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 bones and cartilage tissue of the spine, intervertebral discs, joints and ligaments of the spine are destroyed.
Manifestations of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine are usually not as acute as 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 relatively strong structure, which is less prone to injury due to external influences. Therefore, the clinical manifestations of this disease are less likely to bring the patient to the doctor, and as a result, it seems that this type of osteochondrosis is less common. But no. Almost everyone who is forced by the nature of their work to sit continuously at a desk or drive a car for years, there are changes in the spine. And in the presence of risk factors (poor posture, scoliosis, injuries, weak back muscles), thoracic osteochondrosis is inevitable.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The cause of pain syndrome in osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, as well as in other types of osteochondrosis, are pathological changes in the intervertebral disc (thinning of the disc due to degeneration of the nucleus pulposus, protrusion; intervertebral hernia) and spinal joints (destruction of the cartilage surface, osteophyte formation).
As a result of these changes, compression of the radicular structure of the spinal cord (radiculopathy), compression of the spinal cord (thoracic compression myelopathy), damage to the spinal cord due to impaired blood supply due to clamping, narrowing of the supply artery. and veins (myeloischemia-vascular compression) can occur.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are as follows:
- pain in the chest, aggravated by staying for a long time in one position and during physical exercise;
- dull pain in the interscapular space;
- pain when raising the right or left arm;
- pain with inclined body movements, with rotational movements of the upper body;
- increased pain with deep inhalation and exhalation;
- pain in the intercostal space that appears when walking;
- a feeling of squeezing the chest or back (as if with a loop);
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis can also be:
- crawling feeling all over the body, numbness of certain areas of the skin;
- itching, burning and cold on the bottom of the feet;
- increased nail fragility and skin peeling (a sign of vascular disorders);
- Unexplained gastrointestinal disturbances: constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often very similar to the symptoms of other diseases - in particular, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, gastric disease, pneumonia. Therefore, it is very important to carry out differential diagnostics using additional instrumental and laboratory 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.
Dorsagois a sudden sharp pain in the thoracic spine. It is usually observed in people whose work is associated with prolonged sitting in one position, being in an uncomfortable position, doing boring monotonous work. A dorsago attack ("chest lumbago") is an acute attack of "dagger" pain between the shoulder blades. During an attack, the muscles are so tense that it is difficult to breathe. In this case, pain in the thoracic spine can spread like intercostal neuralgia (along the ribs) towards the sternum, sometimes to the shoulder blades. These symptoms are similar to myocardial infarction. But unlike myocardial infarction in dorsago, the patient's electrocardiogram was within the age norm, and taking nitroglycerin or other similar drugs did not lead to an improvement in the condition. In addition, the pain increases with 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 nerves (nerve roots).
Dorsalgiastarts gradually, is invisible and lasts up to two to three weeks. Unexplained pain in the affected spine and various discomforts are characteristic. The pain worsens with deep breathing and leaning forward or to the side. Muscle tension and limitation of range of motion in the cervicothoracic (upper dorsalgia) or lumbar-thoracic area (lower dorsalgia) are determined. Muscle spasms are also very noticeable, so the patient also has a feeling of lack of air. The unpleasant sensation is aggravated by tilting the body to the side and forward, which limits any movement in the adjacent part of the spine. The pain usually worsens at night, after waking up, the pain disappears by itself with a short walk. Pain is aggravated by deep breathing, prolonged forced position of the body.
Assign: upper dorsalgia, accompanied by pain in the cervicothoracic region and lower dorsalgia, where there is pain in the thoracolumbar region. Dorsalgia can last up to 3 weeks.
Dorsalgia of this type must be distinguished from pneumonia, which also has similar symptoms, but it is accompanied by lung symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever.
Other symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, gastrological syndrome is often observed, which is often defined as a disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The main complaint of patients who often turn to gastroenterologists is pain in the epigastric region, which, as a rule, increases in the afternoon after physical work and subsides (or disappears completely) after a good night's rest. Its appearance and intensification are practically not related to seasonality (as it is known, in true patients with gastritis, peptic ulcer, autumn and spring rarely occur without serious aggravation), quality of food, and diet. The characteristics of the manifestations of this syndrome help to establish the correct diagnosis.
With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc at the level of the 7-11th vertebrae suffers, the pain - either strong, paroxysmal, or dull, the pain - spreads to the right hypochondrium. During an attack, patients often come to the hospital with various diagnoses: acute calculous cholecystitis, kidney prolapse, pancreatitis, colitis, urolithiasis. And only as a result of a detailed medical examination, it is possible to make a correct diagnosis -
Vascular disorders caused by osteochondrosis can be suspected if, for no apparent reason, the skin peels, the nails become very brittle, and the feet often feel cold.
Often osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is complicated by intercostal neuralgia. Pain along the ribs extending to the sternum. Any movement increases the discomfort, including coughing, sneezing, even breathing. Sometimes, 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 can go away without treatment, but then there are long-term relapses. Factors that provoke such attacks of intercostal neuralgia can be heavy lifting, prolonged uncomfortable posture, hypothermia, colds and stress.
What is thoracic osteochondrosis? What are the symptoms and how to treat them?
About causes and symptomsosteochondrosis of the thoracic regionspine and new treatment methods told by professional doctors and professors.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Medical treatment of osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the usual symptomatic treatment is carried out to relieve pain: 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 (medicines 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 (the effect of touch on acupuncture points, which has an attractive and soothing 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, stimulate the immune system.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region aims to strengthen the back muscles, shoulder girdle muscles and respiratory muscles, restore the physiological curve of the spine, and form the correct posture.
Massage helps to relieve muscle hypertonicity, pain, increase blood supply to the paravertebral tissue and cartilage nutrition. Massage in combination with exercise therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis gives the maximum positive effect.
Excellent results in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine indicate a therapeutic patch.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine with patches
Drugs 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 osteochondrosis treatment, new generation drugs - therapeutic analgesic anti-inflammatory patches - help.
Medical patches have shown high efficiency 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, and reduce the dose of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
To relieve acute symptoms in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine, medical patches are used from 3 to 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 can be used at night.
High efficiency, unique composition, long-term therapeutic effect (up to 12 hours! ), ease of use and reasonable price make the patch the choice in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.