Thoracic lumbar osteochondrosis is less common compared to similar pathologies affecting adjacent segments. This is due to the strengthening effect of the chest - a strong and flexible frame made of ribs supports the intervertebral joints well. Although osteochondrosis develops in this segment, it rarely reaches late stages. The ribs partially release the load from the cartilage discs, preventing them from collapsing under strong and long-term stress.
Osteochondrosis of the chest often develops in men - naturally they have to do more difficult and harmful work. However, if a woman is in a similar working condition, the risk of osteochondrosis increases dramatically. Women's ligaments and muscles are naturally more elastic and stretched, which protects the weaker sex from chest degenerative damage.
In men, on the contrary, already in adolescence, there is an "ossification" of all moving joints - primarily such changes are observed in the intercostal joints. Therefore, the clinical picture develops gradually as it is associated with slow damage to the joints between the ribs and the vertebrae. The sooner a person identifies the first symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, the more effective and concise the subsequent treatment will be.
Symptoms
Chest osteochondrosis rarely occurs without minor manifestations, but in the early stages, patients generally do not see any symptoms of the disease. Any discomfort refers to the usual fatigue that results from working for a long time or from a restless posture. However, the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis have an insidious feature - a jump and develop on the borders.
That is, the progression of manifestations is not gradual, but sudden - under the influence of any external factors. Their development is subject to a certain mechanism that occurs in the joints between the vertebrae and the ribs:
- Throughout a person's life, the mobility of the chest decreases - this is due to the thickening of the connective tissue that connects the adjacent bones.
- Metabolic products from a long and heavy load accumulate there and cause damage to "soft" structures - ligaments and cartilage.
- The intercostal joints begin to be replaced by bone tissue that forms a small growth at the site of the defect.
- At first, these thorns begin to irritate the nerve roots coming out of the neighboring spinal cord. Under their influence, reflex contraction of the surrounding muscles occurs - spasm.
- Complicates impaired mobility by making the bone cage less elastic and resilient. As a result of these changes, the nutrition of the surrounding tissues changes as the blood supply deteriorates.
- An acute cycle occurs gradually - a violation of blood flow deprives the soft tissues of the opportunity for rapid recovery. If the load continues to move, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine gradually develops.
The rate of development of the disease depends on the severity of the damaging factors and the capabilities of the body - in most patients it remains in the early stages until aging.
First degree
In the early stages, thoracic osteochondrosis is difficult to establish - the symptoms of the disease are still nonspecific. Most patients miss the first degree of the disease and seek medical attention only when severe symptoms occur. However, with a careful approach to your health, pathological symptoms can be easily identified:
- As the soft tissues are compressed at the joints between the ribs and the vertebrae, their elasticity and resilience are reduced. Therefore, when stretching or exercising, there is pain and tingling that occurs between the shoulder blades in the thoracic region.
- A similar sound is heard in the clavicle or sternum, where cartilage and connective tissue also thicken.
- Along with them, the elasticity of the shoulder girdle is impaired, which manifests itself in the difficulty of placing the hands behind. It is difficult for the patient to perform some movements - scratching the back, folding the shoulder blades.
- There is a feeling of discomfort in any part of the chest, but more in the occipital region. In this part, the main part of the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord is projected.
- Resistance to prolonged physical exertion and posture is reduced - the feeling of fatigue in the back quickly develops.
- There is a decrease in the depth of breathing - its limitation is observed when trying to take a deep breath.
At this stage, the disease can be safely treated at home, because irreversible changes in the soft tissues of the joint have not yet occurred.
Second degree
As the effects of adverse factors continue, the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis begin to intensify - patients generally seek help at this stage. The disease begins to significantly limit a person's activity - the symptoms interfere not only during work, but also at rest. Their formation is associated with the appearance of persistent changes that lead to ossification of the costal-vertebral joints:
- Pain as a result of pressure on the nerve roots is already prominent among the symptoms. It has some characteristics - the nature of burning or firing, contact with physical activity or a disturbed posture for a long time.
- Unpleasant sensations are usually identified between the shoulder blades and where they spread along the ribs. The pain impulse is always one-sided.
- The intensity of this symptom depends entirely on the movements of the body or breathing - there is an increase in pain, even when breathing quietly.
- The disease differs from the usual intercostal neuralgia in the persistence of symptoms - in the first case, the pain syndrome passes spontaneously and rapidly (within a few minutes). Thoracic spinal osteochondrosis differs in the duration of pain - it is persistent, only decreases at rest.
- Increased discomfort and stiffness in the chest, which leads to a decrease in exercise tolerance. It is more difficult for the patient to perform work related to long-term stress.
It is almost impossible to eliminate the symptoms at this stage at home - they try to use a long medication in combination with physiotherapy procedures for treatment.
Third degree
In the final stage of the disease, there is a strong deformation of the joints between the ribs and vertebrae. This puts pressure on the surrounding blood vessels and nerves leading to the internal organs. Therefore, the symptoms of the disease acquire features that are not characteristic of another pathology:
- The pain syndrome persists, acquires an intense and persistent character. The lumbago between the shoulder blades and along the ribs also disturbs the patient at rest, which is associated with constant pressure on the nerve roots.
- There are sensitive areas in the abdomen and chest - they look like stripes in the direction of the ribs. They are characterized by numbness, tingling or "creeping".
- There are periodic reflex cramps of the abdominal muscles, accompanied by unpleasant sensations.
- Symptoms of defeat may occur because the nerves of the internal organs are involved in the process. False attacks of angina pectoris, hepatic or renal colic, which simulate diseases of similar organs, are more common.
- Osteochondrosis of the chest often leads to irritable bowel syndrome - a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, the causes of which are not identified during the examination.
If the patient is so ill, even long-term treatment will not allow you to get rid of the symptoms permanently. Supportive therapy, however, will reduce the symptoms of the disease, which is firmly located in the thoracic spine.
Treatment
How is thoracic osteochondrosis treated? Assistance tactics are based on the duration of the disease - the more symptoms are expressed, the more advanced the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. Despite the frequent difficulties in prescribing medications, many patients want to undergo all treatment procedures at home. The patient does not want to spend the extra time required to go to the hospital or clinic.
In addition, sick leave is rarely given for this disease, which forces people to quit their activities as soon as possible. Feeling a little better, the last patient returns to normal activities. However, incomplete treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis causes a rapid return of previous symptoms. Therefore, many "busy" patients can perform some procedures at home - the main thing is not to give up what they started.
At home
You can do without going to the hospital only in the early stages of the disease, when all the changes in the spine return. With the help of some measures it is possible to eliminate the muscle spasm that causes the manifestations:
- It is necessary to change the place of rest - the bed where the soft tissues of the spine are restored during sleep. To do this, you need to make it stiffer, you need to buy an orthopedic mattress to exclude the wrong position of the back.
- For any activity you should use a soft corset that supports the waist and chest area - support for the waist. It should only be worn regularly to work while resting or sleeping.
- It is advisable to use warming ointments to relieve symptoms. It is applied between the shoulder blades before the upcoming load to artificially warm the muscles.
- You need to have a good habit - to exercise at home after waking up. Plus, you don't have to do it just in the morning - you need to find a few minutes to warm up for any discomfort in the back.
- You need to change your diet, increase the amount of vegetables and fruits in your diet - the vitamins they contain slow down the destruction of connective tissue.
Patients who have enough free time are advised to engage in physical activity - walking or swimming.
Conservative
With the development of visible symptoms, treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis begins with medication. Allows you to eliminate pain and other manifestations that interfere with normal functioning:
- First of all, anti-inflammatory drugs that have an analgesic effect are prescribed. They inhibit the destruction of soft tissues, which inevitably leads to the formation of bone growth.
- Muscle relaxants are also used to relieve painful muscle contractions. Their use allows the chest to return to its previous comfort and mobility.
- In addition, vitamin complexes are prescribed to protect nerve tissue. They allow the spinal cord's damaged roots to recover quickly.
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used in the form of a cream applied between the shoulder blades. However, they are generally combined only with drugs to provide synergy.
The course of medication usually lasts between 2 and 3 weeks, after which the patient is transferred to home treatment.
Surgery
Surgical treatment is usually used when medications are ineffective. Moreover, interference is not always radical:
- The most common blockade is the injection of drugs directly into the lesion. Local anesthetics are commonly used to relieve symptoms. The effect lasts for several days after the procedure.
- Blockages with the help of glucocorticosteroids are more effective - they have a therapeutic effect lasting several weeks. The composition contains hormones that suppress the inflammatory process in the area of application.
- In the most severe cases, an operation is performed - removal of deformed joints between the ribs and vertebrae. In this way, it is possible to relieve the pressure on the nerve roots and blood vessels, which leads to the elimination of most manifestations.
Surgical correction does not lead to a complete cure of the disease, but only alleviates the patient's condition. Therefore, after any manipulation, it is necessary to continue conservative therapy aimed at slowing the progression of the disease.
Rehabilitation
Elimination of the main symptoms of osteochondrosis does not mean the end of treatment. In the postoperative period, the patient takes recovery measures:
- Initially, procedures with a reflex effect are prescribed. Electrophoresis and phonophoresis, UHF and laser can eliminate reflex muscle contraction in the sternum.
- Then more active procedures begin - massage, therapeutic exercises. Helps strengthen chest muscle frame
- Recovery ends with independent training that must continue in a continuous mode. They slow down the development of osteochondrosis.
Such patients are also advised to choose sports disciplines that allow them to develop muscle endurance and strength. Therefore, patients are advised to engage in swimming and racing, which allows you to create an equal load on all muscles. Daily workouts are optional - three sessions a week are enough.