The vertebral column of any healthy person has the shape of the letter S. At the same time, physiological curves should not be too significant. If the first angle of the deflection of the spine is greatly increased, it is suspected that the cause was thoracic kyphosis. This leads to squeezing the vertebrae and reducing the volume of the chest cavity.
Symptoms
Kyphosis of the thoracic region can be identified by the following features:
- gibbosity;
- The shoulders are tilted forward and lowered downwards;
- it is difficult to straighten up without throwing your head back.
Effects
Thoracic kyphosis is a progressive disease. If there is no necessary treatment, it leads to complications:
- vertebrae in the thoracic region are deformed;
- intervertebral disks collapse;
- slowing the development of cartilaginous tissue;
- there is a jamming of the nerve roots;
- the functions of the muscles of the back and intercostal muscles are impaired;
- difficulty breathing.
Causes
The most common reason for the appearance of the thoracic kyphosis is spine trauma.
Also to this disease lead:
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Incorrect posture.
- Unsuccessful operations on the spine.
- Osteochondrosis.
- Paralysis of the muscles of the thoracic spine.
Kyphosis of the thoracic spine - treatment
Stop the course of the disease can be through conservative methods of treatment or surgical.
Conservative treatment includes a set of procedures aimed at strengthening the muscles of the back and gradually giving the spine the right form. The following events are scheduled:
- attendance of physiotherapy;
- exercises exercise therapy;
- massotherapy;
- taking medications;
- use of special corsets.
Operative treatment
If conservative therapy and medication did not help, stopping kyphosis will help the operation. Surgical intervention is indicated in cases where the curvature leads to a strong squeezing of the nerve roots of the spinal cord. In addition, the appointment of an operation is necessary for significant violations in the work of the heart and lungs due to rapid progression of the disease.
Kyphosis of the thoracic spine - LFK
Physiotherapy is one of the most important measures for the treatment of kyphosis. Performing gymnastics is necessary both under the supervision of health workers, and daily at home. Specially designed for the treatment of thoracic kyphosis exercises help to strengthen the muscles and acquire the correct posture.
Kyphosis of the thoracic spine - exercises:
1. With a gymnastic stick, option 1:
- the starting position: lying on the stomach, on the floor;
- Hold the gymnastic stick with both hands at the level of the shoulder blades;
- not letting go of the stick to bend back and return to the starting position.
2. With a gymnastic stick, option 2:
- starting position: feet shoulder width apart;
- press the gymnastic stick with your hands to the shoulder blades;
- sit down on exhalation, stand on the breath.
3. Crawling:
- starting position: on all fours, on the floor;
- raise your head and bend down your chest;
- take your elbows to the sides;
- crawl about 50 steps in this position.
4. Deflections:
- the starting position: lying on the stomach, on the floor;
- Keep hands on the shoulders;
- on an inspiration to throw back his head;
- maximally lift the chest from the floor, return to the starting position.
Degrees of kyphosis
There are three stages of the disease, which are classified according to what angle of curvature of the spine is due to kyphosis:
- Easy kyphosis (I degree). The angle is not more than 30 degrees.
- Moderate kyphosis (grade II). The angle is in the range of 30 to 60 degrees.
- Heavy kyphosis (grade III). Angle exceeds 60 degrees.