Osteonecrosis is a distrofichesko degenerative disease of the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral joints, leading to their destruction.The location of osteochondrosis in the vertebrae of the thoracic spine is called thoracic osteochondrosis.Compared with osteoarthritis of another location - cervical or lumbar - thoracic osteoarthritis is diagnosed less often, which is due to the anatomical features of the thoracic structures.It is a relatively static structure, in which the mobility of the spine is relatively low - therefore, even if a pathological process is taking place in the intervertebral discs, the likelihood of their injury is minimal.In recent times, when diagnostic capabilities are still limited, thoracic osteochondrosis is considered a privilege of elderly patients.Now it is detected not only at a young age, but even in childhood.
Why does thoracic osteonecrosis develop?
Among the causes of osteochondrosis of the chest, the following should be emphasized:
- pathologies of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs - both hereditary and acquired due to various factors;
- disorders of blood supply to the spine;
- excessive or unreasonable physical stress on the spine (during sports or from heavy work);
- disorders of mineral metabolism in the body, lack of some trace elements;
- sedentary lifestyle, sedentary occupational activities;
- weak back muscles, leading to incorrect posture and improper distribution of load on the spine;
- injury.
In addition, there are a number of factors that can cause exacerbation of the disease in the chronic course:
- injury;
- stress, excessive nervous tension;
- hypothermia of the body - generalized and local hypothermia of the back muscles;
- physical fatigue.
Why is breast osteochondrosis dangerous?
Thoracic spondylosis is a disease that is accompanied by significant pathological changes in the vertebrae and joints between vertebrae.Accordingly, the first consequence of this disease is the destruction of the structures that form the spine.The result of this can be scoliosis, diseases of the respiratory system (pneumonia, pulmonary sclerosis), circulatory disorders of internal organs, diseases of the upper digestive tract (pancreatitis, cholecystitis).The negative consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis can also affect the urogenital system.Persistent pain syndrome, characteristic of osteonecrosis, reduces quality of life and can "disguise" as other diseases, leading to inaccurate diagnosis and treatment.
How does osteochondrosis of the chest manifest?
With osteonecrosis of the chest, the symptoms are quite characteristic:
- painful - occurs when a person is in one position for a long time, as well as when moving, lifting heavy objects and doing physical activity.Characterized by a dull, constant pain in the shoulder blade area, as well as pain when trying to raise the arm;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- feeling of tightness in the chest, so deep breathing becomes difficult;
- reduced sensitivity certain skin areas;
- paraesthesia - feeling of "goosebumps" on the skin, burning, tingling;
- temperature drops some areas of the skin;
- temperature drops foot skin, itchy feeling, burning sensation in them;
- digestive disorders.
There are two main types of pain syndromes that accompany thoracic osteoarthritis: dorsalgiyu (prolonged pain in the area of cartilage between the affected vertebrae) and dorsago (severe paroxysmal pain, accompanied by muscle spasms and difficulty breathing).
Characteristics of osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine are the so-called stomach syndrome - Epigastric pain is not related to meals, time of day or year.
Degrees of bone and cartilage degeneration in the chest area
In clinical practice, there are 4 degrees of osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine, depending on the degree of cartilage damage and the involvement of surrounding structures in the pathological process.
Osteochondrosis of the chest area, grade 1: The discs between the vertebrae lose their elasticity, become slightly thinner, and local protrusions - protrusions - may appear in the fibrous rings of the discs.
Grade 2 chest cartilage degeneration: Thinning of the intervertebral discs progresses and the thoracic spine loses stability.At this stage, the pain begins to make you uncomfortable, often accompanied by neurological symptoms: paresthesia, numbness.Cracks may appear in the annulus fibrosus of the disc.
Grade 3 osteochondrosis of the chest area Corresponds to the formation of intervertebral hernia.
Osteochondrosis of the chest 4 degrees Characterized by complete loss of shock-absorbing properties between vertebral discs.The convergence of the vertebrae becomes significant and bone tissue begins to deteriorate.Blood vessels and nerves are compressed in the spinal canal, leading to persistent neurological symptoms, severe pain syndrome and circulatory disorders.
Diagnosis of thoracic osteonecrosis
The diagnosis of "thoracic osteonecrosis" is made on the basis of a patient survey, examination and examination: X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging.X-ray examination helps to locate spinal lesions, and magnetic resonance imaging helps clarify the diagnosis and exclude the presence of benign and malignant tumors.
Some symptoms of thoracic osteoarthritis are nonspecific - similar signs may indicate other diseases.This explains quite frequent errors in diagnosis, for example, when a patient is treated for pancreatitis for a long time due to pain, the real cause of which is osteoarthritis of the chest.Therefore, a comprehensive diagnosis and the involvement of relevant specialists - gastroenterologists, pulmonologists - for additional examination of the patient are very important.
Osteoarthritis of the chest: treatment
Considering that recovery of destroyed cartilage tissue is impossible, effective treatment of thoracic osteoarthritis is possible only in the early stages of the disease, when the cartilage has not yet lost its structure.Therefore, it is especially important to consult a doctor promptly - at the appearance of the first manifestations of pathology, back discomfort, mild pain, numbness or burning of the skin.
In the early stages of the disease, treatment includes taking non-narcotic analgesics to relieve pain and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process in the tissues and also eliminate pain.However, the main emphasis in the treatment of early stages of osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine is the use of hondroprotektorov.This is the name of a group of drugs aimed at restoring normal metabolism in cartilage tissue, which leads to improving the fertility of cartilage tissue and slowing down its destruction.
As the pathological process progresses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation, as a rule, become insufficient, forcing the doctor to supplement therapy with gluco-corticosteroid drugs.In addition, diuretics can be added to the medication list to eliminate swelling in the compressed spinal nerve roots and thereby reduce the corresponding symptoms and neuropathic pain.Including antispasmodic drugs in therapy can eliminate muscle spasms that accompany osteoarthritis in the thoracic spine.
With the development of intervertebral hernias and destruction of bone tissue of the vertebrae, conservative treatment loses its effectiveness;The only reasonable alternative is surgical treatment of osteoarthritis.
Physical therapy for thoracic osteoarthritis
Outside of severe disease stages, physical therapy brings good results.Effective treatments for osteochondrosis in the chest area include:
- laser therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- traction - both dry and wet;
- vacuum therapy;
- acupuncture;
- farmakopunktura.
Additionally, common and effective physical therapy methods for thoracic osteoarthritis include massage and manual therapy.Patients with thoracic osteoarthritis should undergo preventive massage courses at least twice a year.At the same time, all operations must be as gentle as possible, only performed outside of severe stages so as not to aggravate the pathological process.
Exercise therapy for thoracic osteoarthritis
An important component of the complex treatment of thoracic osteoarthritis of the spine is physical therapy (physical therapy). The purpose of the exercises is to restore the mobility of the intervertebral joints, eliminate muscle spasms and eliminate stiffness in the spine.Exercise therapy allows you to increase the strength of the muscle corset, as well as increase the patient's physical mobility in general, which is an important factor in stimulating blood circulation and restoring pulmonary ventilation.
Before performing a particular set of exercises, you should do a gentle warm-up to warm up your muscles or take a warm bath.Warming up thoroughly before exercising helps avoid injury.Every movement must be smooth;Avoid sharp turns, which can aggravate spinal injuries.
Thoracic spondylosis is a chronic disease that significantly reduces the patient's quality of life and is dangerous due to its complications.Timely consultation with a doctor and competent comprehensive treatment, starting from the first signs of the disease, will help stop the pathological process and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.