Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, unlike cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis, is very rare.
It's all about the structure of the thoracic region: there are more discs than the cervical and lumbar combined, the discs are smaller and thinner. The mobility of this part is generally less, and part of the load is taken up by the ribs and sternum.
In osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the 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 impaired respiratory function come to the fore.
Reasons
The development of osteochondrosis is largely stimulated by hypodynamics - a deficit of muscle loads, which forms a lack of training of the muscular corset, weakening of its functions and increasing the load on the ligaments and intervertebral discs.
The following conditions can also cause osteochondrosis:
- Improper posture and lateral curvature of the spine;
- Bad habits;
- Nervous and physical strain, stress;
- Overload of 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, especially compared to the neck. And the load on it is not so great, compared to, for example, the lumbar spine. For this reason, the occurrence of diseases of the thoracic region is quite rare and there are any symptoms at an early stage of development.
Low mobility of the thoracic spine is associated with its anatomical characteristics - the connection of the vertebrae with the ribs and sternum allows the creation of a sufficiently mobile, yet strong structure that is less susceptible to injury and external influences.
The relatively small workload of this department contributes to the fact that the occurrence of any problems in it (for example, vertebral displacement, intervertebral hernia, disc protrusion) is quite rare, which is confirmed by statistics. However, at the same time, their appearance cannot be called something extraordinary, for example, poor posture and scoliosis can be a kind of provoking factors that lead to the appearance of spinal diseases.
At the same time, the symptoms of such diseases appear quite late and are quite typical of osteochondrosis - they usually represent compression of nerve roots, in rare cases compression of the spinal cord itself or its damage due to disruption of blood supply, narrowing as a result of compression of veins and arteries.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can have completely different symptoms, similar to the manifestations of other diseases of internal organs. Thoracic osteochondrosis is often mistaken for coronary heart disease, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer, and even myocardial infarction and pneumonia. That is why this disease is called "chameleon".
Pain symptoms:
- The pain is localized under the shoulder blades, it can radiate to the intercostal nerves. This leads to neuralgia. The pain increases when a person inhales and actively moves.
- Chest pain is most often localized on the left side and may resemble ischemic heart disease. In this situation, it is important to find out in time the reason why the pain occurred. It is necessary to fully examine the cardiovascular system.
Neurological symptoms:
- Stiffness or "goose" in the legs, upper chest and abdomen (depending on the affected disc);
- Reflex tension in the muscles of the chest or upper back;
- In particularly advanced cases, it is possible to disrupt the work of the pelvic organs and reduce potency in men.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, in addition to pain in the spine and back, near the site of osteochondrosis may be pain in the upper abdomen, heart, liver, gallbladder.
When such pains occur, it is sometimes possible to misdiagnose. Pain in the right side of the chest below the ribs can be mistaken for gallbladder inflammation, in the left side of the chest - it can be mistaken for a heart attack. It is wrong to consider pain in the corresponding areas of the abdominal cavity as a 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.
Spinal pain may occur in the thoracic region, muscles tense, and sometimes even difficulty breathing. Intercostal neuralgia may occur.
Dorzalgia
The ignition period will last 2-3 weeks. In this case, the painful feelings gradually increase. Mild pain appears in the affected spine. As a rule, the pain is especially actively manifested by deep breathing and bending forward, backward, to the hips.
The nature of dorsalgia can be very different. Pain can be pulling, burning, aching, cutting, can be given under the leg, arm, buttocks, shoulder blade. In terms of localization, the pain is no less varied. They can appear below, above, in the middle, on the right, on the left, between the shoulder blades.
Treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis
In the development of a treatment plan that determines the treatment of 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 indicating the growth of the vertebral body and the presence of changes at the intervertebral distance (decrease in height) are characteristic symptoms 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 spinal hernia.
Medications
Drug therapy is based on the following principles:
- Use of a special medicine that allows you to retain fluid in the intervertebral disc.
- Vitamins. Most often, full vitamin complexes or preparations with a B-group of elements are prescribed
- Spasmolytics and muscle relaxants that reduce the spasm of the muscles surrounding the spine.
- Painkillers. NSAIDs and analgesics based on drug combinations.
- Chondroprotectors. Necessary to catalyze the process of repairing damaged cartilage.
After the removal of acute events, a massage of the muscles of the back and lower extremities is applied. Manual therapy is indicated for 1-3 degrees of osteochondrosis in case of development of functional blockades. Includes various options for soft and rough effects on the back muscles.
The duration of treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis depends on the severity of the disease and the degree of age-related changes, as well as on the diligence of the patient in meeting the prescriptions of the attending physician.
Gymnastics for chest osteochondrosis
In case of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, patients are prescribed therapeutic exercises whose main purpose is to increase the mobility of the rib-spine and intervertebral joint. Exercise therapy (subject to regular and proper exercise) allows you to remove even very strong muscle cramps. Moderate physical activity will help alleviate the stiffness of the spine, which occurs with a weak muscular corset.
Daily sessions, under the supervision of an experienced instructor, will have a beneficial effect on the whole body and the bronchopulmonary system in particular. Patients have improved lung ventilation and become able to inhale and exhale painlessly.
Massage
Massage not only weakens the severity of the symptoms of the disease, but also helps a person to recover, the efforts are a positive effect of other elements of complex therapy.
It is prescribed individually on the basis of the clinical picture of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the presence of chronic diseases and contraindications.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is used to eliminate hypertonicity and muscle cramps, as well as to restore back mobility. Manual therapy helps to release blood vessels, improves nutrition and oxygen supply to the tissue of the intervertebral disc.
Correct position at rest and during sleep
For the prevention of osteochondrosis and during the treatment period, it is necessary to organize a proper position at rest and in sleep. It is best if you sleep on a flat and hard bed, but in order not to be fanatical, if the bed does not meet the requirements, sleeping on the floor is not recommended, because you can catch a cold. This measure is absolutely necessary for the spine to quickly return to its normal shape.
However, in the beginning, quite intense painful feelings can appear that last 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. Well-chosen exercises relax and at the same time strengthen and train the back muscles. As a result, the thoracic spine is stabilized and the strangulated spinal nerves are released.
A set of exercises for osteochondrosis of the chest is performed as follows:
- Starting position - as you inhale, stand up straight, fold your legs, lower your arms. Extend your arms upwards - exhale, then bend backwards - 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 bring your hands behind your head - inhale, bend 5 times, leaning the balls on the back of the chair - exhale.
- Starting position - put on all fours and bend your back as much as possible, hold for 3 seconds like this, keep your head straight three. Perform 5 - 7 reps.
- Starting position - it is comfortable to lie on your stomach and rest your hands on the floor. At the same time, bend with strength and try to tear your body off the floor. Perform 5 - 8 reps.
- Starting position - lying on your stomach with your arms outstretched. Bend at the chest, trying to raise your head and legs as much as possible. Perform 5 - 8 reps.
If you follow all the doctor's instructions, you can slowly but surely achieve a significant improvement.
Prevention
The health of the thoracic and other parts of the spine can be harmed by:
- long static loads (sitting in front of TV, computer);
- weightlifting;
- grumpy habit;
- hypothermia and frequent colds.
Office workers who sit in the workplace because of their job need to change their body position more often, get up and do physical exercises. Even simple stretching is helpful.