Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a rare condition and the most "insidious form" of osteochondrosis. Due to anatomical features, this part of the spine is rarely subject to degeneration. The twelve vertebrae of the department are firmly connected to each other and perfectly protected by a kind of muscle corset, which significantly limits the range of motion between them. The ribs give the vertebrae additional rigidity.
The most likely reason for the formation of osteochondrosis of the chest is scoliosis, which even forms on the school desk. The risk factor for damage to the intervertebral disc can be:
- hereditary factor;
- inadequate nutrition and overweight;
- work activity associated with limited movement;
- exorbitant physical activity;
- age and hypothermia factor;
- instability of vertebral disc segments;
- smoking and nervous tension;
- hematomas, fractures and spinal injuries are the most favorable factor for the formation of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and Signs
A hallmark of breast osteochondrosis is pain. It is common to subdivide it into types:
- Lumbago - Dorsago. The manifestation of acute, sudden pain in the area of the affected vertebral discs. The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are the result of a prolonged sedentary position, when you have to sit at the table, bent over, for a long time. Acute pain (lumbago) occurs when you try to get up or stand up.
- Back pain. Increased pain when trying to breathe deeply and moving the trunk. The back muscles are tense and movement may be limited in any region of the spine.
Visceral (internal) manifestations
In osteochondrosis of the chest, symptoms are rich in internal (visceral) manifestations.
Destruction of the upper thoracic nerve roots causes pain in the esophagus and 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 stomach pain, indicate damage to the nerve endings of the middle thoracic region, which cause increased pain when lying on your back for a long period.
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 thoracic osteochondrosis.
Result:
- nausea and vomiting;
- heartburn;
- pain in the left hypochondrium;
- flatulence;
- diarrhea or constipation.
Duodenal dysfunctions (secretory and motor) lead to:
- nausea and belching;
- in the right hypochondrium there is pain and a feeling of heaviness.
Oftentimes, 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 observed: 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:
- shortness of breath and coughing;
- wheezing;
- shortness of breathe.
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, whose symptoms and manifestations are similar to those of pulmonary pathology, it is necessary to precisely establish its involvement in spinal disease.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
By drawing up a treatment plan that determines how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, diagnostic data based on an X-ray exam helps. This exam gives a clear idea of how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, as X-ray readings that indicate proliferation of the vertebral bodies and the presence of changes in the intervertebral distance (decreased height) are a characteristic symptom of this disease.
Based on the data from the diagnostic exam, the main symptomatology is determined, the clinical diagnosis is clarified, which allows for the determination of the correct tactics.
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine depends directly on the syndromes, on the stage of development and on the presence of underlying diseases.
To alleviate pain, restore impaired spinal root nerve function, prevent the progression of degenerative changes in the spinal structure, a conservative method is used, combined with a complex step-by-step treatment.
The treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes a series of physical therapy procedures:
- inductometry and electrophoresis;
- laser therapy and vacuum therapy;
- sinusoidal and diadynamic modeled currents;
- magnet and pharmacopuncture;
- acupuncture.
Drug therapy:
- diuretic vasoregulatory drugs and muscle relaxants (muscle relaxants and venotonics);
- paravertebral novokoin blockage.
Physiotherapy
Physical therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis is the main step in the recovery process. Strengthens muscles and spinal mobility. Exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis help to improve ventilation in patients where deep breathing causes pain.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is effective:
- when the spine is stretched;
- by setting the correct breath.
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 has not yielded 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 (degenerative-dystrophic) processes that affect the discs in the cervical spine.
Vertebrae located close together are not adequately protected by a relatively underdeveloped muscular structure. Even the slightest stress on the neck causes myelopathy.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis are manifested:
- disturbance of sensation in the muscles of the neck, skin, hands, and face;
- headache and dizziness attacks;
- gait instability;
- fatigue increases, vision and hearing deteriorate.
The pain radiates to the arm, extending from the shoulder to the fingertips, causes numbness in the skin, even a slight movement of the neck, can cause a sensation of electrical current throughout the entire arm.
Myelopathy can cause:
- disorders of the lungs and heart;
- double vision;
- numbness of the tongue.
Treatment of disease exacerbation
The use of complex therapy in the treatment of exacerbation of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis allows for a lasting positive result. Includes:
- The orthopedic correction method is the fixation of the neck with the Chance collar, which supports the head, significantly relieving the stress on the cervical vertebrae and contributing to its alignment.
- The method uses pharmacopuncture - anti-inflammatory (preferably homeopathic) to relax spasmodic muscles and prevent further root compression.
- Chondroprotective - to prevent the development of cartilage tissue damage.
- Drugs that help strengthen the ligamentous apparatus of the vertebral discs.
- Acupuncture is used to quickly relieve pain, relieve muscle spasm, and restore spinal nerve function. This method is very effective and its use during an exacerbation prevents disease progression for many years.
- Hirudotherapy - Treatment with leeches promotes healing of damaged fibrous rings in the discs, eliminates edema of the nerve roots and improves blood circulation in the spinal discs.
- 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.
The timely treatment of any disease will prevent exacerbations and various complications caused by them.