Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, in contrast to cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis, is very rare.
It's all about the structure of the thoracic region: it has more discs than the cervical and lumbar combined, the discs are smaller and thinner. The mobility of this section is generally lower, and part of the load is taken by the ribs and sternum.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptoms can be confused, for example, with a heart attack. The reason for this is in the specifics of the disease.
Painful pain during movement and exertion, as in cervical or lumbar osteochondrosis, is not present in this case, and complications associated with suspected angina pectoris or myocardial infarction or with impaired respiratory function come to the fore.
Reasons
To a greater extent, the development of osteochondrosis is facilitated by hypodynamia - a deficit of muscle loads, which forms the lack of training of the muscular corset, weakening of its functions and an increase in the load on the ligaments and intervertebral discs.
The following conditions can also trigger the onset of osteochondrosis:
- Incorrect posture and lateral curvature of the spine;
- Bad habits;
- Nervous and physical strain, stress;
- Overloading the back and spine when wearing high-heeled shoes, during pregnancy and flat feet;
- Back injuries;
- Hypodynamics;
- Heredity;
- Physically hard work.
The intervertebral discs of the thoracic vertebrae are equally badly affected by a sedentary lifestyle and physical activity, which increases the likelihood of injury.
What is the specificity of the thoracic spine?
Everyone knows that the thoracic region is functionally inactive, in particular when compared to the neck. And the load on it is not so big, relative, for example, to the lumbar spine. For this reason, the onset of a disease of the thoracic region is quite rare with any symptoms at an early stage of development.
Low mobility of the thoracic spine is associated with its anatomical features - the connection of the vertebrae with the ribs and sternum makes it possible to create a sufficiently mobile and, at the same time, strong structure, which is less susceptible to injury and external influences.
The relatively small load on this department contributes to the fact that the occurrence of any problems in it (for example, displacement of the vertebrae, intervertebral hernia, disc protrusion) are quite rare, this is confirmed by statistics. However, at the same time, their appearance cannot be called something extraordinary, for example, poor posture and scoliosis can be some kind of provoking factors leading to the occurrence of spinal diseases.
At the same time, the symptoms of such diseases appear quite late and are quite typical for osteochondrosis - they usually represent compression of the nerve roots, in rare cases, compression of the spinal cord itself or its damage due to a violation of blood supply, it is also possible narrowing as a result of compression of the veinsand arteries.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptoms can be completely different, similar to the manifestations of other diseases of internal organs. Often it is thoracic osteochondrosis that is mistaken for ischemic heart disease, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer, and even myocardial infarction and pneumonia. For this this disease is called "chameleon".
Pain Symptoms:
- The pain is localized below the shoulder blades, may radiate to the intercostal nerves. This leads to neuralgia. The pain increases when a person takes a breath, actively moves.
- Chest pain is most often localized to the left, and may resemble ischemic heart disease. In this situation, it is important to find out the cause of the pain in time. It is necessary to fully examine the cardiovascular system.
Neurological symptoms:
- Numbness or “goose bumps” in the legs, upper chest and abdomen (depending on the affected disc);
- Reflex tension in the muscles of the chest or upper back;
- In especially advanced cases, it is possible to disrupt the functioning of the pelvic organs, a decrease in potency in men.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, in addition to pain in the spine and back, near the site of osteochondrosis localization can also be pain in the upper abdomen, heart, liver, gall bladder.
With the appearance of such pain, it is sometimes possible to be misdiagnosed. Pain in the right side of the chest under the ribs can be confused with inflammation of the gallbladder, in the left side of the chest - it can be confused with a heart attack. It is wrong to mistake pain in the corresponding areas of the abdominal cavity for the manifestation of a stomach ulcer or gastritis.
Dorsago
Dorsago is one of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, which is manifested by acute pain. Usually, this symptom occurs in people who sit for a long time in one position or in an uncomfortable position, with monotonous performance of monotonous work.
You may experience pain in the spine in the thoracic region, muscles tense, and it is often difficult to breathe. Intercostal neuralgia may occur.
Dorsalgia
The flare-up period will last 2-3 weeks. In this case, the painful sensations gradually increase. Mild pains appear in the affected spine. As a rule, pain manifests itself especially actively with deep breathing and bending forward, backward, to the sides.
The nature of dorsalgia pain can be very different. The pain can be pulling, burning, aching, cutting, can be given under the leg, arm, buttock, shoulder blade. In terms of localization, pains are no less diverse. They can appear below, above, in the middle, on the right, on the left, between the shoulder blades.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
When drawing up a treatment plan that determines how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, diagnostic data based on X-ray examination help. Such an examination gives a clear idea of how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, because X-ray readings that indicate the growth of the vertebral bodies and the presence of changes in the intervertebral distance (decrease in height) are a characteristic symptom of this disease.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine depends on the stage of the disease and is mainly reduced to conservative therapy. Surgery is extremely rare in the case of a spinal hernia.
Medication
Drug therapy is based on the following principles:
- Use of a special drug that allows you to keep fluid inside the intervertebral disc.
- Vitamins. Most often, full vitamin complexes or preparations with the B-group of elements are prescribed
- Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants that reduce spasm of the muscles surrounding the spine.
- Painkillers. NSAIDs and analgesics based on drug combinations.
- Chondroprotectors. Essential for catalyzing the process of repairing damaged cartilage.
After the elimination of acute events, massage of the muscles of the back and lower extremities is applied. Manual therapy is indicated at 1-3 degrees of osteochondrosis in the case of the development of functional blockages. It includes various options for soft and rough effects on the back muscles.
The duration of treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine depends on the severity of the disease and the degree of age-related changes, as well as on the patient's diligence in fulfilling the prescriptions of the attending physician.
Gymnastics for chest osteochondrosis
In case of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, patients are prescribed therapeutic exercises, the main purpose of which is to increase the mobility of the costal-vertebral and intervertebral joints. Exercise therapy (subject to regular and correct exercise) allows you to eliminate even very strong muscle spasms. Moderate physical activity will help relieve stiffness in the spinal column, which occurs with a weak muscle corset.
Daily sessions, supervised by an experienced instructor, will have a beneficial effect on the entire body in general, and in particular on the bronchopulmonary system. Patients have improved ventilation of the lungs, and they become able to painlessly take deep breaths and exhalations.
Massage
Massage not only weakens the severity of the symptoms of the disease, but also helps a person to recover, efforts are a positive effect from other elements of complex therapy.
It is prescribed individually based on the clinical picture of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the presence of chronic diseases and contraindications.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is used to eliminate muscle hypertonicity and spasms, as well as to restore back mobility. Manual therapy helps to release blood vessels, improve nutrition and oxygen supply to intervertebral disc tissues.
Correct position at rest and during sleep
For the prevention of osteochondrosis and during the treatment period, it is necessary to organize the correct position on rest and in sleep. It is best if you sleep on an even and hard bed, but so that this is not fanatic, if the bed does not meet the requirements, it is not recommended to sleep on the floor, as you can catch a cold. This measure is very necessary so that the spine can quickly restore its normal shape.
However, at first, quite intense painful sensations may appear, which persist until the vertebrae take a physiological position. To relieve pain and discomfort, you can place a roller under the affected area.
Exercises
The most effective treatment for muscle spasm is physical therapy. Well-chosen exercises relax, and, at the same time, strengthen and train the back muscles. As a result, the thoracic spine is stabilized and strangulated spinal nerves are released.
The set of exercises for chest osteochondrosis is carried out as follows:
- Starting position - while inhaling, stand up straight, legs together, arms down. Stretch your arms up - exhale, then bend back - take a deep breath. Lower your arms, bend forward, round your back and lower your shoulders and head - exhale. Perform 8 to 10 repetitions.
- Starting position - sitting on a chair. Slowly put your hands behind your head - inhale, bend back 5 times, leaning against the back of a chair with your shoulder blades - exhale.
- The starting position is to get on all fours and bend your back as much as possible, linger for 3 seconds so, keep your head straight for three. Perform 5 - 7 repetitions.
- Starting position - it is comfortable to lie on your stomach and rest your hands on the floor. At the same time, bend back with force and try to tear the body off the floor. Perform 5 - 8 repetitions.
- Starting position - lying on the stomach with arms extended along the body. Bend in the chest, trying to raise your head and legs as much as possible. Perform 5 - 8 repetitions.
If you follow all the doctor's prescriptions, then slowly but surely you can achieve a significant improvement.
Prevention
Health of the thoracic and other parts of the spine can be harmed by:
- long static loads (sitting in front of the TV, computer);
- weight lifting;
- slouching habit;
- hypothermia and frequent colds.
Office workers who sit in the workplace due to their duty of service need to change their body position more often, get up, do physical exercises. Even simple stretching is beneficial.