Thoracic osteochondrosis is a chronic disease of the spine accompanied by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs.
The thoracic spine is less affected by osteochondrosis than the cervical and lumbar spine. This is explained by the fact that it is relatively passive, stable and well strengthened by the muscle corset. Its complications are even rarer - protrusion and discHerniation.
However, the disease presents with widespread symptoms that significantly reduce the quality of life and therefore requires treatment. The use of medications only alleviates the symptoms and provides a temporary effect that prevents the development of the disease. Does not affect.
To reliably eliminate the symptoms, you need to influence the cause of the development of degenerative processes in the disc. For this purpose, the clinic uses complex therapy, which gives a positive result in more than 90% of cases. . It includes the methods of oriental reflexology and physiotherapy - acupressure, acupuncture, moxotherapy and other therapeutic procedures.
symptoms, signs
With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs flatten and the vertebrae come together, compressing the spinal nerve roots. This causes pain between the shoulder blades (usually described as a sticking stake). Is).
Pain syndrome in thoracic osteochondrosis can be acute, acute or chronic, moderate.
In the first case, the intense pain occurs suddenly and is called dorsago. In the second case, the pain is felt continuously, it has the characteristic of aching pain and is called dorsago.
Irritation from the buried root spreads along the nerve, spreads into the chest and causes intercostal neuralgia – stabbing, cutting or burning pain in the chest, which is accompanied by breathing, moving, coughing, sneezing, laughingBecomes faster.
Another characteristic symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis is pain in the heart area, which is accompanied by symptoms of cardioneurosis - palpitations, heart palpitations, increased heart rate.
Compression of the nerve root can lead to infection, numbness, weakness of the hand, feeling of coldness in the hand, cyanosis (blue discoloration) or withering of the skin, etc. These symptoms are usually one-sided.
Pain in osteochondrosis can also spread to the shoulder, under the shoulder blade, and to the forearm.
Other symptoms of the disease are stiffness, tension in the back, paravertebral area, shoulders, numbness in the cervical-collar area, difficulty in breathing, feeling of a lump in the chest.
The nerves emerging from the spinal cord in the thoracic region play an important role in the functioning of the entire body. Therefore, symptoms of osteochondrosis can occur in areas seemingly unrelated to the spine. This is why it is called a "chameleon disease. "
These symptoms include:
- heartburn, swelling,
- loss of appetite, nausea,
- indigestion (dyspepsia),
- cough,
- Diffidence,
- numbness of the body,
- pain in the right hypochondrium,
- discomfort in the stomach,
- to sweat
In addition, thoracic osteochondrosis is manifested by impaired blood supply to the brain - headache, pressure instability, dizziness, instability of gait and loss of coordination.
Reasons, stages of development
The main role in the development of the disease is played by muscle spasms and tension (hypertonicity) of the back muscles. These spasms occur during a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, or prolonged stay in a static, uncomfortable position (e. g. for example, at the office desk or while driving).
On the other hand, monotonous, difficult physical work also provokes the occurrence of frequent muscle spasms of the back (for example, working with raised arms).
Muscle spasms hinder circulation and restrict blood flow to the spinal cord. This impairs nutrition of the intervertebral discs.
Intervertebral discs are shock-absorbing pads of connective tissue found between the vertebrae. At the center of each disc is a pulpy, semi-fluid nucleus that contains a lot of moisture. Water provides resistance to load and resistance to compression. Is.
The outer perimeter of each disc is reinforced with a tough fibrous ring. The connective tissue of the disc is composed primarily of collagen – this substance is synthesized in the body and is constantly used in joints, intervertebral discs and other connective, cartilaginous tissues. Must be supplied for their continued regeneration.
Muscle spasms hinder blood flow, resulting in not enough collagen reaching the discs for normal tissue repair. The lack of oxygen slows down metabolic processes.
As a result of metabolic disturbances, tissue renewal of the intervertebral discs slows down, and their wear accelerates. This leads to dystrophy and degenerative changes - the discs become dehydrated, rupture, dry out, flattenAnd loses its shock-absorbing properties and elasticity.
Spasms of the back muscles are the main cause of excess stress on the spinal cord in the thoracic region. If the intervertebral discs in the cervical region are pressed by the weight of the head, which increases with incorrect posture, and the lumbar region by the weight of the bodywhich increases with excess weight, muscle spasms in the thoracic region play an extraordinary role in the development of the disease. These spasms not only hinder blood flow, but also tighten the spinal cord and compress the intervertebral discs both day and night. Intervertebral discs are practically deprived of the opportunity not only for cellular renewal, but also for simple rest. And are also deprived of the opportunity for recovery. Therefore, the first thing a doctor should do when treating thoracic osteochondrosis is to relax the tense muscles of the back, eliminate muscle spasms and hypertonicity. Without this effective treatment of the diseaseTreatment is impossible.
Due to flattening of the intervertebral discs, the spaces between the vertebrae become smaller, the vertebrae come closer to each other and the nerve roots get compressed. This causes pain, which causes muscle spasms and increases pressure on the discs. . Therefore, with the appearance of pain, the development of the disease, as a rule, accelerates.
These degenerative-dystrophic changes correspond to the first stage of osteochondrosis.
Important!
In old age, thoracic osteochondrosis usually develops against the background of general dehydration and metabolic disorders in the body. This, in particular, is manifested by a decrease in height in older people, which is caused by thinning of the intervertebral discs. .
In the second stage, the outer fibrous ring becomes fibrous. Its tissues become loose, weak and it becomes unable to sustain the internal load. As a result, a bulge (usually local) of the disc occurs in the form of a bulge. Is.
Bulges directed towards the spine are called dorsal. Bulges directed towards the side are called lateral. The rarest case is a uniform protrusion of the disc along the entire circumference.
The presence of bulges usually increases the pain. An X-ray image clearly shows a decrease in the height of the gap between the vertebrae, as well as osteophytes - bone growths. Are formed along the edges of the vertebrae as the intervertebral discs encounter them less and less.
In the third stage of the disease, the fibrous ring of the disc cannot withstand the internal pressure and ruptures. Through the resulting gap, part of the nucleus pulposus of the disc is squeezed - an intervertebral hernia occurs.
At the fourth stage of the disease, the range of motion in the back sharply decreases, the pain syndrome becomes constant, and a complex picture of neurological disorders develops.
diagnosis
At the initial appointment, the doctor asks the patient about the symptoms, the circumstances of their occurrence, studies the medical history, conducts an external examination, pays attention to posture, detects spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis). Pays attention to presence or absence.
The cause of pain syndrome (dorsago, dorsalgia) can be both osteochondrosis and vertebral displacement (spondylolisthesis), ankylosing spondyloarthrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is usually accompanied by tension in the back muscles and hypertonicity of the spinal muscles. The doctor performs palpation and uses gradual pressure to find pain (trigger) points corresponding to the centers of muscle spasm.
To get more detailed information, doctors recommend getting an X-ray or MRI.
X-ray for thoracic osteochondrosis provides the most general information – it helps to differentiate the disease from spondylolisthesis, visualize osteophytes, and narrow the gaps between the vertebrae.
Magnetic resonance imaging better shows soft, connective tissue. With its help, the doctor can examine the structure of the intervertebral disc in detail, see protrusion, hernia (its size, location, shape), as well as ligaments, The condition of the intervertebral joints, blood vessels, nerve roots and so on can also be seen. See Spinal stenosis (or risk of it).
Based on the MRI data, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes an individual treatment plan.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
drug treatment
To relieve back pain and intercostal neuralgia in thoracic osteochondrosis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of ointments, tablets or injections can be used. The main effect of these drugs is anti-inflammatory, so they are used in those casesAppropriate where a compressed nerve root is accompanied by its inflammation, i. e. with thoracic radiculitis. NSAIDs also reduce the swelling of muscle tissue against the background of cramps and persistent hypertension.
In case of acute pain syndrome, paravertebral or epidural blockade can be used - an injection of an analgesic. In the first case, the injection is made in the place where the nerve root is pressed, in the second case, the periosteum of the vertebra. And in the area between the membranes of the spinal cord.
Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics are used to relieve muscle tension and reduce pressure on nerve roots, blood vessels and intervertebral discs.
Vitamin complexes are prescribed to nourish nerve tissues and prevent their atrophy.
To slow down the process of destruction of connective tissues, chondroprotectors may be prescribed.
These drugs have a symptomatic effect and can slow down the development of the disease to some extent, but in general they have almost no effect on the process of degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs.
non-drug treatment
Non-drug treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis includes physiotherapy, reflexology and physical therapy methods.
The main goals of treatment are relief from the inflammatory process, improvement of blood circulation and restoration of metabolic processes in the spinal discs, stimulation of cellular renewal of connective tissues. The clinic uses complex therapy using oriental medicine methods for this purpose. Is.
Important!
Physiotherapy exercises help to form and strengthen the muscle corset, eliminate unreasonable loads on the spine, and serve as prevention of the formation of muscle congestion and spasms.
Surgery
For large hernias, especially dorsal, with the threat of spinal stenosis, and especially if it is present, a surgical operation – discectomy – may be indicated.
A portion of the disc is removed or the entire disc is removed and replaced with a prosthesis. Despite the fact that discectomy is a common type of surgical intervention, operations on the thoracic region are rarely performed.
treatment in clinic
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in the clinic is carried out in complex sessions, which include several procedures - acupuncture, acupressure, moxotherapy, stone therapy, vacuum therapy, hirudotherapy for individual indications.
High efficiency is achieved by synergy of individual methods and elimination of the cause of the disease.
- Accupressure. By applying forceful pressure to the trigger points of the back, the doctor eliminates muscle spasms, tension, congestion, improves blood circulation and restores uninterrupted blood flow to the spinal cord. Thanks to this, the load on the intervertebral disc is reduced. The process of metabolism and tissue regeneration is accelerated as the flow of oxygen and collagen increases.
- Acupuncture. By inserting needles into bioactive points of the back, legs, arms, head, chest, the symptoms associated with impaired innervation are eliminated - numbness, weakness in the arm. With the help of this procedure, intercostal neuralgia and other vertebrogenic pain are relieved. In addition, acupuncture enhances the effect of acupressure and has anti-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Moxibustion therapy. Heating of bioactive points in the spinal cord area is carried out with a smoldering wormwood cigar. This procedure activates metabolic processes, increases blood flow to the intervertebral discs, stimulating and accelerating their recovery.
- Vacuum therapy. Cupping Massage and cupping creates blood flow and helps improve blood circulation.
- Manual treatment. Using gentle traction of the spinal cord, the doctor opens the intervertebral discs, increasing the distance between the vertebrae, freeing compressed nerve roots, relieving pain, and increasing movement in the back. Increases the limit.
Gentle traction, or traction, is the only manual therapy technique indicated for thoracic osteochondrosis. Before starting, the doctor must completely relax the back muscles, eliminate spasm and free the spine. To do thisThe muscles are thoroughly warmed up and relaxed through massage. If this is not done, physical effort can lead to injuries - breaks, sprains or fractures. Hardware methods of spinal traction for osteochondrosis ineffectiveAnd also dangerous, so they are not used in the clinic.
hirudotherapy
Applying medicinal leeches improves local blood circulation, blood supply to the intervertebral discs and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
stonetherapy
Smooth stones heated to a certain temperature are placed along the spine to deeply warm and relax the spinal muscles, improve blood circulation and stimulate blood flow.
Depending on individual indications, the duration of treatment sessions in the clinic is 1-1. Is 5 hours. The treatment course usually includes 10-15 complex sessions. Upon completion, a control MRI is performed to evaluate the treatment results achieved.
Complications
The main complication of thoracic osteochondrosis is spinal stenosis due to herniated discs with the development of paralysis of the body.
Other possible complications are associated with disruption of the innervation of the body due to compression of the spinal nerve roots: the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, heart and reproductive system.
prevention
To prevent the development of thoracic osteochondrosis, you should avoid a sedentary lifestyle and monitor your posture.
Important!
If a child or adolescent has scoliosis, it is advisable to treat the disease without expecting it to resolve on its own. Lateral curvature of the spine results in increasing pain but can persist throughout lifeIs.
In this case, constant muscle tension and spasm will be inevitable, which in turn will lead to the development of osteochondrosis and possibly its complications. And this is in addition to the fact that scoliosis itself is fraught with complications of the respiratory, digestive and cardiovascular systems.