How to identify and treat spondylarthrosis of the thoracic spine?

Spondylarthrosis of the thoracic spine (disastros) is a disease that affects the joints, located between vertebrae. The disease can spread to the facet joints of the segments of the backbone in the thoracic region. Doctors believe that spondylarthrosis of the thoracic spine is a form of osteoarthritis.

the Problem with spondylarthrosis of the thoracic spine

Compared with other forms of spondylarthrosis the disease is less common. Why? Because the thoracic spine is not so flexible. The ribs, which to some extent limit movement, reduce the chances of the emergence of the disease.

at the same time there is another opinion: the low prevalence of disastrosa not associated with what thoracic spine is less mobile. Some doctors claim that this form of disease has a strong character.

causes of disease, risk group

There have Been many studies. Professionals observed patients and concluded: spondylarthrosis of the thoracic spine develops when excessive functional overload.

Diagram of spondylarthrosis

At risk are:

  • older people
  • those who have had injuries, injuries associated with the thoracic spine;
  • athletes professionals
  • persons who are constantly engaged in heavy physical labor;
  • people who have deformed the spine;
  • the workers, on which the back constantly produces static-dynamic loads (in connection with their profession);
  • of the person having problem with obesity (due to excess weight, the spine curves, respectively, the load on it is distributed unequally);
  • people who suffer from flat feet.

If we talk about the causes of disease, we should highlight the most important. It comes to degenerative changes affecting the spine. These changes occur against a background of other diseases, for example, the chondrosis or degenerative disc disease. In both situations decreases the disc height. This leads to the fact that on the surface of the joints increases the pressure. And because of such severe stress that the disease begins as spondylarthrosis of the thoracic spine.

a snapshot Survey with spondylarthrosis of the thoracic spine

Symptoms and diagnosis

What are the signs of this disease? First, the person feels pain during change of body position. For example, when you turn in some direction or lean. But as soon as the man returns back to a state of rest, the pain is gone. It is sometimes sharp or dull pain (interscapular), it appears if the affected nervous system.

If the disease will progress, besides pain in the morning person may feel stiffness.

In most cases, spondylarthrosis has a localized character. It is only when pain in the thoracic spine. However, when the facet joints become inflamed more and more, the formation of osteophytes can cause compression of nerve endings, to develop spinal stenosis. Given this, in the area affected, can be broken sensitivity. Doctors this is called paresthesia.

If the inflammation reaches the level at which there are 5-7 vertebrae, possible functional disorders of the stomach, of the colon. The functioning of the abdominal organs – this is another symptom of spondylarthrosis.

Disastros clinical manifestations similar to other diseases, so it is important to detect. For the diagnosis of diseases using traditional methods: radiography, radioisotope scanning, MRI, CT.

Drug treatment of spondylarthrosis of the thoracic spine

Sometimes during a doctor's examination when he fingers palpate the affected area, the patient feels the pain. This is an indirect symptom of the disease.

therapies

Usually such disease, spondylarthrosis of the thoracic spine, occurs in the chronic form. Until that time, until the disease is detected, it may take quite a long time. Sometimes it takes several years. Therefore it is very important immediately after diagnosis to begin to treat it.

Sometimes, in addition to the main diagnosis the doctor determines related disease (obesity, flat feet, low back pain).

In such cases, comprehensive treatment,to correct the problem, which was developed disastros.

After I was diagnosed with spondylarthrosis of the thoracic spine, the patient is prescribed a complex treatment:

  • conventional therapy, which involves the use of medicines;
  • physiotherapy
  • treatment at the Spa or in the resort;
  • procedures that will helpto unload the spine;
  • procedures that restore the metabolism.

Most importantly, the treatment that is prescribed by the doctor to the patient, was long, comprehensive and correct.