Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine- This is a degenerative-dystrophic process in the thoracic spine, as a result of which pathological changes occur in the bone and cartilaginous tissue of the spine, the intervertebral discs, joints and ligaments of the spine are destroyed.
Manifestations of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine are usually not as acute as in cervical or lumbar osteochondrosis. The fact is that the thoracic spine is less mobile, and the joints of the vertebrae, ribs and sternum form a fairly strong structure, which is less susceptible to injury as a result of external influences. Therefore, the clinical manifestations of this disease are much less likely to bring the patient to the doctor, and as a result, it seems that this type of osteochondrosis is less common. But is not. Almost everyone who is forced by the nature of their work to sit continuously at a desk or drive a car for years experiences spinal changes. And in the presence of risk factors (poor posture, scoliosis, injuries, back muscle weakness), thoracic osteochondrosis is practically inevitable.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
The causes of pain syndromes in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, as well as in other types of osteochondrosis, are pathological changes in the intervertebral discs (thinning of the disc due to degeneration of the nucleus pulposus, protrusion; intervertebral hernia) and joints of the spine (destruction of cartilaginous surfaces, formation of osteophytes).
As a result of these changes, compression of the root structures of the spinal nerves (radiculopathy), compression of the spinal cord (thoracic compression myelopathy), damage to the spinal cord due to impaired blood supply due to impingement, narrowing of the vascular arteries and veins (compressive vascular myeloischemia).
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are as follows:
- chest pain, aggravated by prolonged stay in one position and during physical exertion;
- dull pain in the interscapular space;
- pain when raising the right or left arm;
- pain with inclined movements of the body, with rotational movements of the upper body;
- increased pain with deep inhalation and exhalation;
- pain in the intercostal spaces that appear when walking;
- a feeling of squeezing in the chest or back (as with a hoop);
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis can also be:
- tingling sensation throughout the body, numbness of certain areas of the skin;
- itching, burning and coldness of the lower extremities;
- increased brittleness of the nails and peeling of the skin (a sign of vascular disorders);
- Causeless disorders of the digestive tract: constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often very similar to symptoms of other diseases, in particular, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, gastric diseases, pneumonia. Therefore, it is very important to carry out differential diagnoses using additional laboratory and instrumental examination methods.
Dorsago and dorsalgia as manifestations of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region depend on the degree of changes and their localization in the spine. Thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by two vertebral syndromes: dorsago and dorsalgia.
Backis a sudden sharp pain in the thoracic spine. It is usually observed in people whose work is associated with sitting for a long time in one position, being in an awkward position, performing monotonous and monotonous work. An attack of dorsago ("thoracic lumbago") is an acute attack of "dagger" pain between the shoulder blades. During an attack, the muscles are so tense that it can even be difficult to breathe. In this case, the pain in the thoracic spine can spread like an intercostal neuralgia (along the ribs) to the sternum, sometimes to the shoulder blade. These symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack. But unlike back myocardial infarction, the patient's electrocardiogram is within the age norm, and taking nitroglycerin or other similar drugs does not improve the condition. Also, the pain is intensified by rotational movements of the upper body, and palpation (palpation) of the thoracic spine in patients with osteochondrosis can cause pain at the exit site of the spinal nerve (nerve root).
back painIt begins gradually, unnoticeably, and lasts up to two to three weeks. Mild pain in the affected spine and various complaints are characteristic. The pain is aggravated by deep breathing and leaning forward or to the side. Muscle tension and range of motion limitation in the cervicothoracic (upper back pain) or lumbar-thoracic (lower back pain) regions are determined. Muscle spasm is also very pronounced, so patients also have a feeling of shortness of breath. Unpleasant sensations are aggravated by tilting the torso to the sides and forward, which limits any movement in the adjacent sections of the spine. The pain is usually worse at night, after waking up the pain goes away on its own with a short walk. The pain is aggravated by deep breathing, prolonged forced position of the body.
Assign: upper back pain, accompanied by pain in the cervicothoracic region and lower back pain, in which there is pain in the thoracolumbar region. Back pain can last up to 3 weeks.
This type of back pain must be differentiated from pneumonia, which also has similar symptoms, but are complemented by pulmonary symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever.
Other features of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, a gastrological syndrome is often observed, which is often defined as a disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The main complaint of patients who often go to a gastroenterologist is pain in the epigastric region, which, as a rule, increases in the evening after physical labor and decreases (or disappears completely) after a good night's rest. . Its appearance and intensification are practically unrelated to seasonality (as is known, in true patients with gastritis, peptic ulcer, autumn and spring rarely pass without severe exacerbations), the quality of food and diet. These features of the manifestation of the syndrome help to establish the correct diagnosis.
With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs at the level of the 7-11 vertebrae suffer, the pain, whether strong, paroxysmal or dull, extends to the right hypochondrium. During an attack, patients often come to the hospital with a variety of diagnoses: acute calculous cholecystitis, renal prolapse, pancreatitis, colitis, urolithiasis. And only as a result of a detailed medical examination, it is possible to make the correct diagnosis:osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Vascular disorders caused by osteochondrosis can be suspected if, for no apparent reason, the skin peels off, the nails become very brittle, and the legs often feel cold.
Often osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is complicated by intercostal neuralgia. The pain along the ribs extends to the sternum. Any movement increases discomfort, such as coughing, sneezing, and even inhaling. Occasionally, pain can also be felt in the anterior abdominal wall. An attack of intercostal neuralgia caused by thoracic osteochondrosis can last from several hours to several weeks. It may go away without treatment, but then there are long-term relapses. Factors provoking such an attack of intercostal neuralgia can be weight lifting, prolonged awkward posture, hypothermia, colds and stress.
What is thoracic osteochondrosis? What are its symptoms and how to treat it?
About causes and symptomsosteochondrosis of the thoracic regionthe spine and new treatment methods are explained by a professional doctor and teacher.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Medical treatment of osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the usual symptomatic treatment for pain relief is carried out: NSAIDs, analgesics, as well as anesthetic ointments and gels. If necessary, muscle relaxants, antidepressants are prescribed.
At any stage of osteochondrosis, treatment involves the appointment of chondroprotectors (drugs that restore cartilage tissue), vitamins and minerals (to increase the strength of ligaments and restore the structure of bone tissue).
Drug therapy should be combined with other treatments:
- gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis (performed daily several times a day);
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- acupressure (tactile effect on acupuncture points, which has a stimulating and calming effect on the body)
- acupuncture (or acupuncture) - the introduction of special needles for therapeutic purposes into biologically active points.
Acupressure and acupuncture lead to a decrease in pain, normalize blood pressure and stimulate the immune system.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is aimed at strengthening the muscles of the back, the muscles of the shoulder girdle and the respiratory muscles, restoring the physiological curves of the spine and forming the correct posture.
Massage helps relieve muscle hypertonicity, pain, improves blood supply to paravertebral tissues and cartilage nutrition. Massage in combination with exercise therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis gives the maximum positive effect.
Very good results in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine showed a therapeutic patch.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine with a patch.
Medications prescribed in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, such as NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, etc. , with prolonged use, can harm the body. And in the presence of certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, many of these drugs are generally contraindicated.
To minimize the side effects of drugs and increase the effectiveness of the treatment of osteochondrosis, a new generation drug helps - a therapeutic analgesic anti-inflammatory patch.
The medical patch has shown high efficacy in the treatment of various diseases of the spine, including the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. It allows you to relieve pain and inflammation, improve blood circulation in the affected area, reduce the dose of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
To relieve acute symptoms in the treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis, a medical patch is used for 3-5 days. Duration of course treatment: from 9 days. It is usually recommended to use the medical patch in the morning for 12 hours, but it is possible to apply it at night.
High efficacy, unique composition, long-term therapeutic effect (up to 12 hours! ), ease of use and affordable price make the patch the choice in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.