Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is relatively uncommon. Low mobility of the vertebrae due to the ribs and sternum, the presence of well-developed muscles and a blood supply system reduce the load on the vertebrae. The thoracic region bears a relatively small load - the weight of the head, cervical region and limbs of the shoulder girdle. However, with curvature of posture, constant vertical loads, age-related changes, injuries and frequent stress, the height of the intervertebral discs decreases (on average, a person loses 3.8 cm of height during the aging process). This leads to pinched nerve roots, compression or stretching of the spinal cord, and subsequently the appearance of microcracks in the spine itself. Chronic pathology is expressed in intercostal neuralgia, radiculopathy, blood clot formation, frequent radiating pain (aching, shooting, burning), which makes the patient think about heart problems. With the development of the degenerative process, several vertebrae can seem to “grow together” into a single immovable bone, which creates discomfort when moving and affects nearby vertebrae - osteochondrosis of one department has a bad tendency to spread to others over time.
What kind of disease is this?
People often confuse osteochondrosis and chondrosis. In fact, the name “chondrosis” does not exist in medical terminology - it appeared in the colloquial sphere. These two diseases have many similarities, but there are also some differences.
Osteochondrosis is pathological changes affecting the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, nerve endings, cartilage and blood vessels. It has several stages of development. The first stage is called chondrosis: this is a period of development of the disease in which a degenerative process has not yet been observed in the vertebrae, and the cartilage is already affected by pathology.
Chondrosis in the thoracic spine at the very beginning covers only a small area of the spinal column, and later spreads further, even affecting the internal organs. This disease leads to degeneration of the vertebral discs, causing them to lose their elasticity.
Chondrosis of the thoracic region is one of the stages of development of osteochondrosis
Chondrosis occurs in every third person. But this does not at all mean that the danger of such a disease is low - if you leave it to chance and do not start treatment, then complications are inevitable. Over time, the development of osteochondrosis and even the appearance of an intervertebral hernia is likely, since the bone tissue in the spine will become vulnerable to injury. In this case, pinching of nerve endings often occurs, which causes a person to experience severe pain.
The disease is quite insidious because it is extremely difficult to diagnose it in the early stages of development. The patient may not feel any discomfort and may not complain to the doctor. Symptoms in the form of pain appear later, after several months.
In order to better understand how the disease arises and develops, it is worth studying the structure of the spine. In our article you can find out what parts it consists of, how it functions, and what the thoracic region looks like.
Causes
The main reason for the occurrence of this disease is a sedentary lifestyle . People who constantly load their bodies with moderate physical activity rarely develop spinal diseases: if a person takes care of his health, then his body receives all the necessary nutrients thanks to their normal metabolism.
A sedentary lifestyle is a common cause of spinal diseases, including chondrosis in the thoracic region
If a person sits all day at work, and then, when he comes home, sits down at the computer or lies in front of the TV, then the spine experiences constant stress because there is too much load on it. And there is no “rest” in the form of sports or regular physical education. Over time, the spine loses the ability to withstand such pressure constantly, and because of this, diseases of the musculoskeletal system arise.
If it turns out that your work requires a constant sitting position, you need to devote time to sports several times a week: an hour a day spent at the stadium or in the gym will be enough, and then the risk of chondrosis in the thoracic region and other diseases will be significantly reduced.
Exercises can be done even at home
It is quite difficult to damage the thoracic region in everyday life. But if a person regularly carries heavy objects, he runs the risk of encountering thoracic chondrosis.
The image shows how to lift heavy objects so that the spine is not damaged
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The cause may also be previous spinal injuries . If a person is already familiar with a herniated disc and after that continues to be careless about his health, he may encounter chondrosis and any other diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The spine of such a person remains weakened forever, since the permanently damaged area cannot heal. Therefore, for the rest of his life he will have to balance his actions.
Intervertebral disc herniation
The reasons include scoliosis - a curvature of the spine, which over time can lead to chondrosis in the thoracic region. It is better to monitor your posture and get rid of any curvatures immediately with the help of bandages and physical therapy.
Spinal curvature
Psychosomatics studies the connection between the psyche and physical state. According to experts, stress and nervous tension can lead to chondrosis of the thoracic region. Stress puts psychological pressure on a person, which affects the entire body. A person suffering from chondrosis experiences pressure in the chest, compression and tension, which prevents him from breathing fully. Therefore, you need to take care of your emotional state, avoiding various triggers that can make you overly nervous.
If a person experiences constant stress and tension, it is likely that he will soon develop chondrosis in the thoracic region
But even a person who regularly takes care of his health can be highly susceptible to the development of chondrosis in the thoracic region, if this is “written” in his genetics. Such people need to be very careful and avoid risk factors that can cause injuries and diseases in the spine.
Treatment and prevention
Treatment of chondrosis in the thoracic region can only be prescribed after a thorough examination. This is necessary because there can be many causes for such a disease, and as can be seen from the symptoms, the disease can be confused with other ailments.
Diagnosis of suspected chondrosis in the thoracic region is extremely important: it will show a clear picture of the condition of the spine
If you want to know in more detail what an MRI of the thoracic spine shows, you can read an article about it on our portal.
Diagnosis includes a general blood test, an x-ray or an image from an MRI and CT scanner. In some cases, observation of the patient will be necessary to make a correct diagnosis. You cannot try to determine your disease on your own by observing changes in your body. You can worsen your condition and develop complications that will be much more difficult to get rid of.
If the examination is completed and a diagnosis of thoracic chondrosis is made, it is necessary to begin treatment.
This may include:
- taking medications (analgesics, muscle relaxants);
- taking vitamins to strengthen bone tissue and improve the general condition of the body;
- physical therapy exercises are always an effective way to treat and strengthen the body; the main thing is to perform the necessary exercises regularly and do it correctly so as not to harm yourself;
- physiotherapy sessions;
Physiotherapy - massages and manual therapy;
- folk remedies: various compresses, tinctures, used externally and internally.
With chondrosis in the thoracic region, folk remedies can come to the rescue, thanks to which relief is faster and easier
- proper nutrition, including food rich in nutrients and microelements that help improve health;
- giving up bad habits - they always lead to harmful consequences and imperceptibly worsen a person’s health.
Quitting bad habits is very important
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Video - Exercises for chondrosis of the thoracic spine
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is complex and consists of a combination of pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises, proper nutrition and daily routine, various types of manual intervention, as well as therapy for concomitant and provoking diseases. Therapeutic measures cannot be effective without constant - lifelong, but not complex prevention (for example, avoid hypothermia or infectious diseases, refuse to carry heavy loads, etc.).
Medicines: how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Although osteochondrosis does not respond to medication alone, the use of drugs contributes to symptomatic treatment and improvement of metabolic processes in tissues. As a rule, medications are prescribed when pain and pronounced degenerative changes appear in order to eliminate discomfort and complications caused by compression of blood vessels and nerves.
To eliminate neurological pain, analgesics are usually prescribed, but if they are accompanied by severe muscle spasms, then antispasmodics (muscle relaxants) are added. For topical use, agents that have not only a relaxing but also a vasodilating effect are desirable. These include “warming” ointments based on bee or snake venom, propolis, and herbal ingredients.
If the pain is very severe and excludes the patient’s normal daily activity, lidocaine and novocaine blockades are indicated, the type and composition of which is determined exclusively by the attending physician.
In addition to painkillers, the following pharmacotherapeutic groups are widely used:
- anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
- muscle relaxants;
- neuroprotectors;
- vasodilators and other drugs to improve tissue trophism;
- vitamins and antioxidants;
- chondroprotectors (chondroitin, hyaluronic acid and others).
Medicines can be used orally, in the form of ointments, creams, injections, massage oils, etc.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Since the disease is directly related to deterioration of nutrition in the organs of the chest, which ensure our vital functions, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of gymnastics for the thoracic spine in osteochondrosis. In order for the lungs to effectively saturate the blood with oxygen, and the heart to actively transport it along with nutrients throughout all tissues of the body, it is important to strengthen blood vessels, maintain overall tone, eliminate stiffness and, of course, release compressed and deformed nerve roots. It is also necessary to strengthen the muscle corset so that it takes on part of the destructive load and prevents the displacement of the vertebrae. Another goal of exercise therapy is to restore the natural distance between the vertebrae and the location of the discs between them, and to prevent complications. Most of these tasks can be dealt with by manual therapy, but it shows a temporary effect - after a month’s course with a specialist, the pain may return in a month or two. To consolidate its effect and bring the disease into stable remission, doctors recommend engaging in physical therapy according to an individual plan, which takes into account the patient’s age, level of physical activity, gender, body type, stage of degenerative changes in the spine, concomitant diseases and, of course, the location of the lesions. Classes usually include a full-body warm-up, spinal stretching, and flexibility exercises that prevent the formation of osteophytes and spinal stiffness.
Morning exercises for the thoracic spine with osteochondrosis
Exercises for the thoracic spine with osteochondrosis
on average takes from 15 to 40 minutes.
Methods of traction (stretching) of the spine using special equipment are not recommended for independent training. They should only be used under specialist supervision.
5-7 reps
- Get on all fours and arch your back, looking straight ahead. Stay in this position for a few seconds. You can alternate with “cat” movements - arch your back, rounding it and tensing your core muscles.
- Lower yourself onto your stomach and bend back as deeply as possible, keeping your body supported by outstretched arms.
- Lying on your stomach and keeping your arms at your sides, bend into a boat, lifting your head and legs off the floor. A variation is possible - stretch your arms along the floor, performing a “yoke”.
3 reps
- Roll over onto your back and bend your legs. Hugging your knees, pull them towards you, lifting your sacrum off the floor and trying to straighten your legs.
- Lying down, stretch your arms along the floor behind your head. Legs are straight. Slowly extend your left arm and right leg and hold in this position. Hold for a few seconds.
- Lying on your back, extend your arms along your body and try to touch your toes to the floor behind your head. Don't bend your legs. To complicate the task, you can stretch your arms behind your head. Calmly lower your legs to the starting position on the floor.
- Turn onto your side and slowly lift your leg up to the maximum, holding it in this position for 2-3 seconds. Tighten all your muscles.
- Get on your knees and place your arms at your sides. Raise your arms straight up while inhaling. Lower your hands to the level of the sternum and spread them to the sides as far as possible, trying to close them behind your back. Lean forward slightly and, exhaling, sit on your heels. Do not hurry.
Remember, exercise therapy exercises for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine must be performed daily!
Prevention of chondrosis
Prevention of chondrosis of the thoracic spine is quite simple: you need to move as much as possible, eat right, avoid inappropriately high loads and sedentary work, and also monitor your weight and do not abuse cigarettes and alcohol. This will help anyone maintain health for many years.
Take care of your health to live a long and happy life without pain
Chondrosis of the thoracic region is an insidious disease, because for a long time it may not manifest itself in any way. But since the vertebrae are not yet damaged, healing usually occurs quickly. It will take only a little effort - and after a month you will not feel that you have ever suffered from such an illness.
How does pathology manifest itself?
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis include pain and increased muscle tone. The pain can be either short-lived with shooting or long-term aching. Recoil can be felt in the front of the chest, under the ribs and in the shoulder. The pain intensifies when staying in one position for a long time.
A characteristic sign of pathology is sensitivity to palpation of the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are similar to those of other diseases and include:
- discomfort in the heart area, reminiscent of angina pain;
- pain during breathing, shortness of breath, also manifested in pneumonia, tuberculosis, obstructive pulmonary disease;
- pain in the epigastric region, under the ribs, similar to signs of gastrointestinal diseases.