Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a rare and most "dangerous form" pathology of osteochondrosis. Due to anatomical features, this part of the spine relatively rarely undergoes degeneration. The twelve vertebrae of the department are strongly connected to each other and are perfectly protected by a kind of muscular corset, which significantly limits the range of motion between them. The ribs give extra rigidity to the vertebrae.
The most likely reason for the formation of chest osteochondrosis is scoliosis, which is formed even at school desks. Risk factors for damage to the intervertebral disc can be:
- hereditary factors;
- improper nutrition and overweight;
- labor activities related to restriction of movement;
- excessive physical activity;
- age factors and hypothermia;
- instability of vertebral disc segments;
- smoking and nervous tension;
- bruises, fractures and spinal injuries are the most favorable factors for the formation of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and Signs
A hallmark of breast osteochondrosis is pain. It is common to divide them into types:
- Lumbago - dorsago. Manifestations of acute and sudden pain in the affected vertebral disc area. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are the result of a 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 or lift yourself.
- Dorsalgia. Increased pain when trying to inhale and when moving the trunk. The muscles in the back are tense and movement may be limited in any area of the spine.
Visceral (internal) manifestations.
With chest osteochondrosis, the symptoms are rich in internal (visceral) manifestations.
Defeat of the upper thoracic nerve root causes pain in the esophagus and pain in the pharynx.
Pressure on the affected area of the spine causes an increase in pain. It can be paroxysmal.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, indicated by pain in the abdomen, indicate damage to the nerve endings of the central thoracic region, which gives rise to increased pain when lying on the back for a long time.
Compression of the 8th and 9th spinal roots causes pain in the duodenal area. The sensitivity of the anterior part of the abdominal wall is affected.
Abnormal gastric motility (secretion and peristalsis) is a characteristic symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Result:
- dizziness and vomiting;
- heartburn;
- pain in the left hypochondrium;
- bloated stomach;
- diarrhea or constipation.
Dysfunction of the duodenum (secretory and motor) leads to:
- nausea and belching;
- in the right hypochondrium there is pain and heaviness.
Often, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is indicated by symptoms characteristic of other diseases, for example, angina pectoris. At the same time, pain in the heart is observed: cutting, pressing, burning of the heart or squeezing of the throat.
With laryngospasm - due to pathology at the stage of the cervical vertebrae, symptoms develop markedly:
- shortness of breath and cough;
- wheezing;
- breathing difficulties.
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, symptoms and manifestations similar to those of lung pathology, it is necessary to accurately establish their involvement in spinal diseases.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
When devising a treatment plan that determines how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, diagnostic data based on X-ray examination helps. Such examinations provide a clear picture of how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, because X-ray readings showing proliferation of the vertebral body and the presence of changes in intervertebral distance (decreased height) are characteristic symptoms of this disease.
Based on diagnostic examination data, the leading symptomatology is determined, the clinical diagnosis is explained, which makes it possible to determine the correct tactics.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine directly depends on the syndrome, stage of development and the presence of background disease.
To relieve pain, restore the impaired function of the spinal root nerves, prevent the development of degenerative changes in the structure of the spine, conservative methods are used, combined with complex step -by -step treatment.
Treatment of chest osteochondrosis includes several physiotherapeutic procedures:
- inductometry and electrophoresis;
- laser therapy and vacuum therapy;
- sinusoidal modeling and diadynamic currents;
- magneto and pharmacopunctures;
- acupuncture.
Drug therapy:
- vasoregulatory and muscle relaxant diuretics (muscle relaxants and venotonics);
- paravertebral novocrine blockade.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for thoracic osteochondrosis is a key stage of the recovery process. Strengthens muscles and mobility of the spine. Exercise for chest osteochondrosis helps improve ventilation in patients who are breathing in causing pain.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is effective:
- when the spine is stretched;
- when establishing proper breathing.
But we must not forget that gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis is only effective when all the causes of the disease are identified and eliminated.
If the prescribed course of treatment does not bring positive results, various methods of surgical intervention are used, based on the stated symptoms and the degree of destruction.
Osteochondrosis of the cervix-thorax
Cervicothoracic osteochondrosis is a disease caused by a (degenerative-dystrophic) process that affects the discs of the cervical spine.
Vertebrae located close to each other are not adequately protected by a relatively underdeveloped muscular skeleton. Even a slight pressure on the neck causes myelopathy.
The main symptoms
Symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis are indicated:
- disorders of the sensitivity of the muscles of the neck, skin, hands and face;
- attacks of headache and dizziness;
- walking instability;
- increased fatigue, impaired vision and hearing.
The pain radiates to the arm, extending from the most part of the shoulder to the fingertips, causing numbness of the skin, even a slight movement of the neck, can cause a sensation of electric current along the arm.
Myelopathy can cause:
- lung and heart disorders;
- double vision;
- numb tongue.
Treatment of disease exacerbation
The use of complex therapies in the treatment of exacerbation of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis makes it possible to obtain lasting positive results. It includes:
- The method of orthopedic correction is the fixation of the neck with the Chance collar, which supports the head, significantly relieves the pressure on the cervical vertebrae, and contributes to their alignment.
- Methods of using pharmacopunctures-anti-inflammatory drugs (preferably homeopathy), to relieve muscle spasms and prevent the severity of radicular compression.
- Chondroprotectors - to prevent the development of damage to cartilage tissue.
- Drugs that help strengthen the vertebral disc-ligaments.
- Acupuncture is used to quickly relieve pain, relieve muscle spasms, and restore spinal nerve function. This method is very effective and its use during exacerbations prevents the progression of the disease for many years.
- Hirudotherapy - treatment with leeches promotes scarring of damaged fibrous rings in the discs, eliminates nerve root edema, and improves blood circulation in the spinal discs.
- Drug therapy - biogenic stimulants, drugs that improve peripheral circulation, vitamins.
- Massage - to relieve cramped muscles, to restore and strengthen them.
In the final 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 its deterioration and various complications caused by it.