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 solid structure, which is less susceptible to injury as a result of external influences. Therefore, the clinical manifestations of this disease are much less likely to bring the patient to the doctor, and as a result, this type of osteochondrosis seems to be less common. But it didn't. Almost everyone who, due to the nature of their work, is forced to sit continuously at a desk or drive a car for years, experiences changes in their 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 syndrome 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. spine (destruction of cartilaginous surfaces, formation of osteophytes).
As a result of these changes, there is 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 impaired blood supply due to constriction, narrowing of the supply arteries and veins (compression-vascular 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 raising the right or left arm;
- pain during oblique movements of the body, during rotational movements of the upper body;
- increased pain with deep inhalation and exhalation;
- pain in the intercostal spaces that appear during walking;
- tightness in the chest or back (as with a hoop);
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis can also be:
- feeling of crawling all over the body, numbness of certain areas of the skin;
- itching, burning and coldness of the lower extremities;
- increased fragility of nails and skin peeling (a sign of vascular disorders);
- unexplained disorders of the digestive tract: constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often very similar to symptoms of other diseases - especially angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, stomach diseases, pneumonia. Therefore, it is very important to carry out differential diagnostics with the help of additional instrumental and laboratory testing methods.
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, performing monotonous monotonous work. An attack of dorsag ("lumbago of the chest") 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 sternum, sometimes even to the scapula. These symptoms are similar to those of a myocardial infarction. But unlike a myocardial infarction in the back, the patient's electrocardiogram is within the age norm, and taking nitroglycerin or other similar drugs does not improve the condition. In addition, the pain increases 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 starts gradually, imperceptibly and lasts up to two to three weeks. Unaccented pains in the affected spine and various complaints are characteristic. The pain is aggravated by deep breathing and leaning forward or to the side. Muscle tension and limitation of range of motion in the cervicothoracic (upper dorsalgia) or lumbar-thoracic area (lower dorsalgia) are determined. Muscle spasm is also very pronounced, so patients also feel short of breath. 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 is usually worse at night, after waking up the pain goes away by itself with a short walk. The pain is intensified by deep breathing, prolonged forced body position.
Assign: upper dorsalgia, accompanied by pain in the cervicothoracic region and lower dorsalgia, in which pain occurs in the thoracolumbar region. Dorsalgia can last up to 3 weeks.
This type of dorsalgia should be distinguished from pneumonia, which also has similar symptoms, but they are supplemented by pulmonary symptoms: cough, difficulty breathing, fever.
Other symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, a gastrological 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 intensifies in the afternoon after physical work and subsides (or disappears completely) 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, there are rare autumn and spring passages without serious exacerbations), food quality and diet. These characteristics of the manifestation of the syndrome help to establish the correct diagnosis.
In osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs at the 7th - 11th level suffer. vertebra, pain - strong, paroxysmal or dull, painful - spreading 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 a correct diagnosis -
Vascular disorders caused by osteochondrosis can be suspected if the skin peels for no apparent reason, the nails become very brittle, and the feet are often cold.
Often, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is complicated by intercostal neuralgia. Pain along the ribs extends to the sternum. Any movement increases the discomfort, including coughing, sneezing, even breathing. Sometimes pain can also be felt in the front 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, cold and stress.
What is thoracic osteochondrosis? What are its symptoms and how to treat it?
About causes and symptomsosteochondrosis of the thoracic regionspine and new treatment methods are discussed by an expert doctor and professor.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Medical treatment of osteochondrosis
In case of 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 and 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).
Drug therapy should be combined with other treatments:
- gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis (performed daily several times a day);
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- acupressure (tactile effect on acupuncture points, which has an exciting and soothing effect on the body)
- acupuncture (or acupuncture) - the introduction of special needles for therapeutic purposes into biologically active points.
Acupressure and acupuncture reduce pain, normalize blood pressure, and stimulate the immune system.
Therapy with exercises for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is aimed at strengthening the back muscles, shoulder girdle muscles and respiratory muscles, restoring the physiological curves of the spine and forming a proper posture.
Massage helps relieve muscle hypertonus, 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, 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.
In order to reduce the side effects of drugs and increase the effectiveness of the treatment of osteochondrosis, a drug of the new generation helps - a therapeutic analgesic anti-inflammatory 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 part. 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 the treatment course - from 9 days. It is usually recommended to use the medical patch in the morning for 12 hours, but it is also possible to apply it at night.
High efficiency, unique composition, long-lasting (up to 12 hours! ) therapeutic effect, ease of use and affordable price make the patch a choice in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.