Clinical, thoracic osteochondrosis (chondrosis) sharp, piercing or dull, aching pain, crushing and clicking and clicking with stiffness.
Pathology is characterized by a large number of specific symptoms - lack of air when inhaling, discomfort in the heart region and even sore throat.
Treatment of pathology is mainly conservative with pharmacological drugs.Physiotherapy 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.
Details about symptoms
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are never all visible.At the initial stage of the development of this degenerative-dystrophic pathology, it was noted that only mild discomfort was experienced from the back.Patients wrote them off as "stiff" muscles after a hard day at work due to banal overwork and being in one position for a long time.
But the intensity of anxiety is slowly, steadily increasing.Unpleasant sensations are replaced by severe pain, complicated by limited movement, dizziness and headache.In medicine, all symptoms of osteochondrosis of this localization are divided into several groups.This helps to make a faster diagnosis and decide on treatment tactics.
Record it!Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in men and women do not differ in character, severity or localization.However, it may happen a little later due to a stronger musculoskeletal system in the representatives of the stronger sex.Also, some men experience 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.More often, it is triggered by staying in a sitting position for a long time, for example.If a person stops suddenly, such a sharp pain occurs 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 accompanying symptoms:
- Feeling of lack of air when inhaling;
- pronounced harshness.
The course of the pathology is often dorsalgia - pain in the thoracic spine, the intensity of which gradually increases.It is strengthened when bending or turning to the sides of the body.In order not to experience pain, a person takes a forced position.At the same time, he forcefully relaxes the back muscles, reluctantly overexciting them.Now they also start to suffer, especially when walking.
Extravertebral symptoms
As thoracic osteochondrosis develops, the intervertebral discs become thin and destroyed.These cartilage pads can no longer distribute the resulting loads and prevent the vertebrae from hitting each other.It triggers the compensatory response of the body - the bone structures begin to deform with the formation of growths.Pressure on sensitive nerve endings and damage to the spinal canal.Therefore, specific symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis occur in women and men: loss of sensitivity in certain areas of the body, burning sensation and crawling "Goosebumps".
It is important!Osteochondrosis of Thoracic localization often manifests itself as a dry, productive cough, a sore throat, a feeling in it, as well as urinary disorders.
But that's not all.Spinal roots are responsible not only for the innervation (transmission of nerve impulses) of the spine, but also of the internal organs.Therefore, when compressed, discomfort occurs from the liver, kidneys, digestive system and myocardium.What are the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis that are speechless for back pathologies:
- The same as the recurrence of angina, shortness of breath, the feeling of "squeezing" the heart;
- Panic attacks, psycho-emotional instability, unreasonable fear, anxiety, sleep disorder;
- Discomfort in the epigastric region, nausea attacks, sometimes vomiting, acid stomach, swelling, bloating and rumbling inside;
- peristalsis disorders - constipation or diarrhea;
- He breathed in long, sobs.
Pain is caused by a destroyed intervertebral disc and (or) the formation of an intervertebral hernia and (or) does not occur.They illuminate along the nerve.Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can be used as symptoms of renal colic, gastritis, gastric ulcers, hepatitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis and even gastroenteritis.
Compressive myelopathy
This is the name of extravertebral syndrome, which is rarely encountered in clinical practice.It is observed in stage 3-4 of the disease, while the Nucleus Pulposus protrudes from the Annulus Fibrosus due to the loss of stability of the spinal segment.An intervertebral hernia places constant pressure on the spinal cord.When visiting a vertebroad or neurologist, patients often complain of girdle pain radiating to the groin area.At the same time, there is a feeling of weakness and numbness in the lower extremities.
Against the background of spinal cord injury, innervation is seriously disturbed.In the absence of treatment, the functional activity of the organs located in the pelvis decreases.Compressive myelopathy causes problems with bowel movements.And due to the opening of the diameter of the spinal canal, the sensitivity of the legs is greatly reduced.In severe cases, patients are diagnosed with paralysis (partial or complete paralysis) of one or both lower limbs.
Remission symptoms
Except for relapse, osteochondrosis of the chest almost does not bother a person.Sometimes, a dull, aching, dull pain occurs in the back, which usually goes away after a long rest.But a little bit increases the load on the back, lift a heavy object or bend, another relapse follows.The following factors can also be triggered:
- stressful situations, depressive states;
- Hypothermia, sudden temperature changes;
- staying in one body position for a long time;
- alcohol abuse;
- Unbalanced diet, lack of foods high in calcium, phosphorus, manganese, molybdenum in the diet.
Sometimes the remission phase ends due to a person's attempts to prevent another relapse.Visits a chiropractor or massage therapist with a questionable reputation or little practical experience.An attempt to extend the spine causes another aggravation.
Basic treatment methods
It is not yet possible to completely cure the pathology, so all the efforts of doctors are directed to improving the patient's well-being.Patients are recommended to wear orthopedic products (corsets, bandages), which straighten 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 movements of the chiropractor's hands are aimed at increasing the spaces between the vertebrae, which are reduced by thoracic osteochondrosis.
It is important!Conservative treatment with thoracic osteochondrosis of high severity is useless.Patients are offered immediate surgical intervention - excision of intervertebral hernias, arthrodesis, installation of implants at the site of damaged disc, bone closure.
Drug therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is aimed at eliminating all symptoms and inhibiting destructive and degenerative processes.During screen periods, solutions for parenteral administration are used, which have an effect after 5-10 minutes.Then the result is ensured by applying ointment and gel, taking tablets.In the phase of remission, mainly external agents are used, which have a milder effect on the body.
Nonsteroidal 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 pain, inflammation and fever from arachidonic acids of fire.After one use of NSAIDs, a person's well-being improves significantly:
- The intensity of pain decreases;
- An unpleasant noise that occurs when turning the body and the bending disappears;
- Inflammatory processes in soft tissues weaken, swelling resolves;
- 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 relieve mild 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 regeneration of damaged spinal roots.The composition of the products includes Thiamine, Riboflavin, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin.
In the first week of therapy, intramuscular injection of drugs is applied, which, in addition to vitamins, contains Lidosin, which immediately relieves pain.And then patients are advised to take pills for one month.
Glucocorticosteroids
The use of these synthetic analogues of hormones produced by the adrenal glands is used when a safe remedy is ineffective.Glucocorticosteroids are prescribed to patients for radiation to internal organs, sharp, piercing pain in the back.Medicines can also be taken orally, but more often they are carried 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 causes damage to the tissues of the liver, kidneys and stomach.Thus, their use is prohibited for patients with cirrhosis, peptic ulcers, kidney failure and osteoporosis.
Muscle streamers
Back pain is often explained by skeletal muscle tone.For relaxation, muscle relaxants are used - first for Parenteral Administration, then in the form of a solution in tablets.Medicines relieve muscle spasms that cause compression of the spinal cord.Which muscle relaxants are most effective:
- Block polysynaptic reflexes;
- relaxed spasmodic muscles;
- reduce the release of prostaglandins.
Medicines are rarely used as monotherapy.Thoracic chondrosis is treated with glucocorticosteroid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with muscle spasms.Their significant drawback is that addiction develops quite quickly, so it is forbidden to use it for more than a week.
Chondroprotectors
Unlike drugs that relieve the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, such drugs are also used for pathogenetic therapy.This is the only drug group that can increase the production of chondrocytes, which are necessary for the partial restoration of cartilage intervertebral discs.All therapeutic effects of chondroprotectors are due to the high content of glucosamine and (or) chondroitin.
However, chondroprotectors are valued only for their ability to restore discs.Their components shine into the area of the damaged spinal segment.After 2-3 weeks, the maximum therapeutic concentration of glucosamine and chondroitin is created.Now the drugs begin to act as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous.
Recommended!It is advisable to treat osteochondrosis with chondroprotectors in the form of injection solutions or tablets.Despite the assurances of all manufacturers about the effectiveness of ointments and creams, they could not prove their therapeutic effectiveness.
Non-narcotic treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region with pharmacological drugs should be combined with regular physical exercise.Exercise therapy is the most effective therapy method to prevent disability.Thanks to daily exercise, the muscular framework of the back and the ligamentous tendon 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 doctor of physical therapy after studying the results of X-ray diagnostics.He attends the first classes and monitors the dosage of loads.
Manual therapy is also used for osteochondrosis, aimed at increasing the spaces between the discs and vertebrae.Dry or underwater traction (extension), hanging on a bar at home and at home.The effectiveness of manual therapy increases simultaneously with physical procedures:
- Electrophoresis;
- laser therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- ultraviolet radiation;
- diadynamic currents.
Patients are given 10-15 sessions of classical, vacuum, Scandinavian, acupressure massage.Hirudotherapy with radon and hydrogen sulphide baths, acupuncture and sanatorium-spa treatment are also useful.
Only with the help of an integrated approach to the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, it is possible to cause more damage to the discs and deformation of the vertebrae.It helps to get rid of all symptoms of chronic pathology as soon as possible after the doctor's recommendations.