Osteochondrosis of the spine is a degenerative-dystrophic pathology, which is characterized by damage to the articular surfaces, intervertebral discs, muscle-ligamentous apparatus.The disease has a chronic course and is fraught with serious consequences.
The therapeutic effect of osteochondrosis is complex.Timely diagnosis of the disease is important - the sooner therapy begin, the higher the probability of a positive outcome.It is almost impossible to turn back the degenerative processes, but you can stop them in the debut stage.Progressive osteochondrosis can lead to protrusions, hernias of intervertebral discs, neurological pathologies.
General information about the disease
Osteochondrosis is the most common spinal disease and one of the most frequently diagnosed human pathologies of all existing ones.The disease can be considered as a peculiar reckoning of our type for uprising and the benefits of civilization.In animals, osteochondrosis does not have, since their spinal column is located horizontally.
If you have periodic or regular back pain, in 75-80% of cases, these are manifestations of osteochondrosis.
In the thoracic region, degenerative changes develop less often than in the sacral and cervicals of the back.Usually osteochondrosis of the thoracic region occurs after 40 years.The predisposing factors are both excessive loads on the spine and a sedentary lifestyle.In the latter case, blood circulation and nutrition of cartilage and bone structures are disturbed, which leads to their gradual dystrophy.
In recent decades, doctors have noted the widespread "rejuvenation" of the disease.Osteochondrosis is diagnosed even in people 25-30 years old, which is associated with a change in environmental status on the planet, as well as the nature of the nutrition and the way of life of modern people.The presence of your own car, office work, the preference of passive relaxation at the computer is active-all these factors do not contribute to the health of the musculoskeletal system.
The danger of breast (and any other) osteochondrosis is that it is almost impossible to restore the tissues of the intervertebral discs: it means that the segments affected by dystrophic and degenerative transformations are doomed to slow, but inexorable destruction.The task of treatment for osteochondrosis is to stop the destruction of hard and soft tissues and minimize the risk of complications.
Features of thoracic osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic zone negatively affects the human ability to active movement.The progression of the disease is also fraught with pinches of the nerve endings of the spinal cord, which inevitably affects the functional status of internal organs.In advanced clinical situations of breast osteochondrosis, causes heart function, breathing problems.
The thoracic region is distinguished by low mobility;The load on it is not as large as on the neck and lower back.Anatomically breast vertebrae are connected to the ribs and sternum and jointly represent a sedentary and strong design, protected from damage and external influences.For this reason, breast osteochondrosis rarely manifests itself at the initial stage.The same circumstance determines the relative rarity of the diagnosis of "breast osteochondrosis" ..
The provocative factors of the disease usually are injuries, violations of posture, scoliosis and other anatomical disorders.Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are manifested quite late, usually at the stage of compression of nerve roots.
How to manifest the chest osteochondrosis
The first manifestation of the disease is the pain between the shoulder blades.Pain intensifies at loads or, conversely, manifest in the morning after a long stay in one position.Often, the pain passes along the intercostal nerve and occurs when sneezing, cough, fast running.
Pains in the heart are possible, resembling an attack of angina pectoris and manifestation of heart failure.The similarity of symptoms with heart disease often leads to an erroneous diagnosis.Sometimes symptoms resemble signs of inflammation of the bladder, ulcers or gastritis.To identify the true cause of pain manifestations, it is necessary to undergo a full -fledged clinical diagnosis.
Other signs of thoracic osteochondrosis, in addition to pain:
- Neurological symptoms - a feeling of "goosebumps" on the skin in the chest and abdomen;
- Numbness of skin areas, impaired sensitivity;
- Violations of the heart, pelvic organs (with the development of compression of the spinal cord);
- Intercostal neuralgia - pain in the area of ribs with a transition to the sternum (develops in the form of seizures and is usually provoked by lifting weights, hypothermia, stress);
- Dorsalgia - stiffness of the muscles of the case and pain during inhalation/exhalation;
- Reflex muscle tension (the body tries to reduce pain symptoms due to the physiological immobilization of the affected spine).
The longer the disease lasts, the more expressed its signs.It is important not to try to eliminate pain with analgesics and other medicines, but to determine their cause by clinical methods.Self -medication for osteochondrosis at best is pointless, and in the worst it is dangerous and fraught with complications.
The causes of pathology
Doctors did not fully study the mechanisms that launch the process of tissue degeneration.It is assumed that osteochondrosis causes improper distribution of loads on the vertebrae with a weak muscle corset of the back.Circumstances that increase the likelihood of the disease have been clarified in detail.
The main factors of influence:
- Hypodynamia (sedentary work, a tendency to passive rest);
- Excessive loads due to the birth of activity;
- Spinal damage;
- Excess weight;
- Heredity;
- Irrational nutrition;
- Curvature of the spine;
- Violation of posture, non -compliance with labor hygiene;
- Metabolic pathologies;
- Age -related dystrophic processes in tissues;
- Constant exposure to vibration (for example, when working with a jack of a hammer);
- Flat feet;
- Walking in high -heeled shoes;
- Stress;
- Infectious diseases.
At risk for the disease-athletes, movers, truck drivers, builders, and office workers.Most often, the disease has a multifactorial nature - a combination of several internal and external factors leads to its development.
The widespread opinion that osteochondrosis develops due to “deposits of salts” is incorrect from a scientific point of view.Calcification of disks and cartilage really takes place with degenerative diseases of the spine, but this is not the root cause, but a consequence of the pathology.
Diagnostic methods
The identification of the disease begins with the initial examination of the patient, the study of information about the symptoms, the lifestyle of the patient, the nature of his nutrition, and concomitant diseases.Palpation of the affected areas is carried out.
The following diagnostic procedures are prescribed:
- General clinic test of blood and urine;
- Radiography;
- Ultrasound, MRI and CT;
- Myelography - the introduction of contrast to the spinal cord to study its structure.
The most indicative diagnostic method is X -ray.Typically, aimed radiography of specific spinal segments is performed.Pictures make it possible to identify atrophy of discs (reducing their thickness), the presence of osteophytes - bone growths, changes in the shape of the spine.
To exclude other pathologies with similar symptoms, consultations of cardiologists, gastroenterologists and other specialists (and relevant studies - ECG, gastroscopy) may be required.The main treatment is carried out by an orthopedist or a vertebrologist - a spine specialist.
Modern methods of therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis
The therapeutic effect begins with the detection of the root cause of the disease.If this is an infection, antibiotic treatment is carried out if the weakness of the muscle apparatus is carried out measures to strengthen it.More often, treatment is outpatient with the exception of situations with a difficult clinic.
The main goal of treatment is to minimize degenerative processes and their consequences.Each specific case requires the preparation of an individual treatment regimen, including drug effects, physiotherapeutic methods and methods of further rehabilitation.They practice mainly conservative therapy, less commonly prescribed surgery.
Experienced doctors will never undergo treatment based on an isolated methodology or purely drug effects.To treat diseases of the spine with pills that eliminate pain symptoms is practice without a therapeutic perspective and a sign of an unprofessional approach.However, it is impossible to completely do without medication - especially at the acute stage of the disease.
Drug treatment
Apply the following groups of drugs:
- Analgesics;
- Anti -inflammatory drugs;
- Steroids;
- Musorelaxants to relieve spasms;
- Vitamins.
Preparations are used mainly at the initial stage of treatment.They stop acute pain, eliminate inflammation (if any), stimulate metabolic processes.More often, drugs are used externally (in the form of ointments), less often - inside in the form of tablets.It is even less commonly required to make an injection in the affected area - this method is called the "novocaine blockade".
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic methods are given the leading role in degenerative pathologies of the thoracic back.These methods eliminate pain, inflammation, restore the nutrition of affected tissues.Hardware and other methods of exposure are used:
- Laser treatment;
- Magnetotherapy;
- Amplipulsterrapy;
- Exposure to ultrasound;
- Balneotherapy (treatment with water);
- Paraffin therapy;
- Mud;
- Hypothermia - cold therapy;
- Electrophoresis and phonophoresis.
The advantage of physiotherapy in its absolute safety.This method has no contraindications for health reasons.The competent use of physical techniques provides a healing effect even in the most difficult cases.
Independent physiotherapeutic method - reflex therapy: effect on the acupuncture points of the body.The most famous way of reflexology is acupuncture.Cauterization is also carried out, acupressure.It is proved that a competent effect on certain zones launches self -healing mechanisms, eliminates pain.
Therapeutic gymnastics
Exercise therapy is a method that is used both for the treatment of osteochondrosis and for the prevention of complications.The complex of physical exercises is selected individually.The purpose of the exercise therapy is to reduce the pressure on the nerve roots, strengthen the ligaments and muscles, and prevent protrusions and hernias.
Gymnastic complexes should be performed either under the guidance of a qualified instructor, or in strict accordance with the safety rules.It is dangerous to overload the muscles, so the exercises must be accompanied by periods of rest.
Manual therapy
Massage for osteochondrosis has the same goals as physiotherapy and exercise therapy-reduce pain, improve the functionality of the ligamentous and muscular apparatus, and stimulate blood circulation.Professional competent massage seizes nutrition of soft tissues and cartilage, accelerates regeneration processes.The use of mechanical devices - applicators, electric and roller massagers is allowed.
A separate type of manual therapy is osteopathy.The method involves a specialist in diagnostic and therapeutic manipulations of the hands.Such massage is distinguished by softness and physiologicity.Osteopathy eliminates tissue damage and has no age restrictions.
Diet
The main principles of diet therapy for osteochondrosis: balance, the presence of all the necessary trace elements, vitamins, a reduced number of calories.Another important criterion is the presence in the menu of products responsible for the synthesis of cartilage tissue in the body.These compounds are called mucopolysaccharides: the largest number of such substances are contained in jerks, jelly, and flood dishes.
Radical therapy
In modern clinics, surgery with breast osteochondrosis resorts extremely rarely.Operations may be required only if complications occur in the form of persistent radicular syndrome.Intervention can be assigned with the development of protrusions and hernias.
Prevention
It is much easier to prevent the disease than to conduct long -term, sometimes long -term therapy.Prevention of osteochondrosis should be carried out from childhood.Degenerative processes are hindered by: proper posture, dosing of loads on the spine, compliance with safety during sports, rational nutrition, sleep on the maximum flat surface.The timely detection of the first signs of the disease and the strict implementation of the doctor’s recommendations is important.