Pain in the spine can occur for various reasons. It’s rare that anyone can boast that they don’t know what back pain is. One of the most common causes of such pain is osteochondrosis. In this article, we will dwell in more detail on such a pathology as thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment with medicines of this disease will also be considered.
Osteochondrosis - what is it?
This proliferative disease is associated with degenerative changes in the ligamentous apparatus of the spinal segment. Initially, it affects the intervertebral disc, if measures are not taken in time, then the disease further leads to reactive and compensatory changes in the bone-ligamentous apparatus and other parts of the spine.
With osteochondrosis, a whole complex of dystrophic changes in the cartilage tissue of the joint occurs. Such processes can occur in almost any joint. But the intervertebral discs are affected most often.
Depending on the area of localization, osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral parts is distinguished. Also, frequent simultaneous damage to some two or more parts of the spine, for example, the cervicothoracic or lumbosacral, occurs.
Anatomical features of the cervicothoracic region
The cervical spine is the most mobile part of the spinal column. It connects on the one hand with a relatively static thoracic region, and on the other - through the atlantooccipital joint with the skull.
The thoracic section consists of 12, and the cervical - of 7 vertebrae. Each individual vertebra corresponds to a certain segment of the spinal cord, which consists of two pairs of roots. They, in turn, are connected to the spinal nerve.
Due to its anatomical features, this part of the spine suffers quite often. In people, often forced to be in the same position (office workers, students), cervicothoracic osteochondrosis often occurs. We will analyze the symptoms and how to treat it a little lower. In the meantime, consider the pathogenesis of the disease.
Pathogenesis
With dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs or damage, they become thinner and there is a displacement of neighboring vertebrae relative to each other. The clearance between the vertebrae decreases and the nerve fibers are infringed. This is accompanied by pain, swelling and inflammation. Patient movements can be severely limited.
In addition, the blood vessels that supply the intervertebral discs with such processes, as well as with physiological aging, reduce. Their clearance decreases, while there is a depletion of the intervertebral discs. Cartilage tissue loses elasticity, its consistency and shape changes. An improper diet aggravates this condition.
Causes
All causes of osteochondrosis are not fully understood. Most often, the first symptoms of this disease begin to manifest by 30-35 years. All kinds of back injuries, vibration and heavy physical exertion can contribute to the development of the disease. Almost all professional drivers have this ailment. It is isolated for this group of people as an occupational disease.
In recent years, more and more young people have complained of back pain. Osteochondrosis now occurs at the age of 16 to 30 years. This is facilitated by physical inactivity, overweight, flat feet and poor posture in young people. Next, we consider a common disease - breast osteochondrosis, symptoms and treatment with medications and other methods. But first things first.
The main reasons for the development of this disease can be called:
- Inactive lifestyle (physical inactivity).
- Spinal injuries.
- Violation of posture and instability (hypermobility) of the segments of the spinal column.
- Heavy physical exertion, especially associated with jerking movements and lifting weights.
- Violation of metabolic processes.
- Excess weight.
- Weakened immunity.
- Infections, frequent colds and hypothermia.
- Endocrine diseases.
- Cardiovascular pathology.
- Genetic predisposition (heredity).
- Unbalanced diet and violation of the drinking regime. Especially the development of the disease contributes to the lack of trace elements and water.
- Bad ecology.
- Smoking.
- Mental stress and stress.
- In women: pregnancy and high heels.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms
How to treat this disease, we will consider a little below. In the meantime, let's talk about the signs of the disease. Symptoms of the thoracic osteochondrosis are very diverse. This disease is sometimes confused with vegetovascular dystonia, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, cerebrovascular accident, etc. Consider the symptoms and treatment of chest osteochondrosis. Among the signs of this disease are:
- Pain in the back between the shoulder blades, very often it gives to the neck, shoulder girdle and arms. Sometimes patients cannot turn their neck. The pain is very intense. Often joins a severe headache and dizziness.
- Pain in the chest increases at the height of inspiration.
- Paresthesia (discomfort in the form of numbness, tingling, goosebumps) in the neck, chest, abdomen.
- There may be tinnitus and flies in front of the eyes.
- Heartache.
- Violations of the emotional state and sleep.
- Restriction of movements of the upper limbs.
- Increase or decrease in blood pressure.
- In men, a violation of potency may be observed.
Such symptoms are due to narrowing of the spinal canal due to degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs, inflammatory processes and edema.
Osteochondrosis of the chest: types, symptoms, treatment
Symptoms of chest osteochondrosis were introduced. It should be noted that pain can be of two types. Dorsago and dorsalgia are distinguished.
Dorsago is also called thoracic lumbago. This pain occurs suddenly, and it is very strong. Patients note that even breathing hurts. There is limited movement (it is impossible to raise hands) and muscle tension. As a rule, such pain can occur at the time of getting up in people who are forced to sit at a table for a long time, bowing their heads. This pain does not last long.
What can not be said about dorsalgia. In this case, the opposite is true. She appears gradually. The pain is aching, dull and prolonged. She can bother for 2-3 weeks. The intensification of pain occurs with a deep breath or bending. There is a restriction of movements and muscle tension. At night, the intensity of pain with dorsalgia increases, and in the morning, after waking up and some warm-up, it becomes barely noticeable.
Diagnostics
Even with such a variety of symptoms, the specialist will easily diagnose “osteochondrosis of the chest”. Diagnosis and treatment of this ailment, as a rule, is carried out on an outpatient basis.
Diagnostics includes examination by a neurologist, medical history, ultrasound and X-ray examination of the cervicothoracic spine. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography to diagnose a disease such as thoracic osteochondrosis. Symptoms and treatment with medicines and other modern methods of this pathology will be discussed later.
Treatment methods
Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out comprehensively. It is aimed at eliminating the pain syndrome, as well as relieving inflammation of the edema and preventing dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs and disturbing the structure of the vertebrae. In case of ineffectiveness of the measures taken, surgical treatment is carried out according to special indications.
The following treatment methods are used to treat osteochondrosis:
- Drug therapy.
- Therapeutic blockade.
- Physiotherapy exercises.
- Physiotherapy.
- Massage.
- Manual therapy.
- Traction (stretching) of the spine.
- Reflexotherapy
- Moxotherapy (thermal effect on active points).
Drug therapy
The method of treatment of osteochondrosis with medicines is aimed primarily at relieving pain, as well as reducing swelling, inflammation and improving metabolic processes. For these purposes, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers and steroid hormones are used. These drugs are used in tablet form or as intramuscular or intravenous administration. Good results are given by drugs: Ketanov, Ibuprofen, Ketolong, Indomethacin, etc.
Paravertebral novocaine blockade is good for stopping pain . They are conducted by a doctor in a hospital.
In addition, vitamin complexes, for example, vitamins of group B and others, are mandatory. For the treatment of this disease, immunostimulants and medications are used that contribute to the normalization of tissue metabolism.
There are specific drugs that can enhance the regeneration of affected cartilage. These include: Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate.
For disorders of the emotional state and sleep, tranquilizers and sedatives are prescribed. In pharmacies, they are available only on prescription.
If brain disorders are observed, then drugs are used: "Piracetam", "Actovegin", etc.
We examined the often encountered disease of thoracic osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment with medications, now I want to say a few words about other fairly effective methods of treating this disease.
Massage and manual therapy
Massage during an exacerbation of the disease is not prescribed. It is used only after the removal of acute pain.
Manual therapy is allowed in pain, especially chronic, but only a specialist should do this. Often after several sessions, the pain syndrome is completely relieved.
Reflexology
An effective treatment for osteochondrosis is acupuncture (acupuncture). It allows you to eliminate excessive muscle hypertonicity and restore range of motion, as well as improve blood circulation.
Usually reflexology is carried out in conjunction with physiotherapy, manual therapy or moxotherapy. All these modern methods of treating osteochondrosis give positive results.