Osteochondrosis of the spine is a dystrophic degenerative pathology, which is characterized by damage to joint surfaces, intervertebral discs, muscular ligament devices.The disease has a chronic course and is responsible for serious consequences.
The therapeutic effect of osteochondrosis is complex.The appropriately diagnosis of the disease is important - the earlier the therapy begins, the higher the probability of a positive result.It is almost impossible to bring the degenerative processes back, but you can stop them in the first step.Progressive osteochondosis can cause protuberances, hernias of intervertebral discs, neurological pathologies.
General information on disease
Osteochondrosis is the most common vertebral disease and one of the most frequently diagnosed human pathologies of all existing pathologies.The disease can be considered as a particular calculation of our type for uprising and the advantages of civilization.In animals, osteochondrosis does not have, because their spine is located horizontally.
If you have periodic or regular back pain, in 75 to 80% of cases, they are manifestations of osteochondrosis.
In the thoracic region, degenerative changes develop less often than in the sacred and cervical collars of the back.Usually osteochondrosis in the chest region occurs after 40 years.The predisposing factors are both excessive loads on the spine and a sedentary lifestyle.In the latter case, the blood circulation and the nutrition of cartilage and bone structures are disturbed, which leads to their progressive dystrophy.
In recent decades, doctors have noted the generalized "rejuvenation" of the disease.Osteochondrosis is diagnosed even in people aged 25 to 30, which is associated with a change in environmental status on the planet, as well as the nature of the nutrition and the lifestyle of modern people.The presence of your own car, office work, the preference for passive relaxation to the computer is active - all these factors do not contribute to the health of the musculoskeletal system.
The danger of breast osteochondosis (and any other) is that it is almost impossible to restore the tissues of the intervertebral discs: this means that the segments affected by the dystrophic and degenerative transformations are doomed to balance for a slow but inexorable destruction.The task of the treatment of osteochondrosis is to stop the destruction of hard tissues and soft tissues and minimize the risk of complications.
Characteristics of thoracic osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the chest area negatively affects human capacity to active movement.The progression of the disease is also heavy with pinching of the nerve endings of the spinal cord, which inevitably affects the functional state of the internal organs.In advanced clinical situations of breast osteochondosis, causes heart function, respiratory problems.
The thoracic region is distinguished by low mobility;The load on it is not as large as on the neck and lower back.The anatomically breast vertebrae are connected to the ribs and sternum and jointly represent a sedentary and strong conception, protected from damage and external influences.For this reason, breast osteochondrosis is rarely manifested at the initial stage.The same circumstance determines the relative rarity of the diagnosis of "breast osteochondrosis".
Provocative factors of the disease are generally injuries, violations of posture, scoliosis and other anatomical disorders.The signs of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region are manifested quite late, generally at the stage of the compression of the nerve roots.
How to manifest thoracic osteochondrosis
The first manifestation of the disease is the pain between the shoulder blades.The pain intensifies to the loads or, conversely, manifests itself in the morning after a long stay in a position.Often the pain passes along the intercostal nerve and occurs during sneezing, a cough and a quick race.
The pain in the heart is possible, resembling an attack of angina and a manifestation of heart failure.The similarity of symptoms with heart disease often leads to erroneous diagnosis.Sometimes symptoms look like signs of bladder inflammation, ulcers or gastritis.To identify the real cause of pain manifestations, it is necessary to undergo a full -fledged clinical diagnosis.
Other signs of thoracic osteochondrosis, in addition to the pain:
- Neurological symptoms - a feeling of "goosebumps" on the skin of the chest and the abdomen;
- Numbness of skin areas, altered sensitivity;
- Heart violations, pelvic organs (with the development of the spinal cord compression);
- Intercostal neralgia - Pain in the area of the ribs with a transition to the sternum (develops in the form of crises and is generally caused by weights, hypothermia, stress);
- Dorsalgia - Rigidity of the muscles of the case and pain during inhalation / exhalation;
- Reflex muscle tension (the body tries to reduce the symptoms of pain due to the physiological immobilization of the affected spine).
The longer the disease lasts, the more its signs express.It is important not to try to eliminate pain with pain relievers and other drugs, but to determine their cause by clinical methods.Self-medication for osteochondrosis is useless, and in the worst, it is dangerous and responsible for complications.
The causes of pathology
Doctors have not completely studied the mechanisms that launch the tissue degeneration process.It is assumed that osteochondrosis causes poor distribution of loads on the vertebrae with a low back muscle corset.The circumstances that increase the probability of the disease have been clarified in detail.
The main influence factors:
- Hypodynamia (sedentary work, passive rest tendency);
- Excessive charges due to the birth of the activity;
- Vertebral damage;
- Excess weight;
- Heredity;
- Irrational nutrition;
- Curvature of the spine;
- Posture violation, not compliance with labor hygiene;
- Metabolic pathologies;
- Age -related dystrophic process in tissues;
- Constant exposure to vibration (for example, when you work with a jack of a hammer);
- Flat feet;
- Walking in high themed shoes;
- Stress;
- Infectious diseases.
At risk with disease-athletes, movers, truck drivers, manufacturers and office employees.Most often, the disease has a multifactorial nature - a combination of several internal and external factors leads to its development.
The widespread opinion that osteochondrosis develops due to "salt deposits" is incorrect from a scientific point of view.Calcification of discs and cartilage really takes place with degenerative diseases of the spine, but it is not the deep cause, but a consequence of pathology.
Diagnostic methods
The identification of the disease begins with the initial examination of the patient, the study of information on the symptoms, the patient's lifestyle, the nature of his nutrition and concomitant diseases.Palpation of affected areas is carried out.
The following diagnostic procedures are prescribed:
- General blood and urine clinic test;
- Radiography;
- Ultrasound, MRI and CT;
- Myelography - The introduction of the contrast to the spinal cord to study its structure.
The most indicative diagnostic method is x -Ay.As a rule, an x -ray of specific vertebral segments is carried out.The images make it possible to identify the atrophy of the discs (reducing their thickness), the presence of osteophytes - bone growth, changes in the shape of the spine.
To exclude other pathologies with similar symptoms, consultations with cardiologists, gastroenterologists and other specialists (and relevant studies - ECG, gastroscopy) may be necessary.The main treatment is carried out by an orthopedist or a vertebrologist - a specialist in the spine.
Modern therapy methods for thoracic osteochondrosis
The therapeutic effect begins with the detection of the deep cause of the disease.If it is an infection, an antibiotic treatment is carried out if the weakness of the muscle apparatus is carried out to strengthen it.More often, treatment is outpatient except for situations with a difficult clinic.
The main objective of treatment is to minimize degenerative processes and their consequences.Each specific case requires the preparation of an individual treatment regime, including the effects of drugs, physiotherapeutic methods and additional rehabilitation methods.They mainly practice conservative therapy, less commonly prescribed surgery.
Experienced doctors will never undergo treatment based on an isolated methodology or purely effects of drugs.Treating diseases of the spine with pills that eliminate the symptoms of pain is practice without therapeutic perspective and the sign of a non -professional approach.However, it is impossible to go completely without medication - especially at the acute stage of the disease.
Drugs
Apply the following groups of drugs:
- Analgesics;
- Anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Steroids;
- Musorelaxing to relieve spasms;
- Vitamins.
Preparations are used mainly at the initial stage of treatment.They stop acute pain, eliminate inflammation (if applicable) stimulate metabolic processes.Most often, drugs are used outside (in the form of ointments), less often - inside in the form of tablets.It is even less necessary to make an injection into the affected area - this method is called "blocking of novocaine".
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic methods receive the main role in degenerative pathologies of the thoracic back.These methods eliminate pain, inflammation, restore the nutrition of affected tissues.Equipment and other exposure methods are used:
- Laser treatment;
- Magnetotherapy;
- Amplipulsterrapy;
- Exhibition to ultrasound;
- Balneotherapy (treatment with water);
- Paraffin therapy;
- Mud;
- Hypothermia - Cold therapy;
- Electrophoresis and phonophoresis.
The advantage of physiotherapy in its absolute safety.This method has no contraindications for health reasons.The competent use of physical techniques provides a healing effect even in the most difficult cases.
Independent physiotherapeutic method - Reflex therapy: effect on the acupuncture points of the body.The most famous way in reflexology is acupuncture.Cauterization is also carried out, acupressure.It is proven that a competent effect on certain areas launches self-eating mechanisms eliminates pain.
Therapeutic gymnastics
Exercise therapy is a method used both for the treatment of osteochondrosis and for the prevention of complications.The physical exercise complex is individually selected.The purpose of exercise therapy is to reduce pressure on nerve roots, strengthen ligaments and muscles and prevent protuberances and hernias.
Gymnastic complexes must be carried out either under the direction of a qualified instructor, or strict in accordance with safety rules.It is dangerous to overload the muscles, so exercises must be accompanied by rest periods.
Manual therapy
Massage of osteochondrosis has the same objectives as physiotherapy and pain therapy pain, improves the functionality of the ligament and muscle apparatus and stimulates blood circulation.Professional competent massage captures nutrition of soft fabrics and cartilage, accelerates the regeneration processes.The use of mechanical devices - applicators, electric and rollers is authorized.
A distinct type of manual therapy is osteopathy.The method implies a specialist in diagnostic and therapeutic handling of the hands.Such a massage is distinguished by sweetness and physiological.Osteopathy eliminates tissue lesions and has no age restriction.
Diet
The main principles of food therapy for osteochondrosis: balance, presence of all the necessary trace elements, vitamins, number of calories reduced.Another important criterion is the presence of the menu of products responsible for the synthesis of the cartilage fabric in the body.These compounds are called mucopolysaccharides: the largest number of such substances are contained in tremors, jelly and flood dishes.
Radical therapy
In modern clinics, surgery with breast osteochondosis has been extremely rarely raising.Operations can only be necessary if complications occur in the form of persistent radicular syndrome.The intervention can be attributed with the development of protuberances and hernies.
Prevention
It is much easier to prevent disease than to carry out long -term treatment in the long term.The prevention of osteochondrosis must be carried out from childhood.The degenerative processes are hampered by: a good posture, a loading of loads on the spine, compliance with safety during sports, rational nutrition, sleep on the maximum flat surface.Quick detection of the first signs of the disease and the strict implementation of the doctor's recommendations are important.