Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a rare pathology and the most "insidious form" of osteochondrosis. Due to the 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 significantly limits the range of motion 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 is formed even at the school desk. The risk factor for damage to the intervertebral disc can be:
- hereditary factor;
- inappropriate nutrition and overweight;
- labor activity associated with limitation of movements;
- exorbitant physical activity;
- age factor and hypothermia;
- instability of the segments of the vertebral discs;
- smoking and nervous strain;
- 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 acute, sudden pain in the area of the affected vertebral discs. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are the result of a prolonged sedentary position, when you have to sit at a table, bending over, for a long time. Sharp pain (lumbago) occurs when you try to stand up or raise yourself.
- Dorsalgia. Increased pain when trying to take a deep breath and when moving the trunk. The muscles in the back are tense and movement may be limited in any spinal region.
Visceral (internal) manifestations
With osteochondrosis of the chest, 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 thoracic region, manifested by pain in the stomach, indicate damage to the nerve endings of the middle thoracic region, which provoke increased pain when lying on the 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 chest osteochondrosis.
Result:
- nausea and vomiting;
- heartburn;
- 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 pectoris. At the same time, pain in the heart is noted: cutting, pressing, burning the heart or squeezing the throat.
With laryngospasm - the result of pathology at the level of 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 those of pulmonary pathology, it is necessary to accurately establish their involvement in the disease of the spine.
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 an 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.
Based on the data of the diagnostic examination, the leading symptomatology is determined, the clinical diagnosis is clarified, which makes it possible to determine the correct tactics.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine directly depends on the syndromes, stage of development and the presence of background diseases.
To relieve pain, restore impaired functions of the nerves of the spinal roots, 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 chest osteochondrosis includes a number of physiotherapeutic procedures:
- inductometry and electrophoresis;
- laser therapy and vacuum therapy;
- sinusoidal-modeled and diadynamic currents;
- magneto and pharmacopuncture;
- acupuncture.
Drug therapy:
- vasoregulatory diuretic and muscle-relaxing drugs (muscle relaxants and venotonics);
- paravertebral novokoin blockade.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for thoracic osteochondrosis is the main stage of the recovery process. Strengthens the muscles and mobility of the spine. Exercise for chest osteochondrosis helps to improve ventilation in those patients in whom deep breathing causes pain.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is effective:
- when the spine is stretched;
- when setting correct breathing.
But we must not forget that gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis is effective only when all the causes of the disease are identified and eliminated.
If the prescribed course of treatment has not brought positive results, various methods of surgical intervention are used, based 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.
Vertebrae located close to each other are not adequately protected by a relatively poorly developed muscular frame. 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 attacks;
- unsteadiness of gait;
- increased fatigue, vision and hearing deteriorate.
The pain radiates into the arm, extending from the very shoulder to the fingertips, causes numbness of the skin, even a slight movement of the neck, can cause a sensation of electric current along the entire arm.
Myelopathy can cause:
- disorders of the lungs and heart;
- 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 makes it possible to obtain a lasting positive result. It includes:
- The method of orthopedic correction is the fixation of the neck with the Chance collar, which supports the head, significantly relieving stress on the cervical vertebrae, and contributes to their alignment.
- The method using pharmacopuncture - anti-inflammatory drugs (preferably homeopathic), to relax spasmodic muscles and prevent the aggravation of radicular compression.
- Chondroprotectors - to prevent the development of damage to cartilage tissues.
- Drugs that help to strengthen the disc-ligamentous apparatus of the vertebral discs.
- Acupuncture is used to quickly relieve pain, relieve muscle spasm, and restore the functioning of the spinal nerves. 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 scarring 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 spasmodic muscles, to restore and strengthen them.
In the final period of treatment, subject to the elimination of muscle spasm and inflammatory processes, they connect - manual therapy, osteopathy, exercise therapy.
Timely treatment of any disease will prevent exacerbations and various complications caused by them.