Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a rare pathology and the most "insidious" form of osteochondrosis. Due to its anatomical features, this part of the spine is relatively rarely degenerated. The twelve vertebrae of the department are very tightly connected to each other and are perfectly protected by a kind of muscular corset that significantly limits the range of motion between them. The ribs give extra rigidity to the vertebrae.
The most likely cause of thoracic osteochondrosis is scoliosis, which forms on the school desk. Risk factors for intervertebral disc damage may include:
- hereditary factor;
- malnutrition and overweight;
- labor activity related to restriction of movements;
- excessive physical activity;
- age factor and hypothermia;
- instability of segments of vertebral discs;
- smoking and nervous tension;
- Spinal fractures, fractures and injuries are the most favorable factors for the development of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and signs
The symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis is pain. It is customary to divide it into types:
- Lumbaqo - dorsaqo. Manifestation of sharp, sudden pain in the area of the affected vertebral discs. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are the result of sitting for a long time when you have to sit at a table and bend for a long time. Acute pain (lumbago) occurs when you try to stand up or lift yourself.
- Dorsal. Increased pain when trying to take a deep breath and moving the body. The back muscles are tense and movement can be restricted in any area of the spine.
Visceral (internal) manifestations
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are rich in internal (visceral) manifestations.
Defeat of the upper thoracic nerve roots causes pain in the esophagus and pain in the pharynx.
Pressure on the affected area of the spine causes increased pain. May be paroxysmal.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, manifested by pain in the stomach, indicate damage to the nerve endings of the middle thoracic region, which causes increased pain when lying on your back for a long time.
Compression of the 8th and 9th vertebral roots 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 feature of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Result:
- nausea and vomiting;
- heartburn;
- pain in the left hypochondrium;
- flatulence;
- diarrhea or constipation.
Dysfunction of the duodenum (secretory and motor) causes:
- nausea and belching;
- There is pain and heaviness in the right hypochondrium.
Very often, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region manifests itself with symptoms typical of other diseases, such as angina pectoris. At the same time, there is pain in the heart: cutting, pressing, burning the heart or squeezing the throat.
With laryngospasm - the result of pathology at the level of the cervical vertebrae, symptoms develop, manifesting themselves:
- shortness of breath and cough;
- hiss;
- shortness of breath.
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms and manifestations of which are similar to pulmonary pathology, it is necessary to accurately determine the involvement of the spine in the disease.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Diagnostic information based on X-ray examination helps to develop a treatment plan that determines how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Such an examination gives a clear idea of how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, because X-ray readings showing the proliferation of vertebral bodies and the presence of changes in the intervertebral distance (decrease in height) are a characteristic feature of this disease.
Based on the data of the diagnostic examination, the leading symptomatology is determined, the clinical diagnosis is clarified, which allows to determine the correct tactics.
Treatment of thoracic lumbar osteochondrosis depends directly on the syndromes, stage of development and the presence of background diseases.
A conservative method is used in combination with a complex, step-by-step treatment to relieve pain, restore the damaged function of the nerves of the spinal cord, and prevent the development of degenerative changes in the structure of the spine.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis involves a number of physiotherapeutic procedures:
- inductometry and electrophoresis;
- laser therapy and vacuum therapy;
- sinusoidal modeled and diadynamic currents;
- magnetic and pharmacopuncture;
- acupuncture.
Drug therapy:
- vascular diuretics and muscle relaxants (muscle relaxants and venotonics);
- paravertebral novocaine blockade.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for thoracic osteochondrosis is a key stage in the recovery process. Strengthens the muscles and mobility of the spine. Exercise for thoracic osteochondrosis helps to improve ventilation in patients where deep breathing causes pain.
Gymnastics is effective for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region:
- when the spine is stretched;
- when determining proper breathing.
However, we must not forget that gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis is effective only when all the causes of the disease are identified and eliminated.
When the prescribed course of treatment does not give a positive result, various surgical interventions are used based on the obvious 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.
Proximal vertebrae are not adequately protected by a relatively poorly developed muscle frame. Even the slightest stress in the neck causes myelopathy.
The main symptoms
Symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis include:
- sensitivity of the neck, skin, hands and facial muscles;
- attacks of headache and dizziness;
- gait instability;
- increased fatigue, worsening of vision and hearing.
The pain spreads to the arm, extends from the very shoulder to the fingertips, causes numbness of the skin, and even a small movement of the neck can cause a sensation of electric current throughout the arm.
Myelopathy can be caused by:
- disorders of the lungs and heart;
- double vision;
- language matching.
Treatment of exacerbation of the disease
The use of complex therapy in the treatment of exacerbations of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis allows to achieve a lasting positive result. These include:
- The orthopedic correction method is neck fixation with a Chance collar, which supports the head, significantly relieves stress on the cervical vertebrae and helps to align them.
- The method of using pharmacopuncture - anti-inflammatory drugs (preferably homeopathic), to relax spasmodic muscles and prevent complications of radical compression.
- Chondroprotectors - to prevent the development of damage to cartilage tissue.
- Drugs that help strengthen the disc-ligamentous apparatus of the vertebral discs.
- Acupuncture is used to quickly relieve pain, relieve muscle spasms and restore the function of the spinal nerves. This method is very effective, and its use during exacerbations prevents the development of the disease for many years.
- Hirudotherapy - treatment of leprosy promotes scarring of damaged fibrous rings on the discs, eliminates edema of nerve roots, improves blood circulation in the spinal discs.
- Drug therapy - biogenic stimulants, drugs that improve peripheral circulation, vitamins.
- Massage - to relax, restore and strengthen spasmodic muscles.
In the last period of treatment, provided that they eliminate muscle spasms and inflammatory processes, they combine - manual therapy, osteopathy, exercise therapy.
Timely treatment of any disease will prevent exacerbations and various complications they cause.