thoracic osteochondrosis- This is a degenerative dystrophic process of the thoracic spine, the result of which is pathological changes in the bone and cartilage tissue of the spine, destruction of intervertebral discs, joints and ligaments.
The presentation of thoracic osteochondrosis is usually less severe than that of cervical or lumbar osteochondrosis. The truth is that the thoracic spine is less mobile, and the joints of the vertebrae, ribs, and sternum form a fairly solid structure that is less prone to injury from external influences. Therefore, the clinical manifestations of this disease are unlikely to lead patients to see a doctor, and thus, this type of osteochondrosis appears to be less common. but it is not the truth. Almost everyone who is forced to sit at a desk or drive for years because of the nature of their job experiences changes in their spine. In the presence of risk factors (poor posture, scoliosis, injury, weak back muscles), thoracic osteochondrosis is almost inevitable.
Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis
The causes of pain syndromes in thoracic osteochondrosis, as well as other types of osteochondrosis, are pathological changes of the intervertebral disc (thinning of the disc due to degeneration, herniation of the nucleus pulposus; herniation) and the articular spine of the disc (disruption of the cartilage surface, formation of osteophytes).
As a result of these changes, compression of the structures of the nerve roots in the spinal cord (radiculopathy), compression of the spinal cord (thoracic compressive myelopathy), spinal cord injury due to impaired blood supply due to clamping, narrowing of supplying arteries and veins (compressive vascularbone marrow ischemia) may occur.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are as follows:
- Soreness in the chest, aggravated by prolonged holding in one position and physical exertion;
- Pain between shoulder blades;
- pain when lifting the right or left arm;
- Body tilt movement, soreness when the upper body rotates;
- Pain that increases with deep inhalation and exhalation;
- Intercostal pain when walking;
- A feeling of squeezing your chest or back (like using a hoop);
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis may also be:
- A feeling of crawling all over the body, numbness in certain areas of the skin;
- itching, burning, and cold in the lower extremities;
- increased nail fragility and skin peeling (signs of vascular disease);
- Unexplained diseases of the digestive tract: constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are often very similar to those of other diseases - especially angina, myocardial infarction, stomach problems, pneumonia. Therefore, it is important to use additional instruments and laboratory methods for differential diagnosis.
Back pain and back pain as manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis depend on the extent of the changes and their localization in the spine. Thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by two vertebral syndromes—back pain and back pain.
dosagoSudden, severe pain in the thoracic spine. Commonly observed in people whose work involves sitting in one position for long periods of time, being in uncomfortable positions, and performing monotonous work. The onset of back pain ("thoracolumbar pain") is an acute onset of "dagger" pain between the shoulder blades. During the attack, the muscles were so tense that it was even difficult to breathe. In this case, thoracic pain can spread like intercostal neuralgia (along the ribs) to the sternum and sometimes to the shoulder blades. These symptoms are similar to those of myocardial infarction. But unlike a dorsal myocardial infarction, the patient's ECG was in the normal age range, and taking nitroglycerin or other similar drugs did not lead to improvement. In addition, pain increases with rotational motion of the upper body, and palpation (palpation) of the thoracic spine in patients with osteochondrosis may cause pain at the exit site of the spinal nerves (nerve roots).
back painStart gradually, unknowingly, and continue for up to two to three weeks. The affected spine is characterized by indistinct pain and various discomforts. Deep breathing and leaning forward or sideways can make the pain worse. Determine muscle tone and range of motion limitations in the cervicothoracic (upper back pain) or lumbo-thoracic region (lower back pain). Muscle spasms are also evident, so the patient also has a feeling of lack of air. The unpleasant sensation is exacerbated by leaning the torso sideways and forward, which restricts any movement of the adjacent parts of the spine. The pain usually worsens at night and goes away on its own after a short walk. Deep breathing and prolonged, strenuous body positions can exacerbate the pain.
Assignment: upper back pain with pain in the cervicothoracic region and lower back pain, including pain in the thoracolumbar region. Back pain can last up to 3 weeks.
This back pain must be differentiated from pneumonia, which has similar symptoms, but they are supplemented by pulmonary symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever.
Additional Features of Symptoms of Thoracic Osteochondrosis
For osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, gastropathy syndrome, which is often defined as a gastrointestinal disorder, is frequently observed. The main complaint of patients who often turn to gastroenterologists is epigastric pain, which usually increases in the afternoon after physical exertion and subsides (or disappears completely) after a good night's rest. Its appearance and exacerbation are practically independent of seasonality (peptic ulcers are known to occur in true gastritis patients, and rarely in autumn and spring without severe exacerbation), food quality and diet. These features of the syndrome help establish a correct diagnosis.
With osteochondrosis, the discs at the level of the 7th to 11th vertebrae suffer, and the pain -- whether intense, paroxysmal, or dull -- spreads to the cartilage on the right side. During attacks, patients often come to the hospital with various diagnoses: acute calculous cholecystitis, renal prolapse, pancreatitis, colitis, urolithiasis. Only through a detailed physical examination, it is possible to make a correct diagnosis -thoracic osteochondrosis.
If your skin peels for no reason, your nails become very brittle, and your legs often feel cold, you can suspect vascular disease caused by osteochondrosis.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is often accompanied by intercostal neuralgia. Pain along the ribs extends to the sternum. Any exercise can increase discomfort, including coughing, sneezing, and even breathing in. Sometimes, pain in the anterior abdominal wall is also felt. Intercostal neuralgia attacks caused by thoracic osteochondrosis can last from hours to weeks. It can go away without treatment, but then recur long-term. Triggers for this type of intercostal neuralgia attack can be heavy lifting, prolonged uncomfortable postures, hypothermia, colds, and stress.
What is thoracic osteochondrosis? What are its symptoms and how to treat it?
About causes and symptomsthoracic osteochondrosisSpine and new treatments are taught by professional doctors and professors.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
Drug therapy for osteochondrosis
For thoracic vertebral osteochondrosis, the usual symptomatic treatments for pain relief are administered: NSAIDs, analgesics, and anesthetic ointments and gels. If necessary, prescribe muscle relaxants, antidepressants.
At any stage of osteochondrosis, treatment includes the use of chondroprotectants (drugs that restore cartilage tissue), vitamins, and minerals (to increase the strength of ligaments and restore the structure of bone tissue).
Medication should be combined with other treatments:
- thoracic osteochondrosis gymnastics (several times a day);
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- Shiatsu (tactile effect on acupuncture points, stimulating and calming effect on the body)
- Acupuncture (or acupuncture) - The introduction of special needles for therapeutic purposes into biologically active sites.
Shiatsu and acupuncture can reduce pain, normalize blood pressure, and stimulate the immune system.
Exercise therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis aims to strengthen the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle, and respiratory muscles, restore the physiological curve of the spine, and form correct posture.
Massage helps relieve muscle tension, pain, and improves blood supply to the paravertebral tissue and cartilage nutrition. Massage combined with exercise therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis produces the greatest positive results.
Very good results in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine showed a therapeutic patch.
Treating thoracic osteochondrosis with a patch
Medications used to treat osteochondrosis of the spine, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, etc. , can harm the body with long-term use. And in the presence of certain gastrointestinal disorders, many of these drugs are often contraindicated.
To minimize the side effects of the drug and improve the effectiveness of treating osteochondrosis, a new generation of medication -- a therapeutic analgesic and anti-inflammatory patch -- helps.
The medical patch shows high efficiency in the treatment of various spinal diseases, including the treatment of thoracic vertebral osteochondrosis. It can give you pain and inflammation relief, improve blood circulation in the affected area, and reduce the dosage of pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
To relieve acute symptoms in the treatment of spinal thoracic osteochondrosis, use a medical patch for 3 to 5 days. Course of treatment - from 9 days. The medical patch is usually recommended for 12 hours in the morning, but can also be used in the evening.
High potency, unique ingredients, long-term (up to 12 hours! ) treatment effects, ease of use, and affordable price make the patch the treatment of choice for thoracic osteochondrosis.