Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, unlike cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis, is very rare.
It's all in the structure of the thoracic region: there are more discs than the cervical and lumbar spine combined, the discs are smaller and thinner.The mobility of this section is generally lower, and part of the load is taken over by the ribs and sternum.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the symptoms can be confused, for example, with a heart attack.The reason for this is the specificity of the disease.
In this case, there is no painful pain during movement and exertion, as in 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 promoted by physical inactivity - lack of muscle loads, which creates a lack of training of the muscle corset, weakening of its functions and increased load on ligaments and intervertebral discs.
The following conditions can cause osteochondrosis:
- Improper posture and lateral curvature of the spine;
- Bad habits;
- Nervous and physical overexertion, stress;
- Overloading of the back and spine when wearing high-heeled shoes, during pregnancy and flat feet;
- Back injuries;
- physical inactivity;
- Heredity;
- Physically hard work.
The intervertebral discs of the thoracic vertebrae are equally negatively affected by a 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, compared to, for example, the lumbar part.For this reason, the occurrence of thoracic disease rarely occurs with any symptoms in the early stages of development.
The low mobility of the thoracic spine is related to its anatomical characteristics - the connection of the vertebrae with the ribs and sternum enables the creation of 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 department contributes to the fact that the occurrence of any problems in it (for example, displacement of vertebrae, intervertebral hernia, disc protrusion) is quite rare, which is confirmed by statistics.However, their appearance cannot be called something extraordinary;for example, bad posture and scoliosis can be some kind of provoking factors that lead to 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 nerve roots;in rare cases, the spinal cord itself may be compressed or damaged due to impaired 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 internal organs.Often, thoracic osteochondrosis is mistaken for coronary disease, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer, and even myocardial infarction and pneumonia.This is why this disease is called "chameleon".
Symptoms associated with pain:
- The pain is localized under the shoulder blades and may radiate to the intercostal nerves.This leads to neuralgia.The pain increases when a person takes a breath or actively moves.
- Chest pain is most often localized on the left side and may resemble coronary heart disease.In this situation, it is important to find out the reason for the pain in time.It is necessary to fully examine the cardiovascular system.
Neurological symptoms:
- Numbness or "creeping" 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 work 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 area, near the site of osteochondrosis can also include pain in the upper abdomen, heart, liver and gall bladder.
When such pain occurs, a misdiagnosis is sometimes possible.Pain in the right side of the chest under the ribs can be confused with inflammation of the gallbladder, in the left side of the chest it can be confused with a heart attack.It is wrong to mistake pain in the corresponding areas of the abdominal cavity as 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 position or in an uncomfortable position, while doing monotonous work.
Pain may occur in the spine in the thoracic region, muscles become tense, and often it is even difficult to breathe.Intercostal neuralgia may occur.
Dorsalgia
The exacerbation period will last 2-3 weeks.At the same time, the pain gradually increases.Mild pain occurs in the affected part of the spine.As a rule, the pain manifests itself especially actively when breathing deeply and bending forward, backward or to the side.
The nature of pain during dorsalgia can be very different.The pain can be pulling, burning, aching, cutting, and can spread to the leg, arm, buttock, or shoulder blade.The location of the pain is no less diverse.They can appear below, above, in the middle, right, left, between the shoulder blades.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
When creating a treatment plan that determines how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, diagnostic data based on X-ray examination help.Such an examination gives a clear idea of how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, because X-rays showing the proliferation of vertebral bodies and the presence of changes in the intervertebral distance (reduction 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 limited to conservative therapy.Surgery is extremely rare in cases of spina bifida.
Drug treatment
Drug therapy is based on the following principles:
- Using a special medicine that allows you to keep the fluid inside the intervertebral disc.
- Vitamins.Most often, complete vitamin complexes or preparations with B group elements are prescribed.
- Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants that reduce spasm of the muscles surrounding the spine.
- Painkillers.NSAIDs and analgesics based on drug combinations.
- Chondroprotectors.Necessary for the catalysis of the process of restoration of damaged cartilage.
After elimination of acute phenomena, massage of the muscles of the back and lower extremities is used.Manual therapy is indicated for 1-3 degrees of osteochondrosis in case of development of functional blockages.It includes different 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 on the patient's attentiveness in following the doctor's instructions.
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 relieve even very severe muscle spasms.Moderate physical activity will help relieve spinal stiffness that occurs with a weak muscle corset.
Daily exercises, which are performed under the supervision of an experienced instructor, will have a beneficial effect on the whole organism as a whole, and especially on the bronchopulmonary system.Patients' lung ventilation improves, and they become able to take deep breaths and exhale painlessly.
Massage
Massage not only reduces the severity of disease symptoms, but also helps a person to recover, which results in positive effects of other elements of complex therapy.
It is prescribed individually based on the clinical picture of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the presence of chronic diseases and contraindications.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is used to remove hypertonus and muscle spasms, as well as to restore back mobility.Thanks to manual therapy, it is possible to release blood vessels, improve nutrition and oxygen supply to the tissues of the intervertebral discs.
Correct position when resting and sleeping
For the prevention of osteochondrosis and during the treatment period, it is necessary to organize the correct position during rest and sleep.It is best if you sleep on a flat and 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, because you can catch a cold.This measure is very necessary so that the spine quickly regains its normal shape.
However, in the beginning, quite intense pain may appear, which lasts until the vertebrae take 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.Properly selected exercises relax, and at the same time strengthen and train the back muscles.As a result, the thoracic spine is stabilized and compressed spinal nerves are released.
A set of exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis is performed as follows:
- Starting position: while inhaling, stand straight, legs together, hands down.Stretch your arms up - exhale, then bend down - take a deep breath.Lower your hands, lean forward, round your back and lower your shoulders and head - exhale.Perform 8 - 10 repetitions.
- Starting position: sitting on a chair.Slowly put your hands behind your head - inhale, bend back 5 times, rest on the back of the chair with your shoulder blades - exhale.
- Starting position - stand on all fours and bend your back as much as possible, hold for 3 seconds, keeping your head straight for three seconds.Do 5-7 reps.
- Starting position - lie comfortably on your stomach and rest your hands on the floor.At the same time, bend back strongly and try to lift your body off the floor.Do 5-8 reps.
- Starting position: lying on the stomach with arms stretched along the body.Bend at the chest, trying to raise the head and legs as high as possible.Do 5-8 reps.
If you follow all the instructions of the doctor, then slowly but surely you can achieve a significant improvement in your condition.
Prevention
The health of the thoracic and other parts of the spine can be damaged by:
- long static loads (sitting in front of the TV, computer);
- weight lifting;
- habit of stooping;
- hypothermia and frequent colds.
Office workers who, due to their duties, spend a long time at the workplace have to change their body position more often, get up and do physical exercises.Even a simple stretch has benefits.