Tumor of thoracic spine- This is a degenerative-dystrophic process in the thoracic spine, as a result of which pathological changes occur in the bone and cartilage tissue of the spine, discs, joints and ligaments of the spine are destroyed.
Manifestations of osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine are usually not as acute as those of cervical or lumbar osteosarcoma. The fact is that the thoracic spine is less mobile, the vertebral joints, ribs and sternum form a fairly strong structure, less susceptible to damage from external influences. Therefore, the clinical manifestations of this disease are less likely to lead the patient to the doctor, and as a result this type of osteonecrosis is less common. But it's not. Almost everyone who has had a job that requires them to sit at a desk or drive a car for many years will experience changes in their spine. And when risk factors are present (improper posture, scoliosis, trauma, weak back muscles), thoracic osteonecrosis is practically unavoidable.
Causes of osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine
The cause of pain syndromes in thoracic osteosarcoma, as in other degenerative bone diseases, are pathological changes in the discs (thinning discs due to degeneration of the nucleus pulposus, protrusion of the eye; herniation; herniated discs). discs) and joints of the spine (destruction of the cartilage surface, formation of bone cells).
The result of these changes is compression of the lenticular structures of the spinal nerves (spinal cord disease), spinal cord compression (thoracic compression myelopathy), injury to the spinal cord due to the supply of the spinal cord. Blood is reduced due to clamping, narrowing of the arch arteries. and venous (muscular ischemia due to vascular compression) may occur.
Symptoms of osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine
The main symptoms of osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine are as follows:
- pain in the chest, worse with prolonged stay in one position and with exertion;
- dull pain in the intercostal space;
- pain when raising the right or left arm;
- soreness with tilting movements of the body, with rotational movements of the upper body;
- pain increases with deep inhalation and exhalation;
- pain in the intercostal spaces that occurs when walking;
- feeling of pressure in the chest or back (as if there is a hoop);
Signs of thoracic osteonecrosis may also be:
- feeling like ants crawling all over the body, numbness in some areas of the skin;
- itching, burning and coldness of the lower extremities;
- increased fragility of the nails and peeling of the skin (a sign of a vascular disorder);
- Unprovoked disorders of the gastrointestinal tract: constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea.
Symptoms of osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine are often very similar to those of other diseases - namely, angina, myocardial infarction, gastric disease, pneumonia. Therefore, it is very important to perform differential diagnosis using additional laboratory and instrumental testing methods.
Back pain and back pain are manifestations of osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine
Symptoms of thoracic osteonecrosis depend on the extent of the changes and their localization in the spine. Thoracic osteosarcoma is characterized by two vertebral syndromes - low back pain and back pain.
Dorsagois a sudden sharp pain in the thoracic spine. It is often observed in people whose jobs involve prolonged sitting in one position, in an uncomfortable position, performing monotonous monotonous work. Lumbar pain ("low back pain") is an acute pain of "dagger" pain between the shoulder blades. During an attack, the muscles are so tense that breathing can be difficult. In this case, the pain in the thoracic spine may radiate as intercostal neuralgia (along the ribs) toward the sternum, sometimes up to the shoulder blades. These symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack. But unlike the dorsago myocardial infarction, the patient's electrocardiogram was within age limits, and taking nitroglycerin or other similar drugs did not improve the patient's condition. In addition, pain that increases with rotation of the upper body and palpation (palpation) of the thoracic spine in a patient with osteonecrosis can cause pain at the exit site of the spinal nerve (nerve root). ).
Backachebegins gradually, is not easily noticeable, and lasts up to two to three weeks. Visibly indistinct pain in the affected spine and various discomforts are characteristic. Pain is worse when taking a deep breath and leaning forward or to the side. Muscle tension and range of motion limitation in the cervical region (upper back pain) or lumbar-thoracic region (lower back pain) were identified. The phenomenon of muscle spasm is also very obvious, so the patient also has a feeling of lack of air. The discomfort is aggravated by tilting the torso to the side and forward, which limits any movement in adjacent parts of the spine. Pain is often worse at night, after waking up the pain will go away on its own after a short walk. The pain is aggravated by taking a deep breath, forcing the body to stretch.
Distribution: upper back pain, accompanied by cervical pain and lower back pain, including pain in the lumbar region. Back pain can last up to 3 weeks.
This type of back pain must be distinguished from pneumonia, which also has similar symptoms, but they are supplemented by pulmonary symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever.
Other features of the symptoms of osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine
With osteonecrosis of the thoracic region, gastric syndrome is often observed, often identified as a disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The main complaint of patients who often consult a gastroenterologist is pain in the epigastrium, which, as a rule, increases in the afternoon after physical work and subsides (or disappears completely). full) after a night's rest. Its occurrence and intensity are practically unrelated to the seasonality (as is known, in patients with true gastritis, peptic ulcer, autumn and spring rarely without exacerbations). severity), food quality and diet. These features of the manifestation of the syndrome help establish the correct diagnosis.
With osteonecrosis, the discs at the 7-11th vertebral level suffer, the pain - sharp, paroxysmal or dull - spreads to the right hypochondrium. During the attack, patients often come to the hospital with many diagnoses: acute cholecystitis, kidney prolapse, pancreatitis, colitis, urolithiasis. And only the results of a detailed medical examination, can make an accurate diagnosis -osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine.
A vascular disorder from osteonecrosis may be suspected if the reason is unknown, the skin peels off, the fingernails become very brittle, and the feet often feel cold.
Often complications of osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine are due to intercostal neuralgia. Pain along the ribs extending to the sternum. Any movement increases discomfort, including coughing, sneezing, even inhaling. Occasionally, pain may also be felt in the anterior abdominal wall. Intercostal neuralgia due to thoracic osteonecrosis can last from a few hours to several weeks. It can go away on its own without treatment, but then there are long-term relapses. Triggers for such an attack of intercostal neuralgia can be weight lifting, prolonged uncomfortable posture, hypothermia, cold, and stress.
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Treatment of osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine
Medical treatment of osteonecrosis
With osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine, the usual symptomatic treatment is carried out to relieve pain: NSAIDs, analgesics, as well as anesthetic ointments and gels. If necessary, muscle relaxants, antidepressants are prescribed.
At any stage of osteonecrosis, the treatment involves the appointment of chondroprotectors (drugs that restore cartilage tissue), vitamins and minerals (to increase the strength of ligaments and restore the structure of tissues). skeletal).
Drug therapy should be combined with other treatments:
- gymnastics for thoracic osteonecrosis (done daily several times a day);
- physical therapy;
- Massage;
- exercise therapy;
- acupressure (tactile impact on acupuncture points, has a stimulating and calming effect on the body)
- acupuncture (or acupuncture) - the insertion of special needles for therapeutic purposes into biologically active points.
Acupressure and acupuncture help relieve pain, normalize blood pressure, stimulate the immune system.
Exercise therapy for thoracic spondylosis aims to strengthen back muscles, shoulder muscles and respiratory muscles, restore physiological curves of the spine, create correct posture.
Massage helps relieve muscle tension, relieve pain, improve blood supply to disc tissues and nourish cartilage. Massage combined with thoracic spondylosis therapy exercises brings maximum positive effects.
Very good results in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine suggest a therapeutic patch.
Treatment of osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine with patches
Medications prescribed in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the spine, such as NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, . . . Long-term use can be harmful to the body. And in the presence of a number of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, many of these drugs are often contraindicated.
To minimize the side effects of the drug and increase the effectiveness of the treatment of osteonecrosis, a new generation of drugs - the therapeutic analgesic anti-inflammatory patch - will help.
Medical patches have been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of various diseases of the spine, including the treatment of osteonecrosis of the thoracic region. It allows you to relieve pain and inflammation, improve blood circulation in the affected area, and at the same time reduce the dosage of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs.
For the relief of acute symptoms in the treatment of thoracic spondylosis, the medical patch is used for 3 to 5 days. Duration of treatment - from 9 days. The medical patch should usually be applied in the morning for 12 hours, but it is entirely possible to apply it at night.
The high efficacy, unique composition, long-lasting treatment effect (up to 12 hours! ), ease of use and affordable price make the patch the choice of treatment for thoracic spondylolisthesis.