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 bone 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 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 susceptible to injury due to external influences. Therefore, the clinical manifestations of this disease are much less likely to lead the patient to a doctor, and as a result, it appears that this type of osteochondrosis is less common. But it isn't. Almost everyone who is forced by the nature of their work to sit continuously at a desk or drive a car for years has changes in their spine. And in the presence of risk factors (poor posture, scoliosis, injuries, back muscle weakness), 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 joints of the spine (destruction of the cartilage surfaces, formation of osteophytes).
As a result of these changes, compression of the root structures of the spinal nerves (radiculopathy), compression of the spinal cord (chest compression myelopathy), damage to the spinal cord due to insufficient blood supply due to blockage, narrowing of the arteries supply and veins may occur (vascular compression myeloischemia).
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are as follows:
- chest pain, aggravated by prolonged stay in one position and during physical exertion;
- dull pain in the interscapular space;
- pain when lifting 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 appear when walking;
- a squeezing sensation in the chest or back (as with a circle);
The signs of thoracic osteochondrosis can also be:
- a feeling of crawling all over the body, numbness of certain areas of the skin;
- itching, burning and cold in the lower limbs;
- increased brittleness of the nails and peeling of the skin (a sign of vascular disorders);
- causeless disorders of the digestive system: 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 diseases, pneumonia. Therefore, it is very important to carry out differential diagnostics using additional instrumental and laboratory methods of examination.
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, in an uncomfortable position, in the performance of monotonous and monotonous work. A backbone attack ("low back pain") 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) towards the breastbone, sometimes up to the shoulder blade. These symptoms are similar to those of a myocardial infarction. But unlike back myocardial infarction, the patient's electrocardiogram is within the age norm, and taking nitroglycerin or other similar drugs does not lead to an improvement in the condition. In addition, the 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 site of the spinal nerve (nerve root).
Back painit starts gradually, imperceptibly and lasts up to two to three weeks. Not sharply pronounced pain in the affected spine and various discomforts are characteristic. The pain is aggravated by deep breathing and leaning forward or to the side. Muscle tension and limitation of range of motion are determined in the cervicothoracic (upper back pain) or lumbar-thoracic (lower back pain) region. Muscle spasm is also very pronounced, so patients also have a feeling of lack of air. The unpleasant sensations are aggravated by the inclination of the torso to the side and forward, which limits any movement in the adjacent sections of the spine. The pain usually gets worse at night, after waking up, the pain goes away on its own with a short walk. The pain is aggravated by deep breathing, prolonged forced position of the body.
Allocate: upper back pain, accompanied by pain in the cervicothoracic region and lower back pain, in which pains in the thoracolumbar region are present. Back pain can last up to 3 weeks.
This type of back pain must be differentiated from pneumonia, which also has similar symptoms, but 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 gastrological syndrome is often observed, which is often referred to 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 completely disappears) after a good night's rest. Its appearance and intensification are practically not related to seasonality (as is known, in real patients with gastritis, peptic ulcer, rare autumn and spring passages without severe exacerbations), food quality and diet. These features of the manifestation of the syndrome help establish the correct diagnosis.
With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs at the level of the 7th-11th vertebrae suffer, pain - severe, paroxysmal or dull, aching - spreads to the right hypochondrium. During an attack, patients often come to the hospital with a variety of diagnoses: acute chalcolithic cholecystitis, renal prolapse, pancreatitis, colitis, urolithiasis. And only after a detailed medical examination, it is possible to make the correct diagnosis -osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Vascular disorders caused by osteochondrosis can be suspected if, for no apparent reason, the skin peels off, the nails become very brittle, and the legs often feel cold.
Often osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is complicated by intercostal neuralgia. Pain along the ribs extends to the breastbone. Any movement increases discomfort, including coughing, sneezing, and even inhaling. Occasionally, pain may also be felt in the anterior abdominal wall. An attack of intercostal neuralgia caused by thoracic osteochondrosis can last from a few hours to several weeks. It can go away without treatment, but there are long-term relapses later on. The provoking factors of such an attack of intercostal neuralgia can be weight lifting, prolonged uncomfortable posture, hypothermia, colds and stress.
What is thoracic osteochondrosis? What are its symptoms and how to treat it?
On causes and symptomsosteochondrosis of the thoracic regionthe backbone and the new methods of treatment are told by a professional doctor and a professor.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Medical treatment of osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the usual symptomatic treatment for pain relief is performed: NSAIDs, analgesics, anesthetic ointments and gels. If necessary, muscle relaxants, antidepressants are prescribed.
At any stage of osteochondrosis, treatment involves 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).
Drug therapy should be combined with other treatments:
- gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis (performed daily several times a day);
- Physiotherapy;
- massage;
- physical therapy;
- acupressure (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.
Acupressure and acupuncture lead to a decrease in pain, normalize blood pressure, stimulate the immune system.
Physical therapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is aimed at strengthening the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle muscles and respiratory muscles, restoring the physiological curves of the spine and forming the correct posture.
Massage helps relieve muscle hypertonia, pain, improves blood supply to the paravertebral tissues and nutrition of cartilage. Massage in combination with physical therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis gives the maximum positive effect.
Excellent results in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine showed a therapeutic patch.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine with a patch
Drugs prescribed in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, such as NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, etc. , With prolonged use, they can harm the body. And in the presence of some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, many of these drugs are usually contraindicated.
To minimize the side effects of drugs and increase the effectiveness of osteochondrosis treatment, a new generation drug helps - an anti-inflammatory therapeutic analgesic patch.
The medical patch has 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, a medical plaster 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 you can apply it at night.
High efficiency, unique composition, long-term therapeutic effect (up to 12 hours! ), Ease of use and affordable price make the patch the choice in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.