Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in bone and cartilage tissue in one or more of its parts. The development of thoracic osteonecrosis is much less common than similar manifestations in the cervical and lumbar spine. This is due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the middle part of the human back, where the mobility of the vertebrae is somewhat limited. This greatly reduces the chance of injury. A few decades ago, this type of osteonecrosis was more common in older people. Today, the disease also affects younger men and women. Children are no exception.
Description
Osteoma of the thoracic spine is a disease of the skeletal system, characterized by damage to the discs, vertebrae and their degenerative changes. In the early stages of the disease, the symptoms are mild, making it an obstacle to early diagnosis. However, over time, the disease gets worse.
Gradually, the ligamentous apparatus also participates in this process. Less often, complications develop, which manifest themselves in the form of atrophy of muscle tissue and are accompanied by decreased sensitivity and dysfunction of internal organs.
In more severe cases, with necrosis of the rib cage, cartilage and bone begin to break down. At the same time, early aging of the musculoskeletal system was recorded.
Against the background of this disease, diseases such as:
- prostatitis;
- pulmonary fibrosis;
- atrophy of the organs of the reproductive system, often leading to infertility;
- atherosclerosis;
- cancerous tumor.
According to medical statistics, thoracic spine osteosarcoma occurs equally in men and women.
Symptoms of the disease
Osteoma of the thoracic spine has a number of specific features, among them are:
- chest pain occurs when the body is often and for a long time in one position;
- pain syndrome with increased exertion, for example, when lifting weights;
- appearance of difficulty in breathing in and out, accompanied by a feeling of squeezing in the middle of the back;
- persistent shoulder pain;
- numbness of certain parts of the body;
- periodic occurrence of a prolonged feeling of cold, accompanied by chills;
- decrease in body temperature in the legs;
- itching and burning in the lower extremities.
With a deterioration in the function of the vascular system of the thoracic spine, the patient has a number of characteristic signs:
- skin peeling;
- thin and fragile nails;
- abdominal pain, bloating;
- stool disorders, in which attacks of diarrhea can be replaced by constipation;
- nausea, heartburn;
- symptoms of intercostal neuralgia;
- reduced sexual activity.
With thoracic osteonecrosis, there are two types of pain syndromes:
- Back pain (back pain).
- Dorsago (back side).
The first is the manifestation of persistent pain in the areas of damage to the vertebrae and discs. The second is severe paroxysmal pain of an acute nature, accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the muscles and shortness of breath.
One of the complications that accompany osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine is gastritis, or rather its exacerbations, characterized by pain in the epigastrium.
Causes of osteonecrosis
The development of osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine is due to pathological changes occurring in the intervertebral discs. The causes of this disease can be:
- genetic predisposition;
- herniation, disc malformation;
- formation of bone-forming substances;
- cartilage destruction;
- inadequate blood supply to the spinal canal, which has developed due to clamping of the vessels and arteries;
- degeneration of bones, cartilage and muscle tissue due to improperly distributed loads on the spine;
- Metabolic disorder due to lack of calcium in the body.
Factors that play a role in the cause of pathological changes are:
- lifting heavy objects;
- sedentary work;
- stay in one position for a long time;
- uneven load on the spine;
- spinal cord injury;
- scoliosis.
Thoracic cystic fibrosis is often diagnosed in specialists involved in strength sports.
Diagnose
Thoracic osteosarcoma requires a mandatory diagnosis and differentiates it from other diseases with similar symptoms. Through a thorough examination, the following are excluded:
- angina;
- heart attack;
- pneumonia;
- pathology with gastric symptoms.
In this way, misdiagnosis can be avoided. The assessment of the patient's condition is made on the basis of the medical history, taking into account all symptoms of the disease and the patient's complaints.
To confirm the diagnosis, clarify the location of the affected areas, identify benign and cancerous tumors, progressive instrumental methods are used:
- X-ray;
- CT;
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
To determine the degree of inflammatory process in osteonecrosis, blood and urine tests are prescribed.
The treatment
Treatment regimens for thoracic osteonecrosis are developed individually. Chondrosis refers to diseases that can disrupt internal organs, so it must be treated.
In this case, an integrated approach is needed. Medical treatment is required.
Conservative treatment
The patient is prescribed painkillers and drugs with anti-inflammatory effects. With the help of these drugs, by reducing pain and inflammation, the mobility of the vertebrae in the thoracic region is ensured. Acute manifestations are quickly stopped by injection.
In parallel, to improve the condition of bones and cartilage, chondroprotectors, minerals and vitamin complexes are prescribed.
The elimination of muscle spasm is provided by muscle relaxants.
To accelerate the effect, therapeutic ointments and topical creams can be used.
Patients undergoing vertebral blockade, with the help of which it is possible to relieve pain. Solutions for injection contain corticosteroids and antiseptics.
It is not possible to cure thoracic osteosarcoma with drugs alone. We are talking about measures such as lifestyle modification, proper nutrition, massage, therapeutic exercise and others. It is possible to accelerate the recovery process if physiotherapeutic procedures are included in the treatment regimen: magnetic fields, lasers, vacuum therapy, traction methods, etc. v.
In cases where drug therapy is not effective, surgery may be indicated. Sometimes surgery is the only option. The absolute indications for surgery are spinal instability, spinal stenosis, or spinal herniation.
Proper nutrition organization
With osteonecrosis, a salt-free diet is provided. In addition, it is necessary to exclude spicy, fatty, fried foods, smoked meat, alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee; Limit the use of sugar, spices and mayonnaise.
Otherwise, the nutrition must be as balanced as possible and contain all the vitamins and minerals aimed at improving the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
The daily menu should include foods rich in calcium and phosphorus. This list includes cottage cheese, hard cheese, milk, low-fat sea fish and meat. Vegetables, fruits and any greens will be useful.
exercise therapy
The complex of physiotherapeutic exercises includes special exercises aimed at increasing mobility of the problem spine area, eliminating unnecessary stress on certain elements of the skeletal system and eliminatingmuscle spasms in the ankle region.
To perform the exercises, you will need an exercise stick and an exercise mat. Clothing should be as comfortable as possible and not restrict movement.
Before starting classes, to warm up the muscles, you should do a warm-up: slowly and alternately, rotate the legs and arms and rotate the torso, pelvis and head in different directions. If the movement of the body causes pain, it should be made smoother or stopped.
Examples of exercises for thoracic osteonecrosis:
- Starting position: lying on your stomach, hands behind your head. First you need to spread your elbows as wide as you can, then raise your shoulders and torso. Hold this position for three seconds. Do the exercise 5 times in a row.
- Starting position: same. With your hands behind your back, fold your palms into the lock. Bend over, try to raise your arms. Hold for three seconds. Do it at least 5 times.
- Posture: stand on the floor, feet shoulder width apart. Place your hands on your shoulders: left to left shoulder, to right. Raise your shoulders one at a time, pointing your head in the direction of the movement. Do it 10 times.
- Lie on your stomach, straighten your arms forward. Elevate the body. Do it 5 times in a row. Then put your hands along your body and at the same time raise your body.
- Sit on a chair, holding an exercise stick in front of you. Breathe deeply while keeping your body straight. When exhaling, the arms with the bullet line bend to the knees, the body leans forward. Do it many times.
- Stand on the floor, raise your hands on the exercise stick over your shoulders. Perform a turn to the right, then to the left 10 times.
- Sit in a chair, lean back on your back. Bend strongly, using the ribcage. Do at least 10 movements.
This exercise can be done at home. But before that, it is highly recommended to consult a specialist.
Traditional medicine methods
Folk remedies will help to definitively treat the manifestations of thoracic osteosarcoma faster. Medicines based on active natural ingredients are successfully used as an adjuvant therapy. A few effective recipes:
- Rub for external use. It is prepared as follows: in equal parts you need to take dandelion roots, mint leaves, birch buds, coriander. Chop the ingredients and mix. Then 3 tbsp. l. mix (with a slide), pour half a glass of boiling water and leave on slow heat for 5 minutes. Cool, add 75 g butter and 75 g sunflower oil. Set to cook for an additional 15 minutes. Rub in problem areas, then immediately bandage or wrap.
- Tool. For its preparation, you can use fresh horseradish juice, steamed herb sage leaves or flax seeds.
- Analgesic. Prepare like this: 2 tbsp. l. chrysanthemum color should be poured with 350 ml of boiling water and left on slow heat for 5 minutes. Then cool down, tension. Take 125 ml 3 times a day after meals.
- Good deal. For cooking in equal parts are taken: hop cones, ground into flour, and melted lard. The ingredients are mixed. Used as a massage to relieve muscle tension.
All these medicines are prepared at home, but you can only use them to treat your disease after consulting a specialist.