Thoracic spine osteochondrosis is a rare pathology and the "most insidious form" of osteochondrosis. Due to the anatomical characteristics, this part of the spine is relatively rarely prone to degeneration. The twelve vertebrae of the department are very tightly 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 extra stiffness to the vertebrae.
The most probable reason for the development of osteochondrosis of the chest is scoliosis, which is formed even in school. The risk factor for intervertebral disc damage may be:
- hereditary factor;
- inadequate diet and overweight;
- work activity related to limitation of movement;
- excessive physical activity;
- age factor and hypothermia;
- instability of vertebral disc segments;
- smoking and nervous strain;
- bruises, fractures and spinal injuries are the most favorable factors for the development of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and signs
A feature of osteochondrosis of the breast is pain. It is common to divide into types:
- Lumbago - dorsago. Manifestation of acute, sudden pain in the affected vertebrae. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are the result of prolonged sitting position, when you have to sit at a table for a long time, bend over. Acute pain (lumbago) occurs when you try to get up or get up.
- Dorsalgia. Increased pain when trying to take a deep breath and when moving the torso. The muscles in the back are tense and movement can be restricted in any region of the spine.
Visceral (internal) manifestations
In osteochondrosis of the chest, the symptoms are rich in internal (visceral) manifestations.
Defeat of the roots of the upper thoracic nerve causes pain in the esophagus and sore throat.
Pressure on the affected area of the spine causes increased pain. It can be paroxysmal.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, which are manifested by stomach pain, indicate damage to the nerve endings of the middle thoracic part, which causes increased pain when lying on your 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 motility of the stomach (secretion and peristalsis) is a characteristic symptom of osteochondrosis of the chest.
result:
- nausea and vomiting;
- heartburn;
- pain in the left hypochondrium;
- bloating;
- diarrhea or constipation.
Duodenal dysfunctions (secretory and motor) lead to:
- nausea and belching;
- pain and heaviness occur in the right hypochondrium.
Very often osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is manifested by symptoms characteristic of other diseases, for example, angina pectoris. At the same time, there is pain in the heart: cutting, pressing, burning of the heart or tightness of the throat.
With laryngospasm - the result of pathology at the level of the cervical spine, develop symptoms that manifest themselves:
- shortness of breath and cough;
- whistling;
- difficulty breathing.
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, whose symptoms and manifestations are similar to the symptoms of pulmonary pathology, it is necessary to accurately determine their involvement in spinal disease.
Treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis
Diagnostic data based on X-ray examination help to develop a treatment plan that determines the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Such an examination gives a clear idea of how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, because X-ray readings indicating proliferation of the vertebral body and the presence of changes in intervertebral distance (reduction in height) are characteristic symptoms of this disease.
Based on the data of the diagnostic examination, the leading symptomatology is determined, the clinical diagnosis is clarified, which enables the determination of 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 alleviate pain, restore the disturbed functions of the spinal root nerves, prevent the progression of degenerative changes in the structure of the spine, a conservative method is used in combination with a complex step-by-step treatment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest includes a number of physiotherapeutic procedures:
- inductometry and electrophoresis;
- laser therapy and vacuum therapy;
- sinusoidally modeled and diadynamic currents;
- magneto and pharmacopuncture;
- acupuncture.
Drug therapy:
- vasoregulatory diuretics and muscle relaxants (muscle relaxants and venotonics);
- paravertebral novocoin block.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy of thoracic osteochondrosis is the main phase of the recovery process. It strengthens the muscles and mobility of the spine. Exercise for osteochondrosis of the chest 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 proper 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, different methods of surgical intervention are used, depending on the symptoms and the degree of destruction.
Cervico-thoracic osteochondrosis
Cervicothoracic osteochondrosis is a disease caused by processes (degenerative-dystrophic) that affect the discs of the cervical spine.
Vertebrae that are close to each other are not adequately protected by a relatively poorly developed muscular framework. Even the slightest stress on the neck causes myelopathy.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis are manifested:
- sensitivity disorder of the muscles of the neck, skin, arms and face;
- attacks of headache and dizziness;
- gait instability;
- increased fatigue, impaired vision and hearing.
The pain spreads to the arm, extends from the shoulder to the fingertips, causes numbness of the skin, even a slight movement of the neck, can cause a feeling of electric current along the entire arm.
Myelopathy can cause:
- lung and heart disorders;
- double vision;
- numbness of the tongue.
Treatment of disease exacerbation
The use of complex therapy in the treatment of exacerbation of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis allows to achieve a lasting positive result. This includes:
- The method of orthopedic correction is the fixation of the neck with the Chance necklace, which supports the head, significantly relieves the tension of the cervical vertebrae and contributes to their alignment.
- A method that uses pharmacopuncture - anti-inflammatory drugs (preferably homeopathic), to relax spasmodic muscles and prevent worsening of radicular compression.
- Chondroprotectors - to prevent the development of cartilage tissue damage.
- Drugs that help strengthen the disc-ligament apparatus of the vertebral discs.
- Acupuncture is used to quickly relieve pain, relieve muscle cramps and restore the function of spinal nerves. This method is very effective and its use during exacerbation prevents the progression of the disease for many years.
- Hirudotherapy - treatment of leeches stimulates the formation of scars on damaged fibrous rings in the discs, eliminates edema of 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 cramping muscles, restore them and strengthen them.
In the final period of treatment, with the elimination of muscle spasm and inflammatory processes, they are connected - manual therapy, osteopathy, exercise therapy.
Timely treatment of any disease will prevent exacerbations and various complications caused by them.