How to treat protrusion in the thoracic region

Protrusion of the thoracic spine is a diagnostic feature that characterizes a number of pathological processes occurring in the intervertebral disc. Such a deviation is the initial stage of osteochondrosis, followed by a hernia.

Symptoms of protrusion of the thoracic spine are mild, and about 80% of all people have it, but most are not even aware of it.

Diagnosis is carried out by X-ray or MRI, and this often happens randomly, because this deviation does not show any external signs.

What is protrusion

Protrusion of the intervertebral discs is not a separate disease, but a stage of such a degenerative-dystrophic disorder as osteochondrosis. Given this, the treatment will be carried out in a complex manner, and it is aimed at restoring the balance of nutrients in the intervertebral discs.

In itself, such a violation is not dangerous in any way, but when there is a predisposition to pathologies of the musculoskeletal system or there are various risk factors, the protrusion progresses, which already ends in dangerous conditions.

Why does

Long-term influence of negative factors on the spine in the form of high load, poor nutrition, muscle tension leads to pathological processes in the disc.

Its inner part, namely the nucleus pulposus, consists of collagen fibers and proteoglycans, which retain moisture . These molecules (proteoglycans) provide the main function of the disk - cushioning. If there is a violation of the water balance, this affects the condition of the entire spinal column.

The outer part of the disc is represented by the annulus fibrosus, and it also consists of collagen fibers, but of high strength . Its function will be to maintain the position of the nucleus pulposus and maintain its shape. During protrusion, it is deformed, and over time it may crack, which will lead to the exit of the nucleus. The latter, migrating along the spinal canal, compresses the nerve fibers and roots, and the greatest danger is damage to the spinal cord.

The disk is powered by the absorption of substances from adjacent tissues, mainly muscles. Diffusion occurs only during the movement of the spine, and the lack of activity leads to the failure of this process. Following a metabolic disorder, atrophic processes begin, the intervertebral disc becomes thinner, loses strength, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, which can cause compression of the roots.

If this pathological changes do not stop, protrusion develops. Displaced vertebrae compress the disc, causing it to bulge out of the spinal column.

The protrusion stage ends when the annulus fibrosus ruptures.

Changes in the thoracic region are accompanied by a number of other degenerative processes. The patient may be diagnosed with such concomitant abnormalities as curvature, subluxation, spondylosis and spondyloarthrosis.

How does the violation manifest itself?

Degenerative changes can only be observed during radiography or magnetic resonance imaging. Protrusion is a radiological sign that does not cause unpleasant symptoms. But in almost every case, a violation of the disc is combined with other pathologies of the spine, and then a number of complaints appear.

What phenomena are disturbing in violation of the structure of the disc in the thoracic segment :

• weak pain syndrome;
• discomfort and stiffness in the area of ​​​​the shoulders and shoulder blades;
• muscle weakness, numbness of the skin of the hands;
• increased pain during movement and long-term preservation of one body position;
• intercostal neuralgia;
• tissue swelling.

Methods of treatment

Comprehensive treatment of protrusion in the thoracic spine includes:

• medicinal preparations;
• massage;
• manual therapy;
• exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises);
• diet
• osteopathy;
• physiotherapy procedures.

When starting treatment for protrusion of the thoracic spine, risk factors should be eliminated, that is, those phenomena and conditions that could cause the disease and continue to aggravate it.

About the general rules and restrictions for protrusion of discs in the thoracic region:

• avoid back injuries, blows, pressure on the spine;
• add vitamin food to the diet, take trace elements;
• engage in physiotherapy exercises daily, devoting 20-40 minutes to this;
• give up alcoholic beverages, get rid of the habit of smoking;
• keep your back straight, do not slouch;
• sleep on a hard mattress and orthopedic pillow;
• less time to be in a sitting position.

Pathologies of the spine can lead to dysfunction of internal organs, especially the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. In this regard, the treatment of intervertebral protrusions is combined with the elimination of related health problems and their prevention.

The attending physician refers to other specialists for preventive examination. Patients with spinal pathologies usually need the help of such specialists as a neurologist, gastroenterologist, and nutritionist. After consulting with several doctors, it will become clearer how to treat the spine without harm to other organs and systems.

Folk remedies

Alternative medicine offers the following recipes for protrusion :

1. Aloe juice, comfrey and honey . Comfrey is crushed, mixed with a glass of honey and three tablespoons of aloe juice. The mixture is stored in the refrigerator. The remedy is taken orally in a tablespoon on an empty stomach for 14 days. The course of treatment is repeated after 2 weeks.
2. Kashitsa of garlic . A glass of peeled garlic is crushed and poured with 100 ml of vodka. The remedy is infused for 10 days. The finished mixture is applied in the region of the thoracic back for an hour until a burning sensation appears. The course of treatment continues until the condition improves.
3. N astoy ka John's wort . A glass of the plant is poured with 200 ml of vodka, the mixture is infused for a week. The finished product is used to rub the back before going to bed. The procedure can be repeated every evening for a month.

Medical therapy

It is necessary to treat protrusion with the use of drugs for oral administration and topical application. The main groups of drugs to improve the condition of the intervertebral disc are NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, antispasmodics, chondroprotectors, painkillers.

Which medicines be useful in the pathology of the disk in the thoracic region :

• X ondrosamine  - chondroprotector, stimulates the growth of cartilage tissue, improves the regeneration of damaged structures;
• Glucosamine - a chondroprotector, activates metabolic processes, improving the nutrition of a diseased disc ;
• Amedial  is a new generation combined chondroprotector;
• D melt  - affects the metabolic processes in the bone and cartilage tissue;
• X ondromax  - chondroprotector, slows down the aging process of cartilage, helps to restore a diseased disc;
• K arbamazepine  - anticonvulsant, eliminates pain of neuropathic origin;
• And ktovegin  - the drug improves peripheral blood flow;
• M idocalm  - injections and tablets eliminate muscle spasm and anesthetize;
• B vitamins - normalize the work of the nervous system, restore the conductivity of the nerves.

In parallel with pathogenetic treatment, symptomatic therapy is also carried out. For this, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed in combination with chondroprotectors (Diclofenac and Chonroitin).

With long-term drug therapy, the patient is also shown drugs to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (Gastal, Maalox).

Massage and physical education

Physical activity is recommended for all patients with spinal pathologies, but only during the period of subsiding of the symptomatic complex, and when there are no complications.

An exemplary set of exercises for protrusion of the thoracic discs :

1. Standing, arms lowered, legs brought together. As you exhale, raise your arms up, bending your back back. While inhaling, return to the starting position, then slowly bend forward. Repeat 10-15 times.
2. Sitting on a chair, hands behind the head, the spine is in contact with the back. Slowly bend back, lowering your head. Repeat 5-7 times.
3. I'm on all fours. Bend your back, throwing your head back. Hold in one position for up to 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat 5-7 times.
4. Lying on your stomach, palms turned to the floor. Leaning on your hands, raise your torso, bending back as much as possible. Repeat 3-5 times.
5. Lying on your back, legs extended. Raise your head and shoulders. Stay in one position for 5-10 seconds. Repeat until fatigue appears.

Therapeutic massage for protrusion is prescribed by a doctor and performed by a professional. The course usually consists of 10-20 procedures, which are carried out at intervals of 2-3 days.

Between massage sessions, the patient may be advised to undergo manual therapy in parallel. The latter will be effective in the displacement of the vertebrae and muscle spasm. Manual therapy involves a gentle effect on the spine, and the implementation by a professional eliminates any risks.

Complications

Without the above treatment, protrusion of the discs of the thoracic spine can result in a number of pathologies. At the same time, it is important to understand that it is impossible to completely cure this disease, because this is a disease with irreversible disorders. Therapy is aimed only at slowing down the pathological processes so that the changes do not progress, leading to other disorders.

What can lead to disc protrusion treatment :

• rachiocampsis;
• compression fracture;
• displacement of the vertebrae;
• hernia;
• disk sequestration;
• inflammation and infringement of the nerve roots.

In case of severe pain syndrome, the patient is given anesthesia in the hospital, after which an examination will be scheduled.

Diagnosis includes an MRI or x-ray. In the picture (MRI), the radiologist will be able to examine the tissues in layers, describing all the pathological processes.

When the diagnosis is made, the attending physician will already be able to prescribe drugs and medical procedures. Treatment of the spine is usually a lengthy process, so the patient is regularly examined to assess the effectiveness of therapy and its correction.