Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine- This is a degenerative-dystrophic process in the thoracic spine, during which pathological changes in the bone and cartilage tissue of the spine occur, 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 that is less susceptible to injury from external influences. Therefore, the clinical manifestations of this disease are much less likely to lead the patient to a doctor, and as a result, this type of osteochondrosis seems to be less common. But that's not the case. Almost everyone who, by the nature of their job, is forced to sit at a desk or drive a car non-stop for years will experience spinal changes. 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 intervertebral disc due to degeneration of the nucleus pulposus, protrusion; intervertebral hernia) and joints of the intervertebral spine (destruction of 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 (thoracic compression myelopathy), damage to the spinal cord due to circulatory disorders due to clamping, narrowing of the supply arteries and veins (compression vascular myeloid ischemia) 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, with twisting movements of the upper body;
- increased pain on deep inhalation and exhalation;
- pain in the intercostal spaces that occurs when walking;
- a feeling of pressing the chest or back (as with a hoop);
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis can also be:
- tingling all over the body, numbness of certain areas of the skin;
- itching, burning and coldness of the lower extremities;
- increased nail brittleness and skin peeling (a sign of vascular disease);
- causative disorders of the digestive tract: 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 conduct differential diagnostics using additional instrumental and laboratory methods of research.
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 stabbing pain in the thoracic spine. It is usually observed in people whose work involves prolonged sitting in one position, is in an uncomfortable position, and performs monotonous monotonous work. A dorsago attack ("chest lumbago") is an acute attack of "dagger" pain between the shoulder blades. During a seizure, the muscles are so tight that even breathing can be difficult. Pain in the thoracic spine in this case, like intercostal neuralgia (along the ribs), can spread to the sternum, sometimes to the scapula. These symptoms are similar to those of a myocardial infarction. But, unlike myocardial infarction in Dorsago, the patient's electrocardiogram is within the norm of age, and taking nitroglycerin or other similar drugs does not lead to an improvement in the condition. In addition, the pain increases with rotational movements of the upper body, and palpation of the thoracic spine in patients with osteochondrosis can cause pain at the exit site of the spinal nerve (nerve root).
dorsalgiabegins gradually, imperceptibly and lasts up to two to three weeks. Distinctly pronounced pain in the affected spine and various complaints are characteristic. The pain is made worse by breathing deeply and leaning forward or to the side. Muscle tension and movement restrictions in the cervicothoracic (upper dorsalgia) or lumbar-thoracic area (lower dorsalgia) are determined. Muscle cramps are also very pronounced, so patients also have a feeling of lack of air. Uncomfortable sensations are aggravated by a sideways and forward leaning of the upper body, which limits any movement in the adjacent sections of the spine. The pain usually worsens 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 posture of the body.
Allocate: upper dorsalgia, accompanied by pain in the cervicothoracic region and lower dorsalgia, in which there is pain in the thoracolumbar region. Dorsalgia can last up to 3 weeks.
This form of dorsalgia must be differentiated from pneumonia, which also has similar symptoms, but is accompanied by pulmonary symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever.
Other features of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
With osteochondrosis of the chest region, a gastrologic syndrome is often observed, which is often defined as a disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The main complaints of patients who often turn to a gastroenterologist are 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 occurrence and intensification are practically not related to seasonality (known in real patients with gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, rare autumn and spring pass without serious exacerbations), food quality and nutrition. These features of the manifestation of the syndrome will help to make the correct diagnosis.
With osteochondrosis, intervertebral discs suffer at the level of the 7th-11th vertebrae, 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 only as a result of a detailed medical examination is it possible to make the correct diagnosis -Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Vascular diseases 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 sternum. Any movement increases discomfort, including coughing, sneezing, and even inhaling. Occasionally, 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 later there are long-term relapses. 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?
About causes and symptomsOsteochondrosis of the chest regionThe spine and new treatment methods are explained by 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 for pain relief is carried out: NSAIDs, analgesics, as well as anesthetic ointments and gels. If necessary, muscle relaxants and antidepressants are prescribed.
At any stage of osteochondrosis, treatment includes the appointment of chondroprotectors (drugs to 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);
- Physical therapy;
- Massage;
- exercise therapy;
- Acupressure (tactile effect on acupuncture points, which has a stimulating and calming effect on the body)
- Acupuncture (or acupuncture) - the insertion of special needles for therapeutic purposes into biologically active points.
Acupressure and acupuncture lead to pain relief, normalize blood pressure, stimulate the immune system.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is aimed at strengthening the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle and respiratory muscles, restoring the physiological curvatures of the spine and forming the correct posture.
Massage helps relieve muscle hypertonia and pain, improves blood supply to paravertebral tissues and cartilage nutrition. Massage in combination with exercise therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis gives the maximum positive effect.
A 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
Medications prescribed to treat osteochondrosis of the spine, such as NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, etc. , can cause harm to the body with prolonged use. And in 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 will help - 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 reduce pain and inflammation, improve blood circulation in the affected area, reduce the dose of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
To relieve acute symptoms in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine, a medicated plaster is used for 3-5 days. Duration of course treatment - from 9 days. It is usually recommended to use the medicated 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 affordable price make the patch the first choice in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.