Thoracic spine osteochondrosis is a rare pathology and the most insidious form of osteochondrosis. Due to the anatomical characteristics, this part of the spine is relatively rarely degenerated. The twelve vertebrae of this department are very firmly connected to each other and are perfectly protected by a muscle girdle, which greatly limits the range of motion between them. The ribs provide extra rigidity to the vertebrae.
The most likely cause of thoracic osteochondrosis is scoliosis, even on the desk. The risk factors for intervertebral disc injury can be:
- genetic factors;
- Improper nutrition and overweight;
- Labor activities related to restricted mobility;
- Excessive physical activity;
- Age factors and hypothermia;
- Intervertebral disc segment is unstable;
- Smoking and nervousness;
- Bruises, fractures and injuries of the spine are the most favorable factors for the formation of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and signs
One hallmark of breast osteochondrosis is pain. It is customarily subdivided into the following types:
- Low back pain-back pain. Acute, sudden pain in the affected disc area. The symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are the result of prolonged sitting for a long time, when you have to sit at the table for a long time and bend over. When you try to stand up or lift yourself up, severe pain (lower back pain) occurs.
- Backache. The pain worsens when trying to breathe deeply and move the torso. The back muscles are tense, and movement in any spine area may be restricted.
Visceral (internal) performance
The symptoms of chest osteochondrosis are abundant internal (visceral) manifestations.
The failure of the upper thoracic nerve root causes pain in the esophagus and pain in the pharynx.
Pressure on the affected area of the spine can cause pain to worsen. It can be paroxysmal.
The symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, manifested as stomach pain, indicate that the nerve endings in the middle thoracic spine are damaged, and the pain will increase when lying on the back for a long time.
Compression of the 8th and 9th spinal cord can cause pain in the duodenal area. Sensitivity of the front part of the abdominal wall is impaired.
Abnormal gastric motility (secretion and peristalsis) is a characteristic symptom of chest osteochondrosis.
result:
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Heartburn;
- Left side hypochondriac pain;
- Flatulence;
- Diarrhea or constipation.
Dysfunction of the duodenum (secretion and movement) causes:
- Nausea and hiccups;
- There is pain and heaviness in the right side.
Many times, osteochondrosis in the sternum area is a characteristic symptom of other diseases, such as angina pectoris. At the same time, pay attention to heart pain: cutting, pressing, burning the heart or squeezing the throat.
Laryngeal spasm-pathological results at the level of the cervical spine, the development of symptoms manifests:
- Shortness of breath and cough;
- respite;
- Shortness of breath.
In the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, its symptoms and manifestations are similar to lung pathology, and it is necessary to accurately establish its relationship with spinal diseases.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
When formulating a treatment plan to determine how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, diagnostic data based on X-ray examinations can be helpful. Such an examination clearly explains how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, because X-ray readings indicate that the proliferation of the vertebral body and the change in the distance between the vertebrae (reduced height) are characteristic symptoms of this disease.
According to the diagnostic examination data, the main symptoms are determined and the clinical diagnosis is clear, so that the correct strategy can be determined.
The treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis directly depends on the existence of the syndrome, development stage and background disease.
In order to relieve pain, restore damaged spinal nerve function, and prevent the progress of degenerative changes in spinal structure, conservative methods combined with complex step-by-step treatments are adopted.
The treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes many physical therapy procedures:
- Inductance measurement method and electrophoresis method;
- Laser therapy and vacuum therapy;
- Sinusoidal model and radial current;
- Magnetic force and drug puncture;
- acupuncture.
medical treatement:
- Vascular regulating diuretics and muscle relaxants (muscle relaxants and intravenous injections);
- Paravertebral novokoin block.
physiotherapy
Physical therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis is the main stage of the rehabilitation process. Strengthen the muscles and mobility of the spine. Exercises for chest osteochondrosis can help improve the ventilation of patients with pain caused by deep breathing.
Gymnastics is effective in treating thoracic osteochondrosis:
- When the spine is stretched;
- When setting the correct breathing.
But we must not forget that gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis can only be effective after all the causes of the disease have been identified and eliminated.
If the prescribed treatment process does not bring positive results, various surgical intervention methods will be used according to the obvious symptoms and the degree of damage.
Cervical Sternal Osteochondrosis
Cervical thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease caused by a process that affects the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine (degenerative dystrophy).
Vertebrae that are close to each other are not adequately protected by the relatively underdeveloped muscular framework. Even the slightest pressure on the neck can cause myelopathy.
The main symptoms
The symptoms of cervical thoracic osteochondrosis are:
- Sensitivity disorders of neck, skin, hands and facial muscles;
- Headache and dizziness;
- Unsteady gait;
- Fatigue worsens, vision and hearing deteriorate.
The pain will radiate to the arm, extending from the shoulder to the fingertips, causing skin numbness. Even slight movements of the neck will cause electric currents in the entire arm.
Myelopathy can cause:
- Lung and heart disease;
- Dual vision
- Tongue numbness.
Treatment of worsening disease
The use of compound therapy in the treatment of deterioration of cervical and thoracic osteochondrosis can achieve long-lasting positive results. This includes:
- The orthopedic correction method is to fix the neck with a Chance collar, which supports the head, significantly reduces the pressure on the cervical spine and helps its alignment.
- This method uses drug puncture-anti-inflammatory drugs (preferably homeopathic) to relax spastic muscles and prevent the increase in nerve root compression.
- Cartilage protective agent-to prevent damage to cartilage tissue.
- Drugs that help strengthen the intervertebral disc ligament device.
- Acupuncture is used to quickly relieve pain, relieve muscle spasm, and restore spinal nerve function. This method is very effective, and using it during exacerbations can prevent the progression of the disease for many years.
- Leech Therapy-Leech therapy promotes the formation of scars on the damaged annulus of the intervertebral disc, eliminates nerve root edema, and improves blood circulation in the intervertebral disc of the spine.
- Medications-biostimulants, drugs to improve peripheral circulation, vitamins.
- Massage-relax spasm muscles, restore and strengthen them.
In the final stage of treatment, in the case of eliminating muscle spasms and inflammatory processes, they are connected-manual therapy, osteopathy, exercise therapy.
Timely treatment of any disease can prevent the deterioration of the disease and the various complications caused by it.