sensations that occur with exacerbation of cholecystitis, pancreatitis.But unlike the lesions of the pancreas or gall bladder, the pain is not accompanied by increased gas formation, acids and bloating.
Sensation in the chest
The pain between the shoulder blades is occasionally accompanied by a feeling of lack of air during inhalation.One is expected to be scared and not understand the reasons for this condition.Doctors recommend not panic, but to sit down and measure the heart rate.If the resulting value does not exceed 100 beats per minute, then the likelihood of a broken lung or heart is extremely low.
Other symptoms
Gradually, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are worsening from a disorder of sensitivity.There are sensations of tingling, numbness, crawling geese.From time to time there are conditions resembling panic attacks.They are characterized by fear, increased heart rate, excessive sweating, coldly evaporated.If these symptoms are accompanied by pain, then it is necessary to take nitroglycerin and call a doctor.A similar set of symptoms may indicate myocardial infarction.
The spinal roots located in the thoracic section innervate the internal organs.With their irritation, compression, the work of the gastrointestinal tract, the liver is upset.Peristalsis is impaired, epigastric pain, acids appear.
Signs in the subacute stage
After exacerbation, the subacute stage of the course of thoracic osteochondrosis appears.Problems with soreness and breathing are preserved, but they are much less intense.One is no longer looking for a long body position in which pain is not felt.The duration of the subacute stage is up to two weeks.
Remission
At the remission stage, slight discomfort may occur when time or hypothermia changes.Acute pain occurs only with osteochondrosis at 2-4 severity due to too sharp rotation or inclination of the body.The exacerbation of chronic pathologies, stress, increased physical activity, prolonged finding in one position of the body are able to provoke the next relapse.
The principles of diagnosis of the disease
The neurologist makes an initial diagnosis based on patient complaints, history data.During an external study, he detects in the area of the chest point at the point when pressed, on which pain occurs.Conducting functional tests allows you to evaluate the safety of the reflexes, to identify sensitivity disorders.Of the instrumental methods, radiography is the most information.But for a detailed study of the spinal segment, CT, MRI can be performed.In order to exclude diseases of the cardiovascular system, patients are prescribed an ECG.
How to treat breast osteochondrosis
Only an integrated treatment approach will allow you to get rid of all the symptoms of osteochondrosis, slow down, or completely stop it to healthy discs and vertebrae.Conservative methods of therapy are used in the pathology of 1-2 degrees of weight.Osteochondrosis at 3-4 degrees is characterized by the formation of large hernias.Surgical treatment may be required to eliminate the compression of blood vessels and spinal roots.
Medication
At the initial stage, remedies are usually used for parenteral administration, which quickly have a therapeutic effect.A few days later, the solutions for injection are replaced with more foster tablets, ointments and patches.
Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs have a pronounced analgesic, anti -inflammatory, decongestant effect.To stop acute pain allows intramuscular administration of solutions.To remove the weak, uncomfortable sensations between the shoulder blades are used for topical application.And with moderate pain, NSAIDs are well processed for oral application.
Monsolelaxants
Muscle relaxants are used in response to severe pain to eliminate muscle cramps.Most often, the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis begins with intramuscular administration of the drug, which, in addition to the masorelaxant, involves an anesthetic.
Chondroprotectors
With the pathology of the first degree of severity of the course of chondroprotectors, it helps to repair damaged discs.In other cases, they are prescribed to improve metabolism in the affected spine segment, preventing the progression of the disease.
B vitamins B vitamins
Using them helps to increase blood flow, improve the function of the peripheral nervous system, restore trophism and innervation.A complex of group B vitamins has a beneficial effect on degenerative diseases of the nerves and motor apparatus.
Medical physical education
With first -degree thoracic osteochondrosis, daily exercises for physiotherapy allow you to do without medication.Recovery occurs by strengthening the muscles, improving blood supply to tissue with nutrients.In other cases, charging and regular training help prevent participation in the destructive process of healthy vertebrates, expanding the remission stage.
Set
In the constant position, the following treatment exercises are the most therapeutically effective:
- Place your palms on your shoulders, lean forward as you lift your bent legs at the same time, as if you were trying to get the opposite knee with your elbow;
- Raise your left hand, lean right.Perform the exercise in the opposite direction;
- Stand your legs shoulder -width at a distance, lift your hands.Bend forward, touching the palm of the opposite leg.
The number of repetitions is 10-12 times in 2-3 approaches.
From the position of lying down
To perform these exercises, you will need a gymnast carpet or thick, folded double blanket:
- Lie on your stomach while lifting your hands and feet at the same time;
- Lying on the back, lift the upper body, stretch with your palms to the steps;
- When lying on the back, bend one leg, start it behind the other, trying to touch the floor surface with a knee.
Each exercise should be performed 7-10 times.
From the situation sitting
When performing such exercises, sharp high amplitude movements, including twisting: should be avoided:
- sitting on the floor, reaching forward, trying to touch the palm of the opposite leg;
- Sitting on a chair or chair, stretch your arms forward and slowly turn from side to side;
- Sitting on the floor, fasten your knee with your hands, pull it as close as possible to the chest.
In the first classes, repeat exercises 5-7 times, after about a month-15-20 times.
Physiotherapy
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, magnetotherapy, laser therapy, UHF therapy, sinusoidal currents, shock wool therapy, paraffin and mountain wax.With exacerbation, electrophoresis, ultraphonophoresis with glucocorticosteroids, anesthetics are performed by B vitamins, chondroprotectors.
Massage
The massage performed by a specialist helps to eliminate soreness between the shoulder blades, to relax the spasmodic skeletal muscles.
With osteochondrosis, all types of massage are therapeutically effective - classic, vacuum, acupunk, connective tissue.At home, self -massage is convenient to perform with a wooden or electric massager with a long handle.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture - The method of treating pathology by installing needles in bioactive points on the human body.They are thin, short, so only weak, uncomfortable sensations occur when piercing the skin.But even such an effect is sufficient for the production of substances in the body with analgesic and anti -inflammatory effect.
Meal
Nutritionists recommend patients with breast osteochondrosis to abandon fatty meat, rich soups, smoked meats, home and factory marinades.The amount of salt that provokes edema formation should be restricted in nutrition.You should drink about 2.5 liters of liquid every day - water, vegetable juices, berries, fruit compotes.
Folk remedies
Celery
Peel the large celery root, grind on a fine grater, squeeze the juice.Add 100 g of freshly fresh celery greenery.Take 3 tablespoons up to 4 times a day during meals to clean the vertebrae from harmful salts.
Sunflower root
Pour a teaspoon of dried crushed roots with sunflowers with a glass of hot water.Bring to a boil, simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, cool under the lid, voltage.Drink at 3-4 doses a day.
Domestic ointment
In mortar, grind with a tablespoon of trippine and thick honey, add 2 drops of juniper, rosemary, eucalyptus essential oils.Enter small parts of 100 g of medical oil jelly.Stir, transfer to a jar, store in the refrigerator, rub in the back with pain.
Prevention and forecast
The prognosis is favorable in the timely detection of the disease, which has competent, complex treatment.If complications of breast osteochondrosis have developed, then only compliance with all medical recommendations will achieve a stable remission.
As a prevention of pathology, neurologists recommend excluding the factors that provoke it from the usual lifestyle.This is excess weight, low motor activity, vitamin deficiency and monitoring elements, excessive spinal loads.