Osteochondrosis, which affects the chest spine, is often disguised as internal organ pathologies.It manifests itself by pain in the heart, shortness of breath, the feeling of lack of air during inhalation, panic attacks.Therefore, the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondosis is somewhat difficult.After discovery, conservative treatment with the use of drugs, physiotherapy and exercise therapy is carried out.And with serious damage to infants and vertebrae, surgery is necessary.
A brief description of the disease
Thoracic osteochondosis is a dystrophic degenerative vertebral 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 - osteophytes growth, which are affected by osteochondrosis of the chest segment.This causes a strong restriction of mobility, compression of blood vessels and vertebral roots.
Degree of pathology
The degree of osteochondosis is a set of symptoms characteristic of a certain radiographic stage.
I degree
In X -ray images, no modification is generally found.But the intervertebral disc has already started to collapse due to the inability to keep the humidity necessary to restore its tissues.Sometimes there are weak and uncomfortable sensations in the back, quickly disappearing after a short rest.
II Diploma
The fibrous ring is loose, fibrous.One of the cracks on the surface of the disc increases, a pulpose nucleus extends to it.On X -rays, a decrease in the distance between adjacent vertebral bodies due to a decrease in the height of the disc is perceptible.Due to constant compensatory muscle tension, the mobility of the chest region is limited, moderate painful sensations occur.
III Diploma
The integrity of the fibrous ring is raped, so that the pulpose nucleus is in a hurry beyond its limits.An hernial projection is formed - the main cause of pronounced symptoms and serious complications of thoracic osteochondosis.The bodies of the vertebrae are distorted, unique osteophytes are formed. Pain in the chest region becomes constant, the volume of movements in the spine is considerably reduced.
IV diploma
Crush fabric growth, the formation of several osteophytes are clearly visible in X -rays images.The adjacent vertebral bodies are blocked, immobilized.Rine syndrome is developing, often a discogenous myelopathy occurs - the compression of the spinal cord, dangerous with its irreversible consequences.One person can barely use in everyday life, loses the ability to fulfill professional tasks.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Thoracic osteochondosis in people over 40 to 45 is developing due to the natural aging of the body: slowing down catering reactions, reducing the production of collagen, which causes elasticity and force of ligaments.At a younger age, it occurs following an increased load on the spine or in the bottom of the pathologies which are 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 cyphosis, scoliosis.
The premature destruction of the discs can cause injuries to the previous spine, a sedentary lifestyle and a lack of vitamins and origin in the body.
Characteristic signs and symptoms of the disease
Thoracic osteochondosis is developing gradually, first showing itself.It is in this current that its danger is.A person takes weak pain and discomfort on the back for banal muscle fatigue after a working day, a house or in the garden and does not look for medical care.Consequently, generally in patients, a pathology of severity of 2 to 3 is diagnosed, which can hardly have fun with conservative treatment.
At the very beginning
During the period of exacerbation, the pathology can manifest itself by the pain between the blades which occur during the inclination, the rotation of the body.The volume of movements is reduced, there are many specific relapse signs.
Chest pain
With osteochondrosis, the pain in the chest appears first.They are localized fuzzy, can be given to their hands, with collarbones, with ribs.The pain in the heart is expressed strongly or moderately, resembles an attack on angina, are not eliminated by taking nitroglycerin.Sometimes they are similar to the sensations that occur with the exacerbation of cholecystitis, pancreatitis.But unlike the lesions of the pancreas or the gallbladder, pain is not accompanied by an increase in the formation of gas, stomach burns and swelling of the abdomen.
Feel in the chest
The pain between the shoulder blades is sometimes accompanied by a feeling of lack of air during inhalation.A person should scare, without understanding the reasons for this state.Doctors recommend that they do not panic, but to sit down and measure the pulse.If the resulting value does not exceed 100 beats per minute, the probability of lung or altered heart is extremely low.
Other symptoms
Gradually, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are aggravated by a sensitivity disorder.There are sensations of numbness, tingling, crawling goosebumps.From time to time, there are conditions resembling panic attacks.They are characterized by fear, the increase in heart rate, excessive sweating, the cold evaporates.If these symptoms are accompanied by pain, it is necessary to take nitroglycerin and call a doctor.A similar set of symptoms can indicate a myocardial infarction.
The vertebral roots located in the chest region innervent the internal organs.With their irritation, their compression, the work of the gastrointestinal tract, the liver is upset.Peristalsis is disrupted, epigastric pain, stomach burns, belching occurs.
Signs at the Subaigu stadium
After exacerbation, the subabigal stage of the thoracic osteochondosis course occurs.Pain and respiratory problems are preserved, but they are much less intense.A person no longer seeks a long position of a body in which pain is not felt.The duration of the subaiguelian step is two weeks.
Discount
At the stage of remission, low discomfort when changing time or hypothermia can occur.Acute pain only appears with osteochondrosis of 2-4 due to a rotation or too clear inclination of the body.The exacerbations of chronic pathologies, stress, an increase in physical activity, a prolonged conclusion in a position of the body are capable of causing the next relapse.
Diagnostic principles of the disease
The neurologist establishes an initial diagnosis based on patient complaints, anamnesis data.During an external examination, he detects in the stitch area of the point, when he is in a hurry on which pain occurs.Performing functional tests allows you to assess the safety of reflexes, to identify sensitivity disorders.Among the instrumental methods, radiography is the most informative.But for a detailed study of the vertebral segment, CT, MRI can be carried out.To exclude diseases from the cardiovascular system, patients are prescribed ECG.
How to treat mammary osteochondosis
Only an integrated approach to treatment will allow you to get rid of all the symptoms of osteochondrosis, slow down or completely stop its spread to healthy discs and vertebrae.In the pathology of 1 to 2 degrees of severity, conservative methods of therapy are used.3-4 degree osteochondrosis is characterized by the formation of large hernies.To eliminate compression of blood vessels and vertebral roots, surgical treatment may be necessary.
Drug
At the initial stage, funds for parenteral administration are generally used which quickly have a therapeutic effect.A few days later, injection solutions were replaced by safer tablets, ointments and fixes.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs have an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and pronounced decongestant effect.Stop acute pain allows intramuscular administration of solutions.To eliminate the weak and uncomfortable sensations between the shoulder blades are used for the local application.And with moderate pain, NSAIDs are well handled for oral administration.
Musory
To eliminate muscle cramps occurring in response to intense pain, muscle relaxants are used.Most often, the treatment of thoracic osteochondosis begins with the intramuscular administration of the drug, which, in addition to the musorelaxing, includes an anesthesia.
Chondroprotector
With a pathology of the 1st degree of severity of the chondroprotective course, it helps to restore damaged discs.In other cases, they are prescribed to improve metabolism in the affected segment of the spine, the prevention of the progression of the disease.
B Vitamins B Vitamins
Their use helps to increase blood circulation, improve the work of the peripheral nervous system, restore trophism and innervation.A complex of vitamins B has a favorable effect on degenerative diseases of nerves and motor devices.
Medical physical education
With 1st degree thoracic osoracic osteochondosis, the daily exercises of physiotherapy exercises allow you to do medication.Recovery occurs by strengthening muscles, improving blood supply to tissues with nutrients.In other cases, regular load and training help prevent involvement in the destructive process of healthy vertebrates, extend the stage of remission.
Standing position complex
In a standing position, the following healing exercises are the most effective therapeutically:
- Put your palms on your shoulders, lean forward, while raising your legs folded at the same time, as if you were trying to get the opposite knee with your elbow;
- Lift your left hand, lean on the right.Perform the exercise in the opposite direction;
- Get your legs on your legs - width, raise your hand.Lean forward, touching the palm of the opposite foot.
The number of rehearsals is 10 to 12 times in 2-3 approaches.
Of the position of going to bed
To perform these exercises, you will need a gymnastics carpet or a dense double folded blanket:
- Lie on your stomach, lift your arms and legs simultaneously;
- Lying on your back, lift your upper body, stretch with the palms to the traces;
- Lying on your back, fold one leg, start behind another, trying to touch the ground surface with a knee.
Each exercise must be carried out 7 to 10 times.
Of the sitting situation
When you perform such exercises, net and high -amplitude movements must be avoided, including torsion:
- Sitting on the ground, extending forward, trying to touch the palm of the opposite foot;
- Sitting on a chair or stool, stretch your arms forward and turn slowly from side to side;
- Sitting on the ground, slow down the knee with your hands, pull it as much as possible from the chest.
In the first classes, repeat the exercises 5 to 7 times, after about a month-15 to 20 times.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, magnetotherapy, laser treatment, UHF therapy, sinusoidal currents, shock wave therapy, paraffin and mountain wax are used.With exacerbations, electrophoresis, ultrafonophoresis with glucocorticosteroids, anesthetics, group B vitamins, chondroprotectors are carried out.
Massage
The massage carried out by a specialist helps to eliminate pain between the shoulder blades, to relax the spasmodic skeletal muscles.
With osteochondrosis, all types of massage are therapeutically effective - classic, empty, acupunctural and connective tissue.At home, self-massage is convenient to perform using a wooden or electric masseur with a long handle.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture - The pathology treatment method by installing needles in bioactive points on the human body.They are thin, short, therefore when drilling the skin from time to time, only weak and uncomfortable sensations occur.But even such an effect is enough for the production of substances in the body with an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Nutrition
Nutritionists recommend that patients with mammary osteochondosis abandon fat, rich soups, smoked meats, homemade marinades and factory.The amount of salt that causes edema formation should be limited in nutrition.Each day, you should drink about 2.5 liters of liquid - water, vegetable juices, berry fruit drinks, fruit compounds.
Folk remedies
Celery root
Peel the large root of the celery, grind on a fine ratier, press the juice.Add 100 g of freshly felled fresh green celery.Take 3 tablespoons to 4 times a day during meals to clean the vertebral structures of harmful salts deposits.
Sunflower root
Pour a teaspoon of dry crushed sunflower roots with a glass of hot water.Bring to a boil, simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, cool under the lid, tender.Drink at 3-4 doses during the day.
Home ointment
In a mortar, grind along a tablespoon of a gum turpentine and thick honey, add 2 drops of juniper, rosemary, essential oils from eucalyptus.Introduce small portions of 100 g of medical oil jelly.Stir, transfer to a pot, keep in the refrigerator, rub on the back with pain.
Prevention and forecast
The prognosis is favorable with rapid detection of the disease, performing a competent complex treatment.If the complications of mammary osteochondosis have developed, compliance only with all medical recommendations will reach stable remission.
As a prevention of pathology, neurologists recommend excluding factors causing it from the usual lifestyle.It is an excess weight, a low motor activity, a deficiency in vitamins and trace elements, excessive loads on the spine.