Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, unlike cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis, is very rare.
It all depends on 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 lower and part of the load is borne by the ribs and sternum.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptoms can be confused, for example, with a heart attack.The reason is the specificity of the disease.
In this case, there are no aching pains during movement and exertion, as in cervical or lumbar osteochondrosis, and complications associated with suspected angina or myocardial infarction or impaired respiratory function appear.
Reasons
To a greater extent, the development of osteochondrosis is promoted by physical inactivity - a deficit in muscle load, which leads to lack of training of the muscular corset, a weakening of its functions and increased load on ligaments and intervertebral discs.
The following conditions can provoke the appearance of osteochondrosis:
- Poor posture and lateral curvature of the spine;
- Bad habits;
- Nervous and physical overwork, stress;
- Overload of 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 in the thoracic vertebrae are also affected by a sedentary lifestyle and physical activity, increasing the risk of injury.
What are the specificities of the thoracic spine?
Everyone knows that the thoracic region is functionally inactive, especially in relation to the neck.And the load on it is not so great, compared, for example, to the lumbar region.For this reason, the onset of chest disease rarely occurs with symptoms at an early stage of development.
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, less susceptible to injury and external influences.
The relatively low load on this department contributes to the fact that the occurrence of problems (for example, displacement of the vertebrae, intervertebral herniation, disc protrusion) is quite rare, this is confirmed by statistics.However, their appearance cannot be called extraordinary;for example, poor posture and scoliosis can be factors causing the onset 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 due to 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 the internal organs.It is often thoracic osteochondrosis that is confused with coronary heart disease, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer disease and even myocardial infarction and pneumonia.This is why this disease is called “chameleon”.
Symptoms associated with pain:
- The pain is located under the shoulder blades and can 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 artery disease.In this situation, it is important to find out in time the reason why the pain appeared.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 such pain occurs, misdiagnosis is sometimes possible.Pain in the right side of the chest, below the ribs, can be confused with inflammation of the gallbladder, while in the left side of the chest it can be confused with 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.Usually, this symptom occurs in people who sit for a long time in the same position or in an uncomfortable position, while doing monotonous work.
Pain may occur in the spine in the thoracic region, the muscles become tense and it is often even difficult to breathe.Intercostal neuralgia may occur.
Back pain
The exacerbation period will last 2-3 weeks.At the same time, the pain gradually increases.Mild pain appears in the affected part of the spine.As a rule, the pain manifests itself especially actively when you breathe deeply and lean forward, back or to the sides.
The nature of the pain during back pain can be very different.The pain may be pulling, burning, aching, cutting and may radiate to the leg, arm, buttock or shoulder blade.The location of the pain is no less varied.They can appear at the bottom, top, middle, right, left, between the shoulder blades.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
When developing a treatment plan determining how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, diagnostic data based on X-ray examination are useful.Such an examination gives a clear idea of how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, since x-rays indicating the proliferation of vertebral bodies and the presence of changes in the intervertebral distance (decrease in 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 treatment.Surgery is extremely rare in cases of spina bifida.
Drug treatment
Pharmacotherapy is based on the following principles:
- Use a special medication that allows you to retain fluid inside the intervertebral disc.
- Vitamins.Most often, complete vitamin complexes or preparations containing group B elements are prescribed.
- Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants that reduce spasms of the muscles surrounding the spine.
- Painkillers.NSAIDs and analgesics based on drug combinations.
- Chondroprotectors.Necessary to catalyze the process of restoring damaged cartilage.
After the elimination of acute phenomena, massage of the muscles of the back and lower extremities is used.Manual therapy is indicated for grades 1-3 of osteochondrosis in the event of the development of functional blockages.It includes various options for gentle 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
For osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, patients are prescribed therapeutic exercises, the main goal 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 relieve spinal stiffness that occurs with a weak muscle 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' pulmonary ventilation improves and they become able to breathe deeply and exhale without pain.
Massage
Massage not only reduces the severity of symptoms of the disease, but also helps a person recover, which leads to the positive effects of other elements of complex therapy.
It is prescribed individually depending on the clinical picture of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the presence of chronic diseases and contraindications.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is used to eliminate hypertonia 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 return to its normal shape.
However, at first, quite severe pain may appear, which persists until the vertebrae take 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 physiotherapy.Correctly selected exercises relax and at the same time strengthen and train the back muscles.As a result, the thoracic spine is stabilized and pinched spinal nerves are released.
A set of exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis is performed as follows:
- Starting position: while inhaling, stand straight, legs together, arms down.Stretch your arms - exhale, then lean 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 place 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 forcefully and try to lift your body off the floor.Perform 5 to 8 repetitions.
- Starting position: lying on your stomach, arms extended alongside your body.Bend over at chest level, trying to raise your head and legs as much as possible.Perform 5 to 8 repetitions.
If you follow all the doctor's instructions, you will slowly but surely be able to achieve a significant improvement in your condition.
Prevention
The health of the chest and other parts of the spine can be affected by:
- long static loads (sitting in front of the TV, computer);
- lifting weights;
- habit of slouching;
- hypothermia and frequent colds.
Office workers who spend long periods at their workplace due to their tasks need to change their body position more often, stand up and do physical exercises.Even simple stretches have benefits.