The osteochondrosis of the spine is a degenerative dystrophic pathology, which is characterized by damage to joint surfaces, intervertebral discs, muscle apparatus.The disease has a chronic path and is full of serious consequences.
The therapeutic effect of the osteocondrosis is complex.The timely diagnosis of the disease is important: the beginning of the first therapy, the greater the probability of a positive result.It is almost impossible to bring the degenerative processes back, but you can stop them in the debut phase.Progressive osteochondrosis can lead to protrusions, hernias of intervertebral records, neurological pathologies.
General information on the disease
Osteocondrosis is the most common spinal disease and one of the most frequently diagnosed human pathologies of all existing ones.The disease can be considered as a peculiar yield of our types for the revolt and benefits of civilization.In animals, osteochondrosis does not have, since their spinal column is found horizontally.
If you have periodic or regular back pain, in 75-80% of cases, these are manifestations of osteochondrosis.
In the thoracic region, degenerative changes develop less often than in the sacral and cervical of the back.Usually osteochondrosis of the thoracic 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 gradual dystrophy.
In recent decades, doctors have noticed the widespread "rejuvenation" of the disease.Osteocondrosis is also diagnosed in people of 25-30 years, which is associated with a change in the environmental state on the planet, as well as the nature of nutrition and the lifestyle of modern people.The presence of your car, office work, the preference of passive relaxation on the computer is active, for everyone, these factors do not contribute to the health of the musculoskeletal system.
The danger of breast osteochondrosis (and any other) is that it is almost impossible to restore the tissues of the intervertebral discs: it means that the segments affected by dystrophic and degenerative transformations are condemned to a slowed but inexorable destruction.The task of the treatment for osteochondrosis is to stop the destruction of hard and soft tissues and minimize the risk of complications.
Characteristics of the Toolo -Oceocondosis
The osteochondrosis of the thoracic area negatively affects the human ability of the active movement.The progression of the disease is also full of pinches of the nerve endings of the spinal cord, which inevitably affects the functional state of the internal organs.In advanced clinical situations of breast osteochondrosis, it causes cardiac function, breathing problems.
The thoracic region stands out for low mobility;The load is not as big as on the neck and on the lower back.The anatomically mothers vertebrae are connected to the ribs and sternums and jointly represent a sedentary and strong design, protected from external damage and influences.For this reason, breast osteochondosis is rarely manifested in the initial phase.The same circumstance determines the relative rarity of the diagnosis of "mammary osteochondrosis".
The provocative factors of the disease are usually injuries, violations of posture, scoliosis and other anatomical disorders.The signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region occur quite late, usually in the phase of compression of the nerve roots.
How to manifest thoracic osteochondosis
The first manifestation of the disease is the pain between the shoulder blades.Pain intensifies loads or, on the contrary, manifests itself in the morning after a long stay in one location.Often the pain passes along the interstal nerve and occurs when sneezing, cough, rapid race.
Pain in the heart are possible, resembling an attack by Angina Pectoris and manifestation of heart failure.The similarity of symptoms with heart disease often leads to a incorrect diagnosis.Sometimes the symptoms resemble the signs of inflammation of the bladder, ulcers or gastritis.To identify the real cause of the manifestations of pain, it is necessary to undergo a full clinical diagnosis.
Other signs of thoracic osteochondrosis, in addition to pain:
- Neurological symptoms: a feeling of "goosebumps" on the skin in the chest and abdomen;
- Numbness of skin areas, compromised sensitivity;
- Violations of the heart, pelvic organs (with the development of the compression of the spinal cord);
- INTERCOSTAL NEVRALGIA - Pain in the area of the ribs with a transition to the sternum (it develops in the form of convulsions and is usually caused by raising weights, hypothermia, stress);
- Dorsalgia - Rigidity of the muscles of the case and pain during inhalation/exhalation;
- Reflected muscle tension (the body tries to reduce the symptoms of pain due to the physiological immobilization of the spine concerned).
The harder the disease, the more they expressed its signs.It is important not to try to eliminate pain with analgesics and other medicines, but to determine their cause with clinical methods.The car -mediation for osteochondrosis at the best hypotheses is useless, and in the worst case it is dangerous and full of complications.
The causes of the pathology
The doctors have not completely studied the mechanisms that launch the process of degeneration of the fabrics.It is assumed that osteochondosis causes improper distribution of loads on the vertebrae with a weak muscle corset of the rear.The circumstances that increase the probability of the disease have been clarified in detail.
The main factors of influence:
- Hypodynamia (sedentary work, a tendency to passive rest);
- Excessive loads due to the birth of the activity;
- Spinal damage;
- Excess weight;
- Inheritance;
- Irrational nutrition;
- Curvature of the spine;
- Violation of posture, non -compliance with work hygiene;
- Metabolic pathologies;
- Distance processes related to age in fabrics;
- Constant exposure to vibration (for example, when working with a hammer of a hammer);
- Flat feet;
- Walking with high -wheeled shoes;
- Stress;
- Infectious diseases.
At risk for illness athletes, removals, truck drivers, manufacturers and employees.Very often, the disease has a multifactorial nature: a combination of several internal and external factors leads to its development.
The widespread opinion that osteochondosis develops due to "salts deposits" is not correct from a scientific point of view.The calcification of the discs and cartilage really occurs with the degenerative diseases of the spine, but this is not the main cause, but a consequence of the pathology.
Diagnostic methods
The identification of the disease begins with the patient's initial examination, the study of information on symptoms, the patient's lifestyle, the nature of his diet and concomitant diseases.The palpation of the areas concerned is carried out.
The following diagnostic procedures are prescribed:
- General clinical test of blood and urine;
- X -ray;
- Ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and ct;
- Myelography - the introduction of the contrast with the spinal cord to study its structure.
The most indicative diagnostic method is X -Ray.Generally, targeted radiography of specific spinal segments is performed.The images allow you to identify the atrophy of the discs (reducing their thickness), the presence of osteophytes: bone growth, changes in the form of the spine.
To exclude other pathologies with similar symptoms, consultations of cardiologists, gastroenterologists and other specialists (and relevant studies - ECG, gastroscopy).The main treatment is carried out by an orthopedist or a vertebrologist - a specialist in the spine.
Modern methods of therapy for thoracic osteochondosis
The therapeutic effect begins with the detection of the main cause of the disease.If it is an infection, the antibiotic treatment is carried out if the weakness of the muscle system is performed to strengthen it.More often, the treatment is outpatient with the exception of situations with a difficult clinic.
The main objective of the treatment is to minimize degenerative processes and their consequences.Each specific case requires the preparation of an individual treatment regime, including pharmacological effects, physiotherapy methods and further rehabilitation methods.They mainly practice conservative therapy, less commonly prescribed surgery.
Expert doctors will never suffer a treatment on the basis of an isolated methodology or purely pharmacological effects.Treating the diseases of the spine with pills that eliminate the symptoms of pain is the practice without a therapeutic perspective and a sign of a non -professional approach.However, it is impossible to do completely without drugs, especially in the acute phase of the disease.
Pharmacological treatment
Apply the following drug groups:
- Analgesics;
- Anti -inflammatory drugs;
- Steroids;
- Musorelassants to relieve spasms;
- Vitamins.
Preparations are mainly used in the initial phase of the treatment.They stop at acute pain, eliminate inflammation (if present), they stimulate metabolic processes.More often, drugs are used externally (in the form of ointments), less often - inside in the form of tablets.It is even less commonly requested to make an injection in the area concerned: this method is called "Novocaine Block".
Physiotherapy
The physiotherapy methods are administered the main role in the degenerative pathologies of the thoracic back.These methods eliminate pain, inflammation, restore the nutrition of the tissues concerned.Hardware and other exposure methods are used:
- Laser treatment;
- Magnetotherapy;
- Amplipulsterrapy;
- Exposure to ultrasound;
- Balnetherapy (water treatment);
- Paraffin therapy;
- Mud;
- Hypothermia - cold therapy;
- Electrophoresis and sounds.
The advantage of physiotherapy in its absolute security.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 physiotherapy method - reflected therapy: effect on body acupuncture points.The most famous way of reflexology is acupuncture.Cauterization is also performed, fasting.It has been shown that a competent effect on certain areas launches car mechanisms -questation, eliminates pain.
Therapeutic gymnastics
Operating therapy is a method used both for the treatment of osteocondrosis and for the prevention of complications.The physical exercises complex is selected individually.The purpose of operating therapy is to reduce pressure on the nerve roots, strengthen ligaments and muscles and prevent protrusions and hernias.
Gymnastic complexes should be performed under the guidance of a qualified instructor or in close compliance with the safety rules.It is dangerous to overload the muscles, so the exercises must be accompanied by rest periods.
Manual therapy
The osteochondrosis massage has the same objectives as physiotherapy and pain in exercise therapy, improves the functionality of the binding and muscle system and stimulates blood circulation.The professional competent massage captures the nutrition of soft tissues and cartilage, accelerates regeneration processes.The use of mechanical devices is allowed: applicators, electric and roller masseurs.
A separate type of manual therapy is osteopathy.The method provides for a specialist in diagnostic and therapeutic manipulations of the hands.This massage is distinguished by softness and physiology.Osteopathy eliminates tissue damage and has no age restrictions.
Diet
The main principles of dietary therapy for osteochondrosis: balance, the presence of all the necessary trace elements, vitamins, a reduced number of calories.Another important criterion is the presence in the menu of the products responsible for the synthesis of the cartilage tissue in the body.These compounds are called mucopolysaccharides: the greatest number of these substances is contained in idiots, jelly and flood dishes.
Radical therapy
In modern clinics, surgery with breast osteochondrosis occurs extremely rarely.Operations can only be requested if complications occur in the form of persistent root syndrome.The intervention can be assigned with the development of protrusions and hernias.
Prevention
It is much easier to prevent disease than leading long -term therapy, sometimes in the long term.The prevention of osteocondrosis should be carried out by childhood.The degenerative processes are hindered by: correct posture, dosage of loads on the spine, conformity to safety during sport, rational nutrition, sleep on the maximum flat surface.The timely detection of the first signs of the disease and the rigorous implementation of the doctor's recommendations is important.