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Osteochondrosis: cervical and thoracic syndromes
Osteochondrosis: cervical and thoracic syndromes
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is slightly different in its manifestations of osteochondrosis other departments. This is due to anatomical features of the spine in this area.
First in the neck a lot of blood vessels and nerves that feed and innervate the tissues of the neck, skull, face. One of the major arteries - vertebral - is being held in the holes of processes of the vertebrae. Therefore, pathological changes in them - the growth of bone and fibrous tissue, the displacement of a vertebra, - invariably lead to disruption of the artery. It can manifest itself persistent headaches and increased fatigue.
Secondly, the very structure varies in different cervical vertebrae, resulting in more than they are in close contact with each other. Therefore, if any, even minor pathological changes in the spine or a high load on it is a violation of the normal functioning of the entire department with depression or displacement of nerves and blood vessels, as well as more frequent than in the lumbar or thoracic, spinal cord compression. The reason for its appearance is usually the vertebral disc herniation - ie its mix of inward toward the spinal canal, where the brain.
A distinctive feature of spinal cord compression in the cervical region is a very large amount of tissue damage and significant loss of function. Thus, there is numbness of the skin and muscles, not only the neck and face, and arms and legs. In the hands and feet also developed paresis of the muscles, with weakness, or even a complete inability of movement. And may cause a feeling of sverbeniya or "passing an electric current" along the arms and legs when bending the neck, indicating that the primary cause of paresis. These disorders occur suddenly, what distinguishes them from tumors of the spine and spinal cord.
Other symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease may be a feeling of numbness or swelling in the tongue, a violation of his movements, pain in the clavicle, weakness and decreased muscle tone of the neck and shoulders. The headaches and pain in the neck area may increase with movement in the neck, or vice versa, during prolonged monotonous her position (in front of the TV screen, after a long sleep, especially in the dense and high-cushion). These symptoms may be unilateral, bilateral and symmetrical.
Another common symptom of cervical degenerative disc disease is a pulling or pressing pain in the left chest and left arm. It mimics angina, however, in contrast, does not go after receiving nitroglycerin. Complications of degenerative disc disease may be arthritis shoulder, elbow, or clavicular joints, in violation of the mobility in them and pain when moving his arms and shoulders.
Thoracic spine, in contrast to the cervical and lumbar, low mobility, there are no conditions for a significant traumatic vertebral discs. Therefore, exercise or other significant effect on the spine rarely cause displacement of the vertebrae or the formation of disc herniation. Typical manifestations of osteochondrosis of the thoracic - is pain along the edges, especially near the places of their attachment to the spine. Along with pain, may cause stiffness and painful nodules in the intercostal muscles.
The treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease is made up of medical and physiotherapy measures. First you want to exclude physical activity and body position, which exacerbate the disease - to limit the time on the computer, change the pad at a low and soft, and the mattress more rigid. Very effective massage courses, not only of the cervical, but at least the back surface of the body and hands, because cervical osteochondrosis is often combined with breast. Of the drugs can be noted by means of chondroitin sulfate, as well as warming and painkillers in the form of ointments.
