Unlike cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis, thoracic osteochondrosis is very rare.
It's about the structure of the thoracic region: it has more discs than the cervical and lumbar combined, the discs are smaller and thinner.The mobility of this part is generally lower, and part of the load falls on the ribs and sternum.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptoms can be confused with, for example, a heart attack.The reason for this is the specificity of the disease.
At this time, there are no painful pains during movement and tension, as in the case of cervical or lumbar osteochondrosis, and complications related to angina pectoris or myocardial infarction or suspicion of respiratory dysfunction come to the fore.
Reasons
More physical inactivity contributes to the development of osteochondrosis - the lack of exercise of the muscle corset, the weakening of its functions and the lack of muscle loads, which leads to an increased load on the ligaments and intervertebral discs.
The following conditions can lead to the formation of osteochondrosis:
- Incorrect posture and lateral curvature of the spine;
- Bad habits;
- nervous and physical overstrain, stress;
- Excessive loading of the back and spine when wearing high-heeled shoes, during pregnancy and on flat feet;
- Back injuries;
- Physical inactivity;
- heredity;
- Physical 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 features 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, for example, compared to the waist area.For this reason, the occurrence of thoracic disease rarely occurs with any symptoms at an early stage of development.
The low mobility of the thoracic spine is associated with its anatomical features - the combination of the vertebrae with the ribs and sternum allows creating a stable structure that is sufficiently mobile and at the same time less susceptible to injuries and external influences.
A relatively small load on this department contributes to the rare occurrence of any problems there (for example, displacement of a vertebra, intervertebral hernia, disc protrusion), which is confirmed by statistics.However, their appearance cannot be called anything unusual;for example, bad posture and scoliosis can be some kind of precipitating factors that lead to 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 due to compression of veins and arteries is also possible.
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.Thoracic osteochondrosis is often mistaken for cardiovascular disease, cholecystitis, gastric ulcer and even myocardial infarction and pneumonia.For this reason, this disease is called "chameleon".
Symptoms associated with pain:
- The pain is localized under the shoulder blades and can spread to the intercostal nerves.This causes neuralgia.The pain increases when a person breathes or actively moves.
- Chest pain is most often localized on the left side and resembles coronary heart disease.In this case, it is important to find the cause of the pain in time.Cardiovascular system should be fully checked.
Neurological symptoms:
- Numbness or "creeping" in the legs, upper chest, and abdomen (depending on the affected disc);
- Reflex tension in the chest or upper back muscles;
- Especially in advanced cases, it is possible to disrupt the work of the pelvic organs in men and reduce the potential.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, in addition to pain in the spine and back, can also include pain in the abdomen, heart, liver and gall bladder near the site of osteochondrosis.
When such pains occur, it is sometimes possible to make a wrong diagnosis.Pain under the ribs on the right side of the chest can be confused with inflammation of the gallbladder, and on the left side of the chest with a heart attack.It is wrong to perceive pain in the corresponding areas of the abdominal cavity as a manifestation of stomach ulcer or gastritis.
Dorsago
Dorsago is one of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, which is manifested by acute pain.Typically, this symptom occurs in people who sit for a long time in one position or in an uncomfortable position while performing monotonous work.
Pain may occur in the spine in the thoracic region, muscles become tense, and breathing is often difficult.Intercostal neuralgia may occur.
Dorsalgia
The period of exacerbation will last 2-3 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 taking a deep breath and bending forward, backward or sideways.
The nature of pain during dorsalgia can be very different.The pain may be aching, burning, aching, cutting, and may spread to the leg, arm, hip, or shoulder blade.The location of the pain is no less diverse.They can appear below, above, in the middle, on the right, on 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 information based on X-ray examination helps.Such an examination gives a clear idea of how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, because X-ray readings showing the spread of vertebral bodies and the presence of changes in the intervertebral distance (reduction in height) are a characteristic sign of this disease.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine depends on the stage of the disease and mainly comes down to conservative therapy.In the case of spina bifida, surgery is extremely rare.
Drug treatment
Drug therapy is based on the following principles:
- Using a special drug that allows you to keep fluid inside the intervertebral disc.
- Vitamins.Often, preparations with complete vitamin complexes or B group elements are prescribed.
- Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants that reduce spasm of the muscles surrounding the spine.
- Pain relievers.NSAIDs and analgesics based on drug combinations.
- Chondroprotectors.It is necessary to catalyze the process of regeneration of damaged cartilage.
After elimination of acute cases, 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.Back muscles include different options for soft and rough impacts.
The duration of treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine depends on the severity of the disease and the degree of age-related changes, as well as the diligence of the patient in following the instructions of the attending physician.
Gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis
Patients with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are prescribed therapeutic exercises, the main purpose 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 strong muscle spasms.Moderate physical activity will help relieve stiffness in the spine that occurs in a weak muscle corset.
Daily exercises performed under the supervision of an experienced instructor will have a beneficial effect on the whole body, especially the bronchopulmonary system.Patients' lung ventilation improves, they can take deep breaths and exhale without pain.
Massage
Massage not only reduces the severity of the symptoms of the disease, but also helps the person to recover, resulting in positive effects from other elements of complex therapy.
It is determined 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 eliminate muscle hypertonicity and spasms, as well as restore back mobility.Thanks to manual therapy, it is possible to empty blood vessels, improve nutrition and oxygen supply to the tissues of the intervertebral discs.
Correct position while resting and sleeping
In order to prevent osteochondrosis and during treatment, it is necessary to arrange the correct position during rest and sleep.It is good if you sleep on a flat and hard bed, but this should be done without fanaticism;if the bed does not meet the requirements, sleeping on the floor is not recommended as you may catch cold.This measure is very necessary so that the spine can quickly restore its normal shape.
But at first, a very intense pain may appear, which lasts until the vertebra takes a physiological position.You can place a roller under the painful area to relieve pain and discomfort.
Exercises
The most effective treatment for muscle spasms is physical therapy.Properly selected exercises relax, but 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 number of exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis are performed as follows:
- Starting position: while breathing, stand straight, legs together, arms down.Raise your arms up - inhale, then lean back - take a deep breath.Lower your arms, lean forward, roll your back and lower your shoulders and head - inhale.Do 8-10 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 - exhale.
- Starting position - stand on all fours and bend your back as much as possible, keep your head straight for 3 seconds.Do 5-7 repetitions.
- Starting position - lie comfortably on your stomach and put your hands on the floor.At the same time, try to lean back and lift your body off the ground.Do 5-8 repetitions.
- Starting position: lying on your stomach, stretch your arms along the body.Bending in the chest, try to raise your head and legs as high as possible.Do 5-8 repetitions.
If you follow all the doctor's instructions, you can slowly but surely 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);
- lifting weights;
- bending habit;
- hypothermia and frequent colds.
Due to their duties, office workers who stay at work for a long time should change their body position more often, stand up, and do physical exercises.Even a simple stretch is beneficial.