Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, in contrast to cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis, is very rare.
This is all about the structure of the thoracic region: it has more discs than a combination of cervical and lumbar, smaller and thinner discs. The mobility of this part is generally lower, and part of the load is taken up by the ribs and sternum.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptoms can be confused, for example, with a heart attack. The reason is in the specifics of the disease.
Painful pain during movement and exercise, as in cervical or lumbar osteochondrosis, is absent in these cases, and complications associated with suspected angina pectoris or myocardial infarction or with respiratory dysfunction appear.
Reason
To a greater extent, the development of osteochondrosis is facilitated by hypodynamia - a lack of muscle load, which forms a lack of muscle corset training, weakens its function and increases the load on the ligaments and intervertebral discs.
The following conditions can also trigger osteochondrosis:
- Improper posture and curvature of the spine;
- Bad habits;
- Nervous and physical stress, stress;
- Loads the back and spine when wearing high-heeled shoes, during pregnancy and flat feet;
- Back injuries;
- Hypodynamics;
- Descendants;
- Hard work physically.
The intervertebral disc of the thoracic vertebrae is equally severely 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 does not work, especially when compared to the neck. And the load is not so large, relative, for example, to the lumbar spine. For this reason, the onset of the disease in the thoracic region is relatively rare with the presence of symptoms in the early stages of development.
Low thoracic spine mobility is associated with anatomical features - the connection of the vertebrae to the ribs and sternum makes it possible to create a fairly mobile structure and, at the same time, a strong structure, less susceptible to injuryand external influences.
The relatively small load on this department contributes to the fact that problems within it (e. g. , vertebral transplants, intervertebral hernias, disc protrusions) are relatively rare, this is confirmed by statistics. However, at the same time, their appearance can not be described as something extraordinary, for example, poor posture and scoliosis can be a kind of factor that drives the occurrence of spinal diseases.
At the same time, the symptoms of such diseases appear quite late and quite characteristic of osteochondrosis - usually representing nerve compression, in rare cases, the spinal cord itself can be compressed or damaged due to violation of blood supply, may also be narrowing due to compressionuratdan arteri.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the symptoms can be completely different, similar to the manifestations of diseases of other internal organs. Often it is thoracic osteochondrosis which is mistaken for ischemic heart disease, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer, and even myocardial infarction and pneumonia. For this the disease is called "chameleon".
Pain-related symptoms:
- Pain localized under the shoulder blades, can radiate to the intercostal nerve. This leads to neuralgia. The pain increases when a person inhales, moves actively.
- Chest pain is most often localized to the left, and may resemble ischemic heart disease. In this situation, it is important to know in time the reason why the pain appears. It is necessary to fully examine the cardiovascular system.
Neurological symptoms:
- Numbness or "chills" in the legs, upper chest and abdomen (depending on the affected disc);
- Reflex tension in chest or upper back muscles;
- In very advanced cases, it is possible to interfere with the function 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 place of localization of osteochondrosis can also be pain in the upper abdomen, heart, liver, gallbladder.
With such pain, it may sometimes be misdiagnosed. Pain in the right side of the chest below the ribs can be confused with inflammation of the gallbladder, on the left side of the chest - it can be confused with a heart attack. It is wrong to exacerbate pain in the appropriate area of the abdominal cavity for the manifestation of stomach ulcers or gastritis.
Dorsago
Dorsago is one of the symptoms of thoracic spine osteochondrosis, which is indicated by acute pain. Typically, these symptoms occur in people who sit for a long time in one position or in an uncomfortable state, with exceptional monotonous work performance.
You may experience pain in the spine in the thoracic area, tense muscles, and often shortness of breath. Intercostal neuralgia may occur.
Dorsalgia
The flare period lasts 2-3 weeks. In this case, the painful sensation gradually increases. Mild pain appears in the affected spine. As a rule, the pain manifests itself actively with deep breathing and bending forward, backward, to the side.
The nature of dorsalgia pain is very different. Pain can pull, burn, ache, cut, can be given under the legs, arms, back, shoulder blades. In terms of localization, the pain is no less different. They can appear below, above, in the middle, on the right, on the left, between the shoulder blades.
Treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis
When creating a treatment plan that determines how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic area, diagnostic data based on X-ray examination helps. Such examinations provide a clear idea of how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, as X-ray readings that indicate the growth of the vertebral body and the presence of changes in intervertebral distance (decreased height) are typical symptoms of this disease.
Treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis depends on the stage of the disease and is primarily reduced to conservative therapy. Surgery is very rare in the event of a spinal hernia.
Medicine
Drug therapy is based on the following principles:
- The use of special medications that allow you to store fluid in the intervertebral disc.
- Vitamins. Often, a complex or vitamin preparation complete with a group of B elements is determined
- Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants that reduce muscle spasms around the spine.
- Painkillers. NSAIDs and analgesics based on drug combinations.
- Chondroprotectors. It is important to catalyze the process of repairing damaged cartilage.
After the elimination of acute symptoms, massage of the muscles of the back and lower legs is applied. Manual therapy is indicated at 1-3 degrees osteochondrosis in the event of a functional blockage. It includes a variety of 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 perseverance in fulfilling the prescription of the attending physician.
Gymnastics for chest osteochondrosis
If there is osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the patient is given rehabilitative gymnastics, the main purpose of which is to increase the movement of the spinal and spinal joints. Exercise therapy (depending on regular and proper exercise) allows you to get rid of very strong muscle spasms. Moderate physical activity will help relieve cramps in the spinal space, which occurs with weak muscle corsets.
Daily sessions, supervised by experienced instructors, will have a beneficial effect on the whole body in general, and especially on the bronchopulmonary system. Patients have better lung ventilation, and they are able to breathe deeply and inhale.
Sort
Massage can not only weaken the severity of the symptoms of the disease, but also help a person to heal, effort is a positive effect of other complex therapeutic elements.
It is prescribed individually based on the clinical picture of thoracic spine osteochondrosis, the presence of chronic diseases and contraindications.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is used to relieve muscle hypertonicity and cramps, as well as to restore back mobility. Manual therapy helps smooth the blood vessels, improving nutrition and oxygen supply to the intervertebral disc tissue.
Proper position during rest and sleep
For the prevention of osteochondrosis and during the treatment period, it is necessary to arrange the correct position at rest and sleep. It is better if you sleep on a flat and hard bed, but in order not to be fanatical, if the bed does not meet the requirements, it is not recommended to sleep on the floor, because you can withstand the flu. This step is very necessary so that the spine can regain its shape quickly.
However, at first, a strong enough painful sensation may appear, which persists 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 cramps is physical therapy. Properly selected exercises relax, and, at the same time, strengthen and train the back muscles. As a result, the thoracic spine is stable and the choking spinal cord is released.
The training set for chest osteochondrosis is done as follows:
- Starting position - while inhaling, standing upright, feet together, arms down. Stretch your arms upwards - exhale, then bend - take a deep breath. Lower the arms, bend forward, round the back and lower the shoulders and head - exhale. Do 8 to 10 repetitions.
- Starting position - sitting in a chair. Slowly bring your hands to the back of your head - inhale, bend 5 times backwards, lean against the back of the chair with your shoulder blades - exhale.
- The starting position is to get all fours and bend your back as much as possible, lengthening for 3 seconds, so, the head stays straight for three. Do 5 - 7 repetitions.
- Starting position - comfortable to lie on your stomach and place your hands on the floor. At the same time, bend hard and try to tear the body off the floor. Do 5 - 8 repetitions.
- Starting position - lying on the abdomen with arms extended along the body. Bend at the chest, trying to lift your head and legs as much as possible. Do 5 - 8 repetitions.
If you follow all the doctor's prescriptions, then slowly but surely you can achieve a significant improvement.
Prevention
Thoracic health and other parts of the spine can be harmed by:
- long static load (sitting in front of TV, computer);
- lifting weights;
- burping habits;
- hypothermia and frequent colds.
Office workers who sit at work because their job needs to change body position more often, get up, and do physical exercises. Even moderate stretching is beneficial.