Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine- This is a degenerative-dystrophic process in the chest 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.
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 strong enough structure, which is less susceptible to damage due to external influences. Therefore, the clinical manifestations of this disease are very unlikely to lead the patient to the doctor, and as a result, it seems that this type of osteochondrosis is less common. But it is not. Almost everyone who has to constantly sit behind a desk or drive a car due to the nature of their work experiences changes in the spine. If there are 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 breast, 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 the joints of the joints. spine (destruction of cartilaginous surfaces, formation of osteophytes).
As a result of these changes, compression of the radicular structures of the spinal nerves (radiculopathy), compression of the spinal cord (thoracic compression myelopathy), damage to the spinal cord due to disruption of blood supply due to compression, narrowing of the supply vessels. and vessels (compression-vascular myeloischemia) may occur.
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 physical exertion;
- dull pain in the interscapular space;
- pain when raising the right or left arm;
- pain with inclined movements of the body, rotational movements of the upper part of the body;
- increased pain with deep inhalation and exhalation;
- pain in the intercostal spaces when walking;
- a feeling of tightness in the chest or back (as if with a ring);
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis may also be:
- creeping sensation in the whole body, numbness of certain parts of the skin;
- itching, burning and coldness of the lower extremities;
- increased fragility of nails and peeling of the skin (sign of vascular diseases);
- unexplained disorders of the digestive system: constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often very similar to symptoms of other diseases - in particular, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, stomach diseases, pneumonia. Therefore, it is very important to carry out differential diagnosis using additional instrumental and laboratory examination methods.
Dorsago and dorsalgia as a manifestation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region depend on the degree of changes and localization in the spine. Thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by two vertebral syndromes - dorsago and dorsalgia.
Dorsagois a sudden sharp pain in the thoracic lumbar region. It is usually observed in people whose work is related to sitting in one position for a long time, being in an uncomfortable position, doing monotonous monotonous work. Dorsago attack ("chest lumbago") is a sharp attack of "dagger" pain between the shoulder blades. During an attack, the muscles become so tense that even breathing can become difficult. At this time, pain in the chest can spread to the sternum, and sometimes to the shoulder blade, like intercostal neuralgia (along the ribs). These symptoms are similar to myocardial infarction. But unlike a myocardial infarction in the chest, the patient's electrocardiogram corresponds to the age norm, and taking nitroglycerin or other similar drugs does not improve the condition. In addition, pain intensifies with rotational movements of the upper body, and palpation (palpation) of the chest in patients with osteochondrosis can cause pain at the exit of the spinal nerve (nerve root).
Dorsalgiait starts gradually, imperceptibly and lasts for two to three weeks. Sharply expressed pain and various discomforts are characteristic of the affected spine. The pain is aggravated by deep breathing and bending forward or sideways. Cervicothoracic (upper dorsalgia) or lumbo-thoracic (lower dorsalgia) muscle tension and limitation of range of motion are identified. Muscle spasm is also very obvious, so patients have a feeling of lack of air. Unpleasant sensations are aggravated by bending the torso 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 passes by itself with a short walk. Pain intensifies with deep breathing, long-term forced position of the body.
Separate: upper dorsalgia with pain in the cervicothoracic region and lower dorsalgia with pain in the thoracolumbar region. Dorsalgia can last up to 3 weeks.
This type of dorsalgia should be distinguished from pneumonia, which has similar symptoms, but they are complemented by pulmonary symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever.
Other features of the symptoms of thoracic lumbar osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, gastrological syndrome, which is often defined as a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, is often observed. The main complaint of patients who often consult a gastroenterologist is pain in the epigastric region, which, as a rule, intensifies in the afternoon after physical work and decreases (or disappears completely) after a good night's rest. Its appearance and intensification are practically not related to seasonality (as it is known, gastritis, peptic ulcer passes without serious exacerbations in rare autumn and spring), food quality and diet. These characteristics of the manifestation of the syndrome help to make the correct diagnosis.
With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs at the level of the 7-11th vertebra suffer, the pain - either strong, paroxysmal, or dull, aching - 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 it is possible to make a correct diagnosis only as a result of a detailed medical examination -
If the skin peels off for no reason, the nails become very fragile, and the feet often get cold, one can suspect a vascular disorder caused by osteochondrosis.
Often, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is complicated by intercostal neuralgia. Pain along the ribs extends to the sternum. Any movement increases anxiety, including coughing, sneezing, even breathing. Sometimes pain can also be felt in the front wall of the abdomen. An attack of intercostal neuralgia caused by thoracic osteochondrosis can last from several hours to several weeks. It can go away without treatment, but later there are long-term relapses. Precipitating factors of an attack of intercostal neuralgia can be heavy lifting, prolonged uncomfortable posture, hypothermia, cold and stress.
What is thoracic osteochondrosis? What are its symptoms and how can it be treated?
About causes and symptomsosteochondrosis of the thoracic regionspine and new treatment methods are explained by a professional doctor and professor.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Medical treatment of osteochondrosis
To relieve pain with thoracic spine osteochondrosis, usual symptomatic treatment is carried out: 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 (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;
- exercise therapy;
- acupressure (the effect of touching acupuncture points, which has an exciting and soothing effect on the body)
- Acupuncture (or acupuncture) - insertion of special needles into biologically active points for therapeutic purposes.
Acupressure and acupuncture reduce pain, normalize blood pressure, and stimulate the immune system.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the breast is aimed at strengthening the back muscles, shoulder girdle muscles and respiratory muscles, restoring the physiological curves of the spine and forming the correct posture.
Massage helps relieve muscle hypertonicity, pain, improves blood supply to paravertebral tissues and cartilage nutrition. Massage in combination with exercise therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis gives the maximum positive effect.
The therapeutic patch showed very good results in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine with a patch
Medicines prescribed in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, for example, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, etc. , It can harm the body with long-term use. 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 - a therapeutic analgesic anti-inflammatory patch helps.
The medical patch has shown high efficiency in the treatment of various diseases of the spine, including osteochondrosis of the breast. This allows to relieve pain and inflammation, improve blood circulation in the affected area, reduce the dose of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine, a medical patch is used for 3 to 5 days to relieve acute symptoms. Duration of course treatment - from 9 days. It is usually recommended to use the medical patch for 12 hours in the morning, but it is possible to apply it at night.
High efficiency, unique composition, long-term (up to 12 hours! ) therapeutic effect, ease of use and reasonable price make the patch a choice in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest.