Thoracic spine osteochondrosis is a rare pathology and the most "insidious" form of osteochondrosis. Due to the anatomical features, this part of the spine is relatively rarely subject to degeneration. The twelve vertebrae of the department are very tightly connected to each other and are perfectly protected by a kind of muscle corset, which significantly limits the range of motion between them. The ribs give extra stiffness to the vertebrae.
The most likely reason for the formation of osteochondrosis of the chest is scoliosis, which also forms on the school desk. The risk factor for intervertebral disc damage may be:
- hereditary factor;
- inadequate nutrition and overweight;
- work activity accompanied by restriction of movements;
- excessive physical activity;
- age factor and hypothermia;
- instability of vertebral disc segments;
- smoking and nervous strain;
- bruising, 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 customary to divide it into types:
- Lumbago - dorsago. Manifestation of acute, sudden pain in the area of the affected vertebral discs. The symptoms of thoracic spine osteochondrosis are the result of an extended sitting position, when you have to sit at a table, leaning over, for a long time. Acute pain (lumbago) occurs when you try to stand up or stand up.
- Dorsalgia. Increased pain when trying to breathe deeply and moving the trunk. The muscles in the spine are tense and movement may be restricted to any region of the spine.
Visceral (internal) manifestations.
With osteochondrosis of the chest, the symptoms are rich in internal (visceral) manifestations.
Damage to the upper nerve roots of the chest causes pain in the esophagus and pain in the pharynx.
Pressure on the affected area of the spine causes increased pain. It can be paroxysmal.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, manifested by stomach pain, indicate damage to the nerve endings of the middle thoracic region, which provoke increased pain when lying on your back for a long time.
Compression of the 8th and 9th roots of the spine 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;
- urth;
- pain in the left hypochondrium;
- bounce;
- diarrhea or constipation.
Duodenal (secretory and motor) dysfunctions lead to:
- nausea and belching;
- in the right hypochondrium there is pain and a feeling of heaviness.
Very often, osteochondrosis of the chest region is manifested by symptoms characteristic of other diseases, for example, angina pectoris. At the same time, pain in the heart is observed: cutting, crushing, heartburn or constriction of the throat.
With laryngospasm - the result of pathology at the level of the cervical vertebrae, the symptoms develop manifesting:
- shortness of breath and cough;
- whistling;
- gulçim.
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms and manifestations of which are similar to those of pulmonary pathology, it is necessary to accurately determine their involvement in spinal disease.
Treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis
When designing a treatment plan that defines how to treat osteochondrosis of the chest region, diagnostic data based on an X-ray examination help. Such an examination gives a clear idea of how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, because X-ray readings that show the spread of vertebral bodies and the presence of changes in the intervertebral distance (decrease in height) are a characteristic symptom of this disease.
Based on the diagnostic examination data, the main symptomatology is determined, the clinical diagnosis is clarified, which makes it possible to determine the correct tactics.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine depends directly on the syndromes, stage of development and the presence of background diseases.
To relieve pain, to restore the damaged functions of the nerves of the spinal roots, to prevent the progression of degenerative changes in the structure of the spine, a conservative method is used, combined with complex treatment, step by step.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest includes a number of physiotherapeutic procedures:
- inductometry and electrophoresis;
- laser therapy and vacuum therapy;
- sinusoidal and diadynamic modeled currents;
- magneto and pharmacopuncture;
- acupuncture.
Drug therapy:
- vasodilator diuretics and muscle relaxants (muscle relaxants and venotonics);
- paravertebral novocaine blockade.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for thoracic osteochondrosis is the main stage of the recovery process. Strengthens muscles and spinal mobility. Exercise for thoracic osteochondrosis helps improve ventilation in those patients in whom deep breathing causes pain.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the chest region is effective:
- when the spine is pushed;
- when you set the right breath.
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, based on the pronounced symptoms and the level of destruction.
Cervico-thoracic osteochondrosis
Cervicothoracic osteochondrosis is a disease caused by processes (degenerative-dystrophic) that affect the discs of the cervical spine.
The vertebrae placed close to each other are not adequately protected by a relatively poorly developed muscular framework. Even the slightest stress on the neck causes myelopathy.
The main symptoms
Symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis are manifested:
- disorder of the muscles of the neck, skin, hands and face;
- attacks of headache and dizziness;
- gait instability;
- increased fatigue, vision and hearing deteriorate.
The pain radiates to the arm, extending from the shoulder to the fingertips, causing numbness of the skin, and even a slight movement of the neck, can cause a sensation of electric current along the entire arm.
Myelopathy can cause:
- lung and heart disorders;
- dual vision;
- numbness of the tongue.
Treatment of disease exacerbation
The use of complex therapy in the treatment of exacerbation of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis makes it possible to obtain a consistent positive result. It includes:
- The method of orthopedic correction is the fixation of the neck with the Chance collar, which supports the head, significantly relieving stress on the cervical vertebrae and contributing to their extension.
- Method of using pharmacopuncture - anti-inflammatory drugs (preferably homeopathic), to relax spasmodic muscles and prevent the deterioration of radicular compression.
- Chondroprotectors - to prevent the development of cartilage tissue damage.
- Medications that help strengthen the disc-ligament apparatus of the vertebral discs.
- Acupuncture is used to quickly relieve pain, relieve muscle spasm, and restore the function of spinal nerves. This method is very effective and its use during an irritation prevents the progression of the disease for many years.
- Hirudotherapy - treatment with caterpillars promotes scarring of damaged fibrous rings in the discs, eliminates edema of the nerve roots and improves blood circulation to 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, undergoing the elimination of muscle spasm and inflammatory processes, they are associated - manual therapy, osteopathy, exercise therapy.
Timely treatment of any disease will prevent the various exacerbations and complications caused by them.