Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, unlike cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis, is very rare.
It's all a question of the structure of the thoracic region: it has more discs than the cervical and lumbar spine combined, the discs are smaller and thinner.The mobility of this section is generally less and part of the load is borne by the ribs and sternum.
In osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptoms can be confused, for example, with a heart attack.The reason for this is the specificity of the disease.
In this case, there is no aching pain during movements and exertion, as in cervical or lumbar osteochondrosis, and complications associated with suspected angina pectoris or myocardial infarction or impaired respiratory function come to the fore.
Reasons
To a greater extent, the development of osteochondrosis is promoted by physical inactivity - deficiency of muscle loads, which constitutes a lack of training of the muscular corset, weakening of its functions and an increase in the load on the ligaments and intervertebral discs.
The following conditions can provoke the occurrence of osteochondrosis:
- Incorrect posture and lateral curvature of the spine;
- Bad habits;
- Nervous and physical overstrain, stress;
- Overload on the back and spine when wearing high-heeled shoes, during pregnancy and flat feet;
- Back injuries;
- Physical inactivity;
- Heredity;
- Physically 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 characteristics of the thoracic spine?
Everyone knows that the thoracic region is functionally inactive, especially when compared to the neck.And the load on it is not so great, compared, for example, to the lower back.For this reason, the occurrence of chest 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 connection of the vertebrae with the ribs and sternum makes it possible to create a sufficiently mobile and at the same time durable structure that is less susceptible to injuries and external influences.
The relatively small load on this department contributes to the fact that the occurrence of any problems in it (for example, displacement of vertebrae, intervertebral hernia, disc protrusion) is quite rare, which is confirmed by statistics.However, its appearance cannot be called something extraordinary;for example, poor posture and scoliosis can be some kind of provoking factor that leads to the occurrence of spinal diseases.
At the same time, the symptoms of these diseases appear quite late and are quite characteristic of osteochondrosis - they usually represent compression of the nerve roots;in rare cases, the spinal cord itself may be compressed or damaged due to impaired blood supply;Narrowing as a result of 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.Often it is thoracic osteochondrosis that is confused with coronary heart disease, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer disease and even myocardial infarction and pneumonia.That is why this disease is called “chameleon”.
Symptoms associated with pain:
- The pain is located below the shoulder blades and may radiate to the intercostal nerves.This leads to neuralgia.The pain increases when a person actively breathes or moves.
- Chest pain is most often located on the left side and can resemble coronary heart disease.In this situation, it is important to find out the reason for the appearance of pain in time.It is necessary to fully examine the cardiovascular system.
Neurological symptoms:
- Numbness or “crawling” in the legs, upper chest and abdomen (depending on the affected disc);
- Reflex tension in the muscles of the chest or upper back;
- In particularly advanced cases, it is possible to disrupt the functioning of the pelvic organs and reduce potency in men.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, in addition to pain in the spine and back near the site of osteochondrosis, may also include pain in the upper abdomen, heart, liver, and gallbladder.
When this pain occurs, a misdiagnosis is sometimes possible.Pain on the right side of the chest, under the ribs, can be confused with gallbladder inflammation;on the left side of the chest, can be mistaken for a heart attack.It is a mistake to confuse pain in the corresponding areas of the abdominal cavity with the manifestation of a stomach ulcer or gastritis.
Dorsago
Dorsago is one of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, which is manifested by sharp 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.
There may be pain in the spine, in the thoracic region, the muscles become tense and it is often difficult to breathe.Intercostal neuralgia may occur.
back pain
The exacerbation period will last 2 to 3 weeks.At the same time, the pain gradually increases.Mild pain appears in the affected part of the spine.As a rule, pain manifests itself especially actively when breathing deeply and bending forward, backward or to the sides.
The nature of pain during back pain can be very different.The pain can be pulling, burning, aching, cutting and can radiate to the leg, arm, buttock or shoulder blade.The location of the pain is no less varied.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 data based on an X-ray examination helps.Such an examination gives a clear idea of how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, as radiographic readings indicating the proliferation of vertebral bodies and the presence of changes in intervertebral distance (decreased height) are a characteristic symptom of this disease.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine depends on the stage of the disease and mainly comes down to conservative therapy.Surgery is extremely rare in cases of spina bifida.
Drug treatment
Drug therapy is based on the following principles:
- Using a special medicine that allows you to retain fluid inside the intervertebral disc.
- Vitamins.Most often, complete vitamin complexes or preparations with group B elements are prescribed.
- Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants that reduce spasm in the muscles around the spine.
- Painkillers.NSAIDs and analgesics based on drug combinations.
- Chondroprotectors.Necessary to catalyze the process of restoring damaged cartilage.
After eliminating acute phenomena, massage of the muscles of the back and lower limbs is used.Manual therapy is indicated for osteochondrosis grades 1-3 in the case of development of functional blockages.Includes several options for smooth and rough effects on the back muscles.
The duration of treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine depends on the severity of the disease and the degree of age-related changes, as well as the patient's diligence in following the prescriptions of the attending physician.
Gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, patients are prescribed therapeutic exercises, the main purpose of which is to increase the mobility of the costovertebral and intervertebral joints.Exercise therapy (provided that the exercises are performed regularly and correctly) can eliminate even very strong muscle spasms.Moderate physical activity will help alleviate spinal stiffness that occurs with a weak muscular corset.
Daily exercises, carried out under the supervision of an experienced instructor, will have a beneficial effect on the entire body and, in particular, on the bronchopulmonary system.Patients' lung ventilation improves and they become able to take deep breaths and exhale without pain.
Massage
Massage not only reduces the severity of the symptoms of the disease, but also helps a person recover, resulting in positive effects from other elements of complex therapy.
It is prescribed individually in accordance with the clinical picture of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the presence of chronic diseases and contraindications.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is used to eliminate hypertonicity and muscle spasms, as well as to restore back mobility.Thanks to manual therapy it is possible to free blood vessels, improve nutrition and oxygen supply to the tissues of the intervertebral discs.
Correct position when resting and sleeping
To prevent osteochondrosis and during the treatment period, it is necessary to organize the correct position during rest and sleep.It is best to sleep on a flat, hard bed, but this should be done without fanaticism;If the bed does not meet the requirements, it is not recommended to sleep on the floor, as you may catch a cold.This measure is very necessary so that the spine can quickly restore its normal shape.
However, at first, quite intense pain may appear, which persists until the vertebrae assume a physiological position.To relieve pain and discomfort, you can place a roller under the painful area.
Exercises
The most effective treatment for muscle spasms is physical therapy.Properly selected exercises relax and 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 set of exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis is performed as follows:
- Starting position: as you inhale, stand up straight, with your legs together and your arms down.Stretch your arms up - exhale, then bend back - take a deep breath.Lower your arms, lean forward, round your back and lower your shoulders and head - exhale.Perform 8 to 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 - get on all fours and bend your back as much as possible, hold for 3 seconds, keeping your head straight for three seconds.Perform 5 to 7 repetitions.
- Starting position - lie comfortably on your stomach and place your hands on the floor.At the same time, lean back hard and try to lift your body off the floor.Perform 5 to 8 repetitions.
- Starting position: lying face down with arms extended along the body.Bend over at the chest, trying to raise your head and legs as high as possible.Perform 5 to 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 region and other parts of the spine can be harmed by:
- prolonged static loads (sitting in front of the TV, computer);
- lift weights;
- habit of bending over;
- hypothermia and frequent colds.
Office workers who spend long periods at the workplace due to their duties need to change their body position more frequently, get up and do physical exercises.Even simple stretching has benefits.