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OSTEOCHONDROSIS OF RACHE CHEST: CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF THE DISEASE

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Osteochondrosisis ​​a disease of modern society.

Hypodynamia, unhealthy diet leads to pathological changes in the spine.

Thoracic osteochondrosis is much less common than cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis.

This is due to the reduced mobility of this part of the spine.

According to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD 10), the disease carries the code M42.

Essence of Pathology

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a dystrophic change in the cartilage and bone tissue of the spine. The disease affects both sexes between 25 and 50 years. The insidious nature of the disease is that the symptoms are “disguised” as signs of other diseases (cardiovascular or gastric), therefore, thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed too late.

Algorithm of disease development:

  • Under the influence of unfavorable factors, the nucleus of the spinal disc becomes thinner and flattened.
  • Adjacent vertebrae approach each other, a focus of inflammation appears between them.
  • The joint capsules are stretched, the mobility of the spine decreases.
  • The spinal nerve roots are pinched.
  • The spinal cord is compressed.
  • Bone tissue of the vertebrae grows, bone processes (osteophytes) appear.

There are four stages of the disease depending on the degree of spinal injury:

Step 1 Changes in the vertebrae are not expressed, there are no bright symptoms. At this stage, the treatment gives a good effect: it is possible to restore the damaged tissue.
Step 2 This stage is characterized by the appearance of microcracks in the vertebrae, reduced mobility. The vertebrae begin to move relative to each other. Processing takes a lot of effort and time.
Step 3 The vertebral discs become thinner to the point that protrusions and hernias appear. Mobility is reduced to a minimum. At this stage, the nerves are pinched, the work of internal organs is disturbed. If you do not start treatment, it will result in disability.
Step 4 There is a complete thinning of the discs, the function of the spine is disturbed, the process of destruction of bone tissue is in progress. Neurological symptoms are pronounced.

Thoracic osteochondrosis has a wavy character, that is, the periods of remission and exacerbation alternate.

Reasons

So farthe exact causes of the disease have not been established. In medicine, there are many theories on this topic, but none of them give an accurate explanation of why the process of spinal cartilage degeneration begins. The main "culprit" is standing up walking.

The doctor makes a diagnosis based on a picture of the chest area

Provoking factors are taken into account:

  • Inheritance.
  • Congenital malformations of the spine.
  • Infectious diseases.
  • Obesity.
  • Hypodynamic.
  • Long stay in one position.
  • Unbalanced diet, in which there is a lack of vitamins and minerals.
  • Back injuries.
  • Age related changes.
  • Great physical activity (during sport or work).
  • Flat feet.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Prolonged stress.
  • Smoking.

Consequences

Without treatment, the consequences of osteochondrosis can be catastrophic.Degenerative changes cause the appearance of a hernia of the spine. Compression of thenerves results in loss of sensation in the limbs. The most serious complication is paralysis of the arms or legs.

In addition,the work of all internal organs and systems is disturbed: cardiovascular, urinary, digestive. The patient develops vegetative-vascular dystonia. The fact is that the spinal vessels are compressed, the supply of oxygen to the brain is interrupted. The patient experiences constant headaches, panic attacks, sleep disturbances. Intercostal neuralgia is also a consequence of osteochondrosis.

Symptoms

The first symptom of the disease is thefeeling of tension in the muscles of the back. Then a dull ache in the back joins her. The rest of the manifestations can be similar to the signs of other diseases, for this reason, thoracic osteochondrosis is called "chameleon".

The main symptoms of the disease are:

  • "goosebumps";
  • chest pain;
  • shooting pain between the shoulder blades, especially when rotating the body;
  • dizziness;
  • fainting;
  • pressing pain in the region of the heart;
  • swelling of the hands and feet;
  • feeling of numbness in the hands;
  • indigestion;
  • decreased sexual function;
  • acute short-term pain in the rib area;
  • fatigue, decreased performance;
  • general unease.

Diagnostics

A doctor can make a diagnosis by doing a full exam.

It is important to differentiate osteochondrosis from other diseases of the skeletal system, such as:

  • rheumatoid arthritis;
    • ostiomyelitis
  • ;
  • spondylopathy.
MRI of the thoracic spine

It is also important to exclude diseases of internal organs:

  • ischemia;
  • heart attack;
    • gastritis
  • ;
  • stomach ulcer;
  • pancreatitis;
  • kidney stones;
  • pyelonephritis;
  • tumors.

Laboratory and instrumental methods are used for diagnosis:

  • Blood test. There is a slight increase in leukocytes and ESR.
  • Blood test for electrolytes. With osteochondrosis, serum calcium levels are reduced.
  • General urinalysis.
  • Biochemistry of blood.
  • X-ray of the spine. Used to detect disc deformation, displacement of the vertebrae, the presence of a hernia.
  • MRI. Using layer-by-layer images, the degree of degenerative changes in the spine is specified.
  • Myelography. This is an X-ray examination of the spine using contrast. Allows you to assess the state of blood flow in the vessels of the spine.

Processing

Treatment of the disease is carried out on an outpatient basis. For this, conservative methods are used.Therapy focuses on:

  • pain relief;
  • reduction of inflammation;
  • elimination of compression of nerve endings;
  • restoration of cartilage tissue.

If the patient has severe pain, it is necessary to provide bed rest. With severe pain syndrome, blockage of novocaine is performed. At the same time, droppers are placed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Methods of treating osteochondrosis

Drugs include the following drugs:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Depending on the severity, the products can be injected, pills or ointments.
Painkillers -
Muscle relaxants For use with back muscle spasm.
Chondroprotectors Restore cartilage tissue.
Diuretics Reduces edema.
Vitamins of group B For general strengthening of the muscles of the back, spine and central nervous system

In the third and fourth stages of the disease, treatment is more severe. Hormonal drugs are prescribed.

The

Massageincreases the tone of the back muscles, relieves pain.The following types of massage are used:

  • classic;
    • dotted
  • ;
    • canned
  • .

Physiotherapyis ​​prescribed at the stage of remission, carried out under the supervision of a specialist. The exercises are aimed at strengthening the muscle corset, increasing the mobility of the spine, and relieving compression of the nerve roots. The patient's metabolism improves.

Manual therapy - a method of treating osteochondrosis

Physiotherapyhas a good therapeutic effect, especially at 1-2 stages. It is recommended to conduct several courses per year to avoid exacerbations. They use magnetotherapy, laser exposure, ultrasound, electrophoresis.

Manual therapyis ​​an irreplaceable method for the treatment of osteochondrosis. Blood circulation is restored, nutrition of spinal tissues improves. The qualifications of a specialist are of great importance.

Spinal tractionis ​​a controversial method. Some doctors believe that, on the contrary, it worsens the patient's condition. The essence of traction is to increase the intervertebral space with the help of special equipment. In any case, this method should be used with caution.

Acupuncture. The impact on active points not only relieves pain, but also balances the patient's psyche.

Follow a special diet. Assumes a decrease in the diet of animal fats, an increase in the amount of plant food. Nutrition must be balanced to provide the body with vitamins and minerals.

The effect of therapy is achieved by combining several treatments. Surgical treatment is extremely rare if there is no effect of conservative treatment.

Forecasting and prevention

The prognosis of the disease depends on the degree of spinal injury.It is impossible to completely cure the disease in 2-4 stages. Properly selected treatment can only relieve inflammation and stop the progression of the disease. With proper treatment, the stage of remission is reached, which should be maintained with preventive methods.

Prevention of osteochondrosis is:

  • maintain a healthy lifestyle;
  • respect for good nutrition;
  • exclusion of excessive physical exertion;
  • avoid being in the same position for a long time;
  • weight loss;
  • rapid treatment of infectious diseases.

Conclusion

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic regionis ​​a serious disease that "gets younger" every year. Due to the less mobility of this spine at the initial stage, the disease does not manifest itself.

The symptoms are nonspecific, therefore other pathologies of internal organs are suspected. It is important to make a differential diagnosis in order to make an accurate diagnosis and to prescribe an adequate treatment.

The disease is treated using conservative methods, used in combination. Surgery is extremely rare with serious complications. In the absence of correct treatment, the patient's internal organs are disturbed, the quality of life deteriorates significantly.

Negative consequences can be avoided with a correctly selected therapy and observance of preventive measures.