Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine- It is a degenerative-dystrophic process in the thoracic part of the spine, as a result of which pathological changes occur in the bone and cartilage tissue of the spine, intervertebral discs, joints and ligaments of the spine are destroyed.
The 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 prone to injury as a result of external influences. Therefore, the clinical manifestations of this disease are much less likely to lead the patient to a doctor, and therefore it seems that this type of osteochondrosis is less common. But it is not. Almost everyone who is forced by the nature of their work to constantly sit 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 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 in the joints of the spine (destruction of cartilaginous surfaces, osteophyte formation).
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 compression, narrowing of the supply arteries and veins (compressive-vascular myeloischemia).
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are the following:
- chest pain, aggravated by prolonged standing in one position and during physical exertion.
- dull pain in the intervertebral 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 occur when walking.
- a feeling of tightness in the chest or back (as if with a hoop).
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis may also be:
- a feeling creeps throughout the body, numbness of certain areas of the skin.
- itching, burning and coldness of the lower extremities.
- increased nail fragility and skin peeling (a sign of vascular disorders).
- unexplained disorders of the digestive system: constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often very similar to the symptoms of other diseases - in particular, angina, myocardial infarction, gastric diseases, pneumonia. Therefore, it is very important to carry out differential diagnoses using additional instrumental and laboratory examination methods.
Dorsago and dorsal as manifestations of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The 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 - dorsal and dorsal.
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, with an uncomfortable position, with monotonous monotonous work. A dorsago attack ("lumbar spine") 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, pain in the thoracic spine can spread like intercostal neuralgia (along the ribs) to the sternum, sometimes to the shoulder blade. These symptoms are similar to those of a myocardial infarction. But unlike dorsago myocardial infarction, the electrocardiogram of the patient is within the age limit, and taking nitroglycerin or other similar drugs does not lead to an improvement in the condition. In addition, pain intensifies with rotational movements of the upper body, and palpation (palpation) of the thoracic spine in patients with osteochondrosis can cause pain at the exit point of the spinal nerve (nerve root).
Dorsalgiait begins gradually, imperceptibly and lasts up to two to three weeks. Mild 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 cervical (upper back) or lumbo-thoracic (lower back) region is determined. The muscle spasm is also very intense, so patients also have a feeling of lack of air. Unpleasant sensations are aggravated by tilting the trunk to the side and forward, which limits any movement in the adjacent parts of the spine. The pain usually worsens at night, after waking up, the pain subsides on its own with a short walk. The pain is aggravated by deep breathing, prolonged forced position of the body.
Distribution: upper back, accompanied by pain in the cervical region and lower back, in which there are pains in the thoracolumbar region. Dorsalgia can last up to 3 weeks.
This type of spinal must be differentiated from pneumonia, which also has similar symptoms, but they 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 gastrointestinal syndrome is often observed, which is often defined as a disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The main complaint of patients who often turn to a gastroenterologist 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 intensity are practically not related to seasonality (as is known, in real patients with gastritis, peptic ulcer, rare autumn and spring passage without serious exacerbations), food quality 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 7th-11th vertebrae suffer, the pain - either strong, paroxysmal, or dull, pain - spreads to the right hypochondrium. During an attack, patients often come to the hospital with various diagnoses: acute pathological cholecystitis, kidney prolapse, pancreatitis, colitis, urolithiasis. And only as a result of a detailed medical examination, it is possible to make the correct diagnosis -
Vascular disorders caused by osteochondrosis may 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 sides extends to the sternum. Any movement increases the discomfort, including coughing, sneezing, and even inhalation. Occasionally, pain may 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 later there are long-term relapses. The precipitating factors of such an attack of intercostal neuralgia can be heavy lifting, prolonged uncomfortable posture, hypothermia, colds and stress.
What is thoracic osteochondrosis? What are its symptoms and how is it treated?
About causes and symptomsosteochondrosis of the thoracic regionspine and new treatment methods says a professional doctor and professor.
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 includes 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).
Medication should be combined with other treatments:
- gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis (performed daily several times a day).
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- acupuncture (tactile effect on acupuncture points, which has an exciting and calming effect on the body)
- acupuncture (or acupuncture) - the introduction of special needles for therapeutic purposes into biologically active points.
Acupuncture and acupuncture reduce pain, normalize blood pressure, stimulate the immune system.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region aims to strengthen the muscles of the back, the muscles of the shoulder girdle and the respiratory muscles, to restore the normal curves of the spine and to form the correct posture.
Massage helps relieve muscle hypertonicity, pain, improves blood supply to paravertebral tissues and cartilage nutrition. Massage combined with exercise therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis gives the maximum positive effect.
Very good results in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine showed therapeutic patch.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine with a patch
Medicines prescribed to treat 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 effectiveness 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, a medical patch is used for 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 is possible to apply it in the evening.
High performance, unique composition, long-term (up to 12 hours! ) therapeutic effect, ease of use and affordable price make the patch the choice in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.