
Osteochondrosis, which affects the thoracic column, is often disguised as pathologies of the internal organs.It is manifested by pain in the heart, lack of breath, a sense of lack of air during inhalation, panic attacks.Therefore, the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is something difficult.After its discovery, a conservative treatment is carried out with the use of medicines, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.And with severe damage to babies and vertebrae, surgical intervention is required.
A brief description of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a degenerative-flagship disease.In the initial stage of their development, intervertebral discs are slowly destroyed.They become thin, fragile and radial cracks on their surface.To stabilize the bone tissues of the vertebrae with the formation of acute growth - osteophytes, which are affected by the osteochondrosis of the chest segment.This causes a strong mobility restriction, compression of blood vessels and spinal roots.
Degree of pathology
The degree of osteochondrosis is a set of symptoms characteristic of a certain radiographic stage.
I direct to
In X -ray images, no changes are found.But the intervertebral album has already begun to collapse due to the inability to retain the humidity necessary to restore its tissues.Sometimes there are weak and uncomfortable sensations on the back, disappearing rapidly after a short break.
II Grade
The fibrous ring is released, fibrous.One of the cracks on the surface of the disc increases, an octopo core extends there.In X -rays, there is a decrease in the distance between adjacent vertebral bodies due to a decrease in disc height.As a result of constant compensatory muscle tension, the mobility of the thoracic region is limited and moderate painful sensations.
III grade

The integrity of the fibrous ring is violated, so the octopo core is squeezed beyond its limits.A hernial bump is formed: the main cause of pronounced symptoms and serious complications of thoracic osteochondrosis.The bodies of the vertebrae are deformed, individual osteophytes are formed. The pain in the thoracic region becomes constant, the volume of movements in the column is reduced significantly.
IV grade
The growth of connective tissues, the formation of multiple osteophytes are clearly visible in X -ray images.The adjacent vertebral bodies are blocked, immobilized.Rine syndrome develops, discogenic myelopathy is often produced: the compression of the spinal cord, dangerous with its irreversible consequences.A person can barely serve in everyday life, lose the ability to fulfill professional duties.
Causes of Osteochondrosis of the thoracic column
Thoracic osteochondrosis in people over 40-45 years is developed due to the natural aging of the body: slowing down restoration reactions, reducing collagen production, which causes elasticity and strength of ligaments.At a younger age, it occurs as a result of the increase in column loads or at the bottom of the pathologies that 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 kyphosis, scoliosis.
The premature destruction of the discs can cause previous spinal injuries, a sedentary lifestyle and a lack of vitamins and elements trace in the body.
Signs and symptoms characteristic of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis develops gradually, at the beginning shown.It is in this current that it is your danger.A person takes pain and weak discomfort on the back for banal muscle fatigue after a day of hard work, house or in the garden and does not seek medical help.Therefore, generally in patients, a 2-3 gravity pathology is diagnosed, which can hardly be susceptible to conservative treatment.
At first
During the exacerbation period, the pathology can manifest itself through the pain between the blades that 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, pain appears in the chest.They are confusing located, they can be given in their hands, the clavicle, the ribs.The pain in the heart is expressed strongly or moderately, resembles an attack of angina pectoralis, they are not eliminated taking nitroglycerin.Sometimes they are similar to the sensations that occur with cholecystitis exacerbation, pancreatitis.But unlike pancreas lesions or gallbladder, pain is not accompanied by greater gas formation, stomach acidity and abdomen swelling.
Feeling in the chest
The pain between the shoulder blades is occasionally accompanied by a sense of lack of air during inhalation.A person is expected to scare, without understanding the reasons for this state.Doctors do not recommend panic, but to sit and measure the pulse.If the resulting value does not exceed 100 beats per minute, then the probability of lung or deteriorated heart is extremely low.
Other symptoms
Little by little, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are aggravated by a sensitivity disorder.There are numbness sensations, tingling, chicken skin kittens.From time to time there are conditions that resemble panic attacks.They are characterized by fear, the increase in beat, excessive sweating, cold evaporates.If these symptoms are accompanied by pain, then it is necessary to take nitroglycerin and call a doctor.A similar symptoms can indicate myocardial infarction.
The spinal roots located in the thoracic region innervate the internal organs.With its irritation, compression, the work of the gastrointestinal tract, the liver is upset.Peristalsis is disturbed, epigastric pain occurs, stomach acidity, eruption.
Signs in the subacute stage
After exacerbation, the subacute stage of the course of thoracic osteochondrosis occurs.Pain and breathing problems are preserved, but they are much less intense.A person no longer looks for a long position of a body in which the pain is not felt.The duration of the subacute stage is up to two weeks.
Remission
In the remission stage, weak discomfort may occur when changing climate or hypothermia.Acute pain appears only with 2-4 severity osteochondrosis due to too sharp rotation or an inclination of the body.Exacerbations of chronic pathologies, stress, greater physical activity, prolonged finding in a body position can cause the next relapse.
The principles of disease diagnosis

The neurologist makes an initial diagnosis on the basis of patient complaints, Anamnesis data.During an external examination, it is detected in the chest point area of the point, when the pain is pressed.The performance of functional tests allows you to evaluate the security of the reflexes, to identify sensitivity disorders.Of the instrumental methods, the radiography is more informative.But for a detailed study of the spinal segment, TC, magnetic resonance can be carried out.To exclude cardiovascular system diseases, patients receive ECG.
How to treat breast osteochondrosis
Only an integrated approach to treatment will allow you to get rid of all the symptoms of osteochondrosis, reduce speed or completely stop your propagation to healthy discs and vertebrae.In the pathology of 1-2 grades of gravity, conservative therapy methods are used.3-4 degree osteochondrosis is characterized by the formation of large hernias.To eliminate compression of blood vessels and spinal roots, surgical treatment may be required.
Drugs
In the initial stage, funds are usually used for parenteral administration that quickly have a therapeutic effect.A few days later, the injection solutions are replaced with tablets, hardest ointments and ending.
Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs have a pronounced analgesic effect, anti -inflammatory, decongesting.Stop acute pain allows intramuscular administration of solutions.To eliminate weak and uncomfortable sensations among shoulder blades are used for local application.And with moderate pain, the NSAIDs are well managed for oral administration.

Musorelaxantes
To eliminate muscle cramps that arise in response to severe pain, muscle relaxants are used.Very often, the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis begins with the intramuscular administration of the drug, which, in addition to the musicant, includes an anesthetic.
Condroprotectors
With a first degree of gravity pathology of the Condroprotectors course, it helps restore damaged albums.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
Its use helps increase blood flow, improve the work of the peripheral nervous system, restore trophism and innervation.A vitamins B complex has a favorable effect on degenerative nerves and the motor apparatus.
Medical Physical Education
With the thoracic osteochondrosis of the first grade, the daily exercises of physiotherapy exercises allow you to dispense with the use of drugs.The recovery occurs when the muscles strengthening, improving the blood supply to the tissue with nutrients.In other cases, regular load and training help prevent participation in the destructive process of healthy vertebrates, extend the remission stage.
Complex from the standing position
In the standing position, the following healing exercises are more therapeutically effective:
- Put the shoulder palms, lean forward, while lifting your legs bent at the same time, as if trying to get the opposite knee with the elbow;
- Lift your left hand, tilted to the right.Perform the exercise in the opposite direction;
- Leave the shoulder width of the legs, raises your hands.Lean forward, touching the palm of the opposite foot.
The number of repetitions is 10-12 times in 2-3 approaches.
From bedtime position
To perform these exercises, you will need a gymnastic carpet or a double and bent blanket:
- Lie on your stomach, simultaneously raise your arms and legs;
- Lying on the back, lift the upper body, stretch with the palms up to the steps;
- Lying on the back, bend a leg, start behind another, trying to touch the surface of the floor with a knee.
Each exercise must be done 7-10 times.
From the sitting situation
When performing such exercises, acute and high amplitude movements should be avoided, including the twist:
- Sitting on the floor, reaching forward, trying to touch the palm of the opposite foot;
- Sitting in a chair or stool, stretch your arms forward and turn slowly from side to side;
- Sitting on the floor, squeeze the knee with your hands, touch it as close as possible to the chest.
In the first classes, repeat the exercises 5 to 7 times, after approximately a month 15-20 times.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, magnetotherapy, laser therapy, UHF therapy, sinusoidal currents, shock wave, paraffin and mountain wave therapy are used.With exacerbations, electrophoresis, ultra -ophoresis with glucocortic, anesthetic, group B vitamins, condoprotectors.
Massage

The massage made by a specialist helps eliminate pain between the shoulder blades, relaxes the spasmodic skeletal muscles.
With osteochondrosis, all types of massages are therapeutically effective: classic, empty, acupuncture, connective tissue.At home, the car -most convenient to perform a wood or electric massage with a long handle.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture: The method of treating the pathology by installing needles in bioactive points in the human body.They are thin, short, so when drilling the skin occasionally, only weak and uncomfortable sensations arise.But even such effect is sufficient for the production of substances in the body with an analgesic and anti -inflammatory effect.
Nutrition
Nutritionists recommend that patients with breast osteochondrosis abandon fatty meat, rich soups, smoked meats, marinated at home and factory.The amount of salt caused by edema formation must be limited in nutrition.Every day you need to drink around 2.5 liters of liquid: water, vegetable juices, berry fruit drinks, fruit compote.

Popular remedies
Celery root
Peel the big root of the celery, grind in a fine grater, explode the juice.Add 100 g of fresh ceradate celery vegetation.Take 3 tablespoons up to 4 times a day during meals to clean the vertebral structures of harmful salts.
Sunflower root
Pour a teaspoon of dry sunflower roots with a glass of hot water.Bring to boiling, cook over low heat for 20 minutes, cool under the lid, rate.Drink at 3-4 doses during the day.
HOME ENGINE
In a mortar, move along a tablespoon of a thick rubber and honey, add 2 drops of juniper, rosemary, essential eucalyptus oils.Enter small portions of 100 g of medical oil gelatin.Stir, transfer to a bottle, store in the refrigerator, rub on the back with pain.
Prevention and prognosis
The prognosis is favorable with the timely detection of the disease, performing a competent and complex treatment.If complications of the breast osteochondrosis have been developed, then only the fulfillment of all medical recommendations will achieve a stable remission.
As a prevention of pathology, neurologists recommend excluding the factors that cause it from the usual lifestyle.This is excess weight, low motor activity, vitamin deficiency and trace elements, excessive loads in the spine.