Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a rare condition and the most "insidious form" of osteochondrosis. Due to anatomical features, this part of the spine is relatively rarely subject to degeneration. The twelve vertebrae of the department are very firmly connected to each other and are perfectly protected by a kind of corset of muscles, which considerably limits the range of movement between them. The ribs give additional rigidity to the vertebrae.
The most likely reason for the formation of osteochondrosis of the chest is scoliosis, which even forms on the school bench. The risk factor for damage to the intervertebral disc can be:
- hereditary factor;
- inappropriate nutrition and overweight;
- work activity associated with limitation of movement;
- exorbitant physical activity;
- age factor and hypothermia;
- instability of the segments of the vertebral discs;
- smoking and nervous tension;
- bruises, fractures and injuries of the spine are the most favorable factor for the formation of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and signs
A hallmark of breast osteochondrosis is pain. It is customary to subdivide it into types:
- Lumbago - dorsago. The manifestation of sharp and sudden pain in the area of the affected vertebral discs. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are the result of prolonged sedentary position, when you have to sit at a table, bent over, for a long time. Sharp pain (lumbago) occurs when you try to stand up or stand up.
- Back pain. Increased pain when trying to breathe deeply and when moving the trunk. The back muscles are tense and movement may be restricted in any area of the spine.
Visceral (internal) manifestations
With osteochondrosis of the breast, the symptoms are rich in internal (visceral) manifestations.
The defeat of the upper thoracic nerve roots causes pain in the esophagus and pain in the pharynx.
Pressure on the affected area of the spine causes increased pain. It can be paroxysmal.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest region, manifested by pain in the stomach, indicate damage to the nerve endings of the middle chest region, which causes increased pain when lying on your back for a long time.
Compression of the 8th and 9th spinal roots causes pain in the duodenal region. The sensitivity of the anterior part of the abdominal wall is impaired.
Abnormal gastric motility (secretion and peristalsis) is a characteristic symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Results:
- nausea and vomiting;
- stomach pains;
- pain in the left hypochondrium;
- flatulence;
- diarrhea or constipation.
Dysfunctions of the duodenum (secretory and motor) lead to:
- nausea and belching;
- in the right hypochondrium there is pain and a feeling of heaviness.
Very often osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is manifested by symptoms characteristic of other diseases, for example, angina. At the same time, pain in the heart is noted: a cut, pressure, burning of the heart or a tightening of the throat.
With laryngospasm - the result of pathology in the cervical vertebrae, symptoms develop, manifesting themselves:
- shortness of breath and cough;
- wheezing;
- shortness of breath.
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms and manifestations of which are similar to pulmonary pathology, it is necessary to accurately establish their involvement in the disease of the spine.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
When developing a treatment plan that determines how to treat osteochondrosis of the chest region, diagnostic data based on an x-ray examination is useful. Such an examination gives a clear idea of how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, since x-ray readings indicating the proliferation of the vertebral bodies and the presence of changes in the intervertebral distance (decrease in height) are a characteristic symptom of this. sickness.
Based on the data of the diagnostic examination, the main symptomatology is determined, the clinical diagnosis is clarified, which allows to determine the correct tactics.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine directly depends on the syndromes, the stage of development and the presence of underlying diseases.
To relieve pain, restore impaired functions of the nerves of the roots of the spine, prevent the progression of degenerative changes in the structure of the spine, a conservative method is used, combined with complex step-by-step treatment.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes a number of physiotherapeutic procedures:
- inductometry and electrophoresis;
- laser therapy and vacuum therapy;
- sinusoidal and diadynamic modeling currents;
- magneto and pharmacopuncture;
- acupuncture.
Medical treatment :
- vasoregulatory and muscle relaxant diuretics (muscle relaxants and venotonics);
- paravertebral blockade of novokoin.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for thoracic osteochondrosis is the main step in the recovery process. Strengthens the muscles and mobility of the spine. Exercise for thoracic osteochondrosis helps improve ventilation in patients in whom deep breathing causes pain.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is effective:
- when the spine is stretched;
- when setting the correct breathing.
But it should be remembered that gymnastics in thoracic osteochondrosis is effective only when all the causes of the disease are identified and eliminated.
If the prescribed treatment did not give positive results, various methods of surgical intervention are used, depending on the pronounced symptoms and the level of destruction.
Cervico-thoracic osteochondrosis
Cervicothoracic osteochondrosis is a disease caused by processes (degenerative-dystrophic) affecting the discs of the cervical spine.
The vertebrae located in close proximity to each other are not sufficiently protected by a relatively undeveloped muscular framework. Even the slightest stress on the neck causes myelopathy.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis are manifested:
- disorder of the sensitivity of the muscles of the neck, skin, hands and face;
- headache and dizziness;
- instability of gait;
- increased fatigue, deterioration of vision and hearing.
The pain radiates to the arm, extending from the shoulder even to the tips of the fingers, causes numbness of the skin, even a slight movement of the neck, can cause a feeling of electric current all over the arm.
Myelopathy can cause:
- lung and heart disorders;
- double vision;
- numbness of the tongue.
Treatment of exacerbation of the disease
The use of complex therapy in the treatment of exacerbation of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis allows a lasting positive result to be achieved. He understands:
- The method of orthopedic correction is fixing the neck with the Chance collar, which supports the head, significantly relieving stress on the cervical vertebrae and helping their alignment.
- The method using pharmacopuncture - anti-inflammatory (preferably homeopathic), to relax spasmodic muscles and prevent worsening of root compression.
- Chondroprotectors - to prevent the development of damage to cartilage tissue.
- Medicines that help strengthen the discoligamentous system of the vertebral discs.
- Acupuncture is used to quickly relieve pain, relieve muscle spasms, and restore spinal nerves to function. This method is very effective, and its use during an exacerbation prevents the progression of the disease for many years.
- Hirudotherapy - treatment with leeches promotes healing of damaged fibrous rings in the discs, eliminates edema of the nerve roots, and improves blood circulation in the discs of the spine.
- Drug therapy - biogenic stimulants, drugs that improve peripheral circulation, vitamins.
- Massage - to relax, restore and strengthen spastic muscles.
In the last period of treatment, subject to the elimination of muscle spasms and inflammatory processes, they connect - manual therapy, osteopathy, exercise therapy.
Timely treatment of any disease will prevent exacerbations and the various complications that they cause.