Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, unlike cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis, is very rare.
It's about the structure of the thoracic region: it has more discs than the cervical and lumbar spine combined, the discs are smaller and thinner.The mobility of this section is generally less and part of the load is assumed by the ribs and sternum.
In osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the symptoms can be confused, for example, with those of a heart attack.The reason for this is the specificity of the disease.
In this case, there are no painful pains during movement and exertion, as occurs with cervical or lumbar osteochondrosis, and complications associated with suspected angina pectoris or myocardial infarction or impaired respiratory function come to the fore.
Reasons
To a greater extent, the development of osteochondrosis is facilitated by physical inactivity, a deficiency of muscle loading, which forms a lack of training of the muscle corset, weakening of its functions and increased load on the ligaments and intervertebral discs.
The following conditions can provoke the appearance of osteochondrosis:
- Incorrect posture and lateral curvature of the spine;
- Bad habits;
- Nervous and physical overstrain, stress;
- Overload of the back and spine when wearing high-heeled shoes, during pregnancy and flat feet;
- Back injuries;
- physical inactivity;
- Inheritance;
- I work physically hard.
The intervertebral discs of the thoracic vertebrae are equally affected by sedentary lifestyle and physical activity, which increases the likelihood of injury.
What are the specific characteristics 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 in relation to, for example, the lumbar region.For this reason, the onset of chest disease rarely occurs with symptoms at an early stage of development.
The low mobility of the thoracic spine is associated with its anatomical characteristics: the connection of the vertebrae with the ribs and sternum makes it possible to create a sufficiently mobile and at the same time durable structure, which is less susceptible to injuries and external influences.
The relatively small load on this section contributes to the fact that the occurrence of any problems in it (for example, displacement of the vertebrae, intervertebral herniation, protrusion of the disc) is quite rare, this is confirmed by statistics.However, its appearance cannot be considered something extraordinary;For example, poor posture and scoliosis can be some of the factors that cause the appearance of spinal diseases.
At the same time, the symptoms of such diseases appear quite late and are quite characteristic of osteochondrosis: they usually represent compression of the nerve roots;In rare cases, the spinal cord itself may become compressed or damaged due to poor blood supply;Narrowing is also possible 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 the internal organs.It is often thoracic osteochondrosis that is confused with coronary heart disease, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer and even myocardial infarction and pneumonia.For this reason, this disease is called “chameleon.”
Symptoms associated with pain:
- The pain is located under the shoulder blades and may radiate to the intercostal nerves.This leads to neuralgia.The pain increases when a person actively breathes or moves.
- Chest pain is most often located on the left side and may resemble coronary heart disease.In this situation, it is important to find out in time the reason why the pain appeared.It is necessary to fully examine the cardiovascular system.
Neurological symptoms:
- Numbness or “crawling” 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 functioning 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 also include pain in the upper abdomen, heart, liver and gallbladder.
When such pain occurs, misdiagnosis is sometimes possible.Pain on the right side of the chest under 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 a mistake to confuse pain in the corresponding areas of the abdominal cavity with 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 uncomfortable position or position, while doing monotonous work.
Pain in the spine may appear in the thoracic region, the muscles become tense, and often it even becomes difficult to breathe.Intercostal neuralgia may occur.
Back pain
The exacerbation period will last 2 to 3 weeks.At the same time, the pain gradually increases.Mild pain appears in the affected part of the spine.As a rule, the pain manifests itself especially actively when breathing deeply and when bending forward, backward or to the sides.
The nature of pain during back pain can be very different.The pain may be pulling, burning, aching, cutting, and may radiate to the leg, arm, buttocks, or shoulder blade.The location of pain is no less varied.They can appear below, above, in the middle, to the right, to the left, between the shoulder blades.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
When drawing up a treatment plan that determines how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, diagnostic data based on an X-ray examination helps.This examination gives a clear idea of how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, because X-ray readings indicating the proliferation of the vertebral bodies and the presence of changes in the intervertebral distance (decrease in height) are a characteristic symptom 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 cases of spina bifida.
Pharmacological treatment
Drug therapy is based on the following principles:
- Using a special medicine that allows you to retain fluid inside the intervertebral disc.
- Vitamins.Most often, complete vitamin complexes or preparations with elements of group B are prescribed.
- Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants that reduce spasms of the muscles surrounding the spine.
- Painkillers.NSAIDs and analgesics based on drug combinations.
- Chondroprotectors.Necessary to catalyze the process of restoring damaged cartilage.
After eliminating acute phenomena, massage of the muscles of the back and lower extremities is used.Manual therapy is indicated for grades 1-3 of osteochondrosis in the case of the development of functional blockages.Includes several 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 the patient's diligence in following the prescriptions of the treating doctor.
Gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis.
For osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, patients are prescribed therapeutic exercises, the main goal of which is to increase the mobility of the costovertebral and intervertebral joints.Exercise therapy (provided the exercises are performed regularly and correctly) can eliminate even very strong muscle spasms.Moderate physical activity will help relieve stiffness in the spine that occurs with a weak muscle corset.
Daily exercises, performed under the supervision of an experienced instructor, will have a beneficial effect on the entire body and, in particular, on the bronchopulmonary system.Patients' lung ventilation improves and they can breathe deeply and exhale without pain.
massage
Massage not only reduces the severity of the symptoms of the disease, but also helps the person recover, resulting in positive effects of other elements of complex therapy.
It is prescribed individually depending on 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 spasms, as well as to restore back mobility.Thanks to manual therapy, it is possible to free blood vessels, improve nutrition and oxygen supply to the tissues of the intervertebral discs.
Correct position when resting and sleeping.
To prevent osteochondrosis and during the treatment period, it is necessary to organize the correct position during rest and sleep.It is best to sleep on a flat, hard bed, but this should be done without fanaticism;If the bed does not meet the requirements, it is not recommended to sleep on the floor, as you may catch a cold.This measure is very necessary so that the spine can quickly recover its normal shape.
However, at first there may be quite intense pain, which persists until the vertebrae adopt a physiological position.To relieve pain and discomfort, you can place a roller under the painful area.
Exercises
The most effective treatment for muscle spasms is physical therapy.Correctly selected exercises relax and at the same time strengthen and train the back muscles.As a result, the thoracic spine is stabilized and pinched spinal nerves are released.
A set of exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis is performed as follows:
- Starting position: As you inhale, stand straight, legs together, arms down.Stretch your arms up, exhale and then lean back, breathe deeply.Lower your arms, lean forward, circle your back and lower your shoulders and head;exhale.Perform 8 to 10 repetitions.
- Starting position: sitting on a chair.Slowly put your hands behind your head (inhale, lean back 5 times, leaning on the back of the chair with your shoulder blades) and exhale.
- Starting position: Get on all fours and bend your back as much as possible, hold the position for 3 seconds and keep your head straight for three seconds.Perform 5 to 7 repetitions.
- Starting position: Lie comfortably on your stomach and rest your hands on the floor.At the same time, lean back hard and try to lift your body off the ground.Perform 5 to 8 repetitions.
- Starting position: lying face down with arms extended along the body.Lean on your chest, trying to raise your head and legs as much as possible.Perform 5 to 8 repetitions.
If you follow all the doctor's instructions, you will slowly but surely be able to achieve a significant improvement in your condition.
Prevention
The health of the thoracic area and other parts of the spine can be harmed by:
- prolonged static loads (sitting in front of the TV, computer);
- lift weights;
- habit of slouching;
- hypothermia and frequent colds.
Office workers who spend long periods of time at the workplace due to their duties need to change their body position more frequently, get up and do physical exercises.Even a simple stretch brings benefits.