Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - signs and symptoms of the disease.

Degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine are a type of human payment for erectile dysfunction. It is known that other mammals do not suffer from osteochondrosis, as their vertebral column is horizontally located on the earth's surface. The vertical load and displacement of the vertebrae contribute to a dangerous situation during walking leading to gradual destruction of cartilaginous tissue.

In the thoracic region, such procedures occur less frequently than in the sacrum and cervix, but this does not reduce the risk of the disease. In this article the symptoms and treatment issues of osteochondrosis of the thoracic regionAlso, items related to the prevention of this disease will be discussed in detail.

characteristics of thoracic osteochondrosis

The thoracic spine is characterized by reduced mobility, which reduces the likelihood of degenerative processes in the region. Nevertheless, cases of the disease are routinely recorded by orthopedists and trumatologists in representatives of different age groups.

In recent decades, there has been a steady increase in the incidence of osteochondrosis in civilized countries. Doctors believe the main reason for this trend is an inactive lifestyle, poor diet and a general environmental background on the planet.

Women suffer from thoracic osteochondrosis 2-3 times compared to men. This is due to the characteristic of female anatomy and physiology. Additional influencing factors are: childbirth, heel walking, musculo-ligamentous in womenGeneral weakness of mechanism.

In both sexes, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region causes painful symptoms and reduces range of motion. The progression of pathology is fraught with compression of the nerve endings, which inevitably affect the position of the internal organs. In advanced cases of disease, there are often disturbances in the functioning of blood vessels and heart, breathing problems.

Anatomically, the 12 thoracic vertebrae are connected to the ribs and sternum in a strong and passive frame structure that protects the internal organs from mechanical stress. In the early stage, the disease does not produce nearly severe symptoms, but the latter. In stages, the manifestations of pathology are so diverse that sometimes it prevents an accurate diagnosis. No wonder osteochondrosis is often referred to as "chameleon disease".

The most common causes of thoracic osteochondrosis are trauma, weakness of the muscular system, physical inactivity, metabolic disorders, excessive weight on the back, genetic disturbances. Disease develops slowly, which, on the one hand, allows you to begin treatment on time. Allows to perform and prevent degenerative processes, but on the other hand, it prevents early detection of pathology.

disease stage

Physicians classify thoracic osteochondrosis by stages of development:

Stage 1.Intervertebral discs lose their elastic properties, decrease in size, but have not yet moved from their structural position.

Stage 2.The disc height further decreases, and the spinal column itself loses its stability. The cracks form in the annulus, the discs shift and nerve endings, blood vessels, andThe muscles exert pressure. The second phase is characterized by severe back pain and neurological symptoms.

Stage 3.Degenerative processes can lead to the development of protrusions and rupture of the annulus fibros. In such cases, herniated discs are diagnosed. The disks lose their cushion properties and theirStruggles to perform proper bodily functions. The vertebrates also suffer - they come together, break down and form osteophytes - dangerous bone growth.

In addition to hard tissue, muscles, ligaments and tendons are affected. Muscles are blocked, they have spasms. Trying to stabilize the affected area as much as possible to reduce body pain. Is - this leads to congestion of muscles and muscle atrophy.

symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis

As already mentioned, in the early stage, thoracic osteochondrosis manifests itself weakly or does not manifest itself at all. As the deformity increases, between the shoulder blades. Periodic pain arises: Symptoms intensify after physical activity or, conversely, after prolonged rest. Often, pain disturbs patients after waking up in the morning and weakens within an hour. Sometimes pain moves along the intercostal nerve, radiating to the chest when coughing, sneezing, or running.

specific signal

In 2-3 steps, the most indicative symptom of degenerative disc disease of the thoracic region is persistent pain in the intersecting region. Pain in the sores is also quite specific: Angina pectoris with sensations coronary artery disease or heart failureSimilar to the attack of.

The similarity of symptoms of heart disease is a common cause of misdiagnosis. However, it is quite easy to distinguish pain from degenerative processes in the spine from heart symptoms: nitroglycerin and similar drugs that prevent angina attacks, With osteochondrosis, do not reduce the patient's condition in any way.

Other symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:

• stiffness (dorsal) of the trunk muscles during deep breathing - as if the body was squeezed with a hoop;
• dorsago - a sharp pain in the chest (so-called "chest lumbago");
• goose bumps and numbness in hands (in presence of radicular syndrome);
• Intercostal pain during walking and physical activity (intercostal neuralgia): With inflammation of the nerve endings, pain becomes constant;
• thoracic back cramps;
• Pain when lifting arms, turning the torso and breathing deeply.

The stages of the disease directly affect the intensity of symptoms. Clinically, it is not important for patients to eliminate pain with medications and unconventional methods (analgesics, antispasmodics, various ointments, compresses, and heating pads), butTo visit the clinic and find out the cause of pain from the doctor. Self-treatment for osteochondrosis is rarely effective, and in some cases even prolongs the course of the disease.

rare symptoms

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is often disguised as other pathology, causing their symptoms. This complicates the diagnosis and often leads to inadequate treatment.

Atypical manifestations of the disease are very diverse:

• symptoms of ischemia, heart attack, heart attack (ECG or other tests should be done for differential diagnosis);
• Pain reminds of breast diseases in women: To exclude the presence of neoplasm, you must be examined by a mammologist;
• pain such as gastritis, colitis, stomach or intestinal ulcers, hepatitis - to exclude these diseases, a diagnosis is determined by a gastroenterologist;
• Similar poximal back pain for kidney disease or other diseases of the urinary system.

Urinary disorders and reproductive system disorders are also possible. Women have anorgasmia, painful and heavy menstruation (menorrhagia), and sometimes infertility. Men suffer from erectile dysfunction. Doctors always know the exact cause of these malformations. Do not manage to find, and therefore treatment of reproductive diseases does not give positive mobility.

Sometimes with osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, increased pressure, toothache and headache, sleep disturbances, tinnitus are observed. Psychoanalytic disorders are not excluded - irritability, depression, disturbance, anxiety.

diagnosis, therapy and prevention

A range of

external examination, synergy, and speed tests are performed to detect the disease. It is important to explore in detail the duration of symptoms, their nature, and the concomitant manifestations of the disease.

The following procedures are defined:

• X-ray of the spine;
• MRI, CT and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity (if necessary);
• blood and urine test;
• myelography;
• ECG (to exclude cardiac pathology).

Once diagnosed, a treatment regimen is developed. There is no single protocol for the treatment of osteochondrosis: health procedures depend on the patient's condition, age, physical condition, and the state of the immune system.

The main goal of treatment is to reduce the consequences of degenerative processes in cartilage tissue and prevent the development of complications. Therapy is usually outpatient, with the exception of particularly severe clinical conditions. Mostly conservative medical practiceIs practiced.

medicine

Medications are prescribed only for severe pain syndromes and inflammatory processes. It is better to use drugs as external ointments, less frequently prescribed pills, intramuscular or epidural injections.

The most topical drug type:

• analgesic;
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• muscle relaxants and antispasmodics;
• vitamin complex;
• Steroids.

Experienced physicians will never provide purely drug-based therapy. Once the pain and inflammation subsides, the drug is discontinued.

physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage

These methods play a leading role in the treatment of degenerative diseases of the thoracic spine. These techniques eliminate pain, strengthen ligaments and muscles, blood circulation, restore and stimulate metabolic processes.

Popular Physiotherapy Methods:

• magnetotherapy;
• electro- and phonophoresis;
• laser exposure;
• amplipulus therapy;
• ultrasound treatment;
• paraffin application;
• kinesio taping;
• mud therapy;
• Balanotherapy;
• hypothermia;
• Hirudotherapy, treatment with bee venom.

The main advantage of physiotherapy is its safety. Procedures can be prescribed at any age, with almost any concomitant diseases. A different area of ​​physiotherapy is reflexology (acupuncture). The method is effective, but a professional expertThe presence of is required.

Physiotherapy is an essential stage in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis. Gymnastics strengthens muscle strength, restores normal physiological state of vertebral structures, reduces pressure on nerve endings, and hernias of protrusions and intervertebral discs. Inhibits growth.

Complex exercises should be done regularly and over a long period of time - only in this case they will produce a noticeable therapeutic effect. Ideally, sessions should be conducted under the guidance of an instructor, because any missteps. Movement can hurt and cause pain.

Massage (manual and hardware effects) has the same therapeutic functions as exercise therapy: pain relief, improving blood flow, strengthening the muscles. In addition to the effects of the hands of a specialist, they are used by masseurs, applicants, Practice the use of orthopedic devices.

radical treatment

Surgery for osteochondrosis of the breast is used in modern medical institutions in exceptional cases - when there is a real risk of pinching the spine or there are dangerous protrusions and hernias. Surgical surgery is always an additional risk. Is, therefore intervention is rarely performed and only by experienced surgeons.

prevention

Preventing the disease is much easier than long-term (and sometimes lifelong) therapy. Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot reverse degenerative processes, it can only reduce the results of pathology and acute symptoms. Can do it.

For this reason, the prevention of osteochondrosis should be dealt with in childhood. The barrier to the development of disease is: correct posture, balanced nutrition, the right choice of physical activity and rest, sleep in a comfortable bed. Timely diagnosis andA positive role is played by strict implementation of doctor's recommendations.