Thoracic osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the spine in humans, affecting the intervertebral discs and causing degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine.
With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and can not perform a shock-absorbing function. Discs can become thinner, peel off and deform. The pulp nucleus shrinks and the damping function becomes weak or reduced to a minimum and the fibrous ring loses its elasticity and gradually collapses, which can lead to the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
Thoracic osteochondrosis causes displacement of the vertebrae and pinching of the nerve roots, which affects the function of the internal organs and limbs.
Due to the fact that the thoracic region is less mobile in terms of its normal characteristics than the cervical and thoracic regions, thoracic osteochondrosis occurs much less frequently.
Chest osteochondrosis mainly develops in people over the age of 40, but also young people and children can get sick. The cause of the disease can be congenital problems in the spine or poor metabolism.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, which appear at different stages of the disease. What to look out for in order to diagnose the disease early and prescribe treatment.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is often confused with other diseases, for which the pathology is called chameleon.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease that develops slowly and at different stages there are special symptoms that you must watch out for in order to diagnose the disease in time and start treatment.
There are 4 stages of the disease, the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis will vary.
1 stage
The first stage of the disease is characterized by internal cracks in the fibrous ring, into which the pulpal nucleus penetrates. Grade 1 osteochondrosis can cause the following symptoms:
- Painful pain in the area of the thoracic spine. This is the first sign that changes are taking place in the body. Chest pain with osteochondrosis only affects the area of the spine. Unpleasant sensations of pain appear after physical exercise, monotonous work or inactivity. Often, patients attribute such sensations to general fatigue and overexertion, but in reality - this is an opportunity to turn to the doctor for examination.
- Muscle spasms in the heart area and small spasmodic contractions. As the intervertebral disc begins to deform, this usually causes pinching of small nerve endings and blood vessels. The reason for this may be sudden chest pains or convulsions. They pass quickly, but appear after the next load on the spine.
2 stage
Grade 2 osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is characterized by the appearance of pathologies in the spine, which causes excessive mobility of the vertebrae. The discs lose their previous structure and shape, each vertebra has the ability of poorly controlled movement. This condition can cause the following symptoms:
- There are subluxations of the vertebrae in the chest. Hip dislocations are accompanied by constant pain, as in cold muscles. The patient temporarily loses the ability to move fully, to turn right and left.
- Pain when you walk or do nothing. The pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is aggravated by long walks or while reading a book when the body is in one position.
3 stage
Grade 3 thoracic osteochondrosis causes more complex changes in the form of rupture of the fibrous ring and exit of the pulpal nucleus, forming intervertebral hernias. These changes cause symptoms:
- Stinging nerve roots. Hernias can cause serious disorders in the functioning of the body. It all depends on which vertebrae the ring will break. Problems can arise with the work of the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, digestive system. If a hernia has developed between the 1st and 2nd vertebrae of the chest area, then the hands and fingers may be sore or even sore.
- Spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injury in the spinal canal can lead to irreversible consequences up to disability.
- Muscle tension in the chest. Pathological processes in the spine cause constant tension in the muscles and ligaments that support the mobility of the thoracic region.
- The development of kyphosis or scoliosis. Osteochondrosis of the thorax can cause pathological changes in the spine in the form of kyphosis or scoliosis. The spine can become deformed in the affected area and become immobile.
4 stage
The symptoms of stage 4 osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine intensify, the patient may bend over, be constantly depressed. The patient is constantly worried about pain that bothers him for a long time. The ability to work decreases, fatigue appears quickly after a little physical effort. Stage 4 osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine causes deviations in the work of internal organs.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis in men and women are the same, because as soon as one or more manifestations of ill health or pain appear in the thoracic spine, you should seek help from a specialist.
What can cause the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. At what times in a person's life should attention be paid to avoid the symptoms and treatment of this dangerous disease.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The main reason for the development of pathology is the lack of physical exercise, due to which the muscles and ligaments that support the work of the thoracic region weaken and the spine is under increased load.
But in addition to poor physical condition, the reasons may be:
- Hereditary and congenital problems with the spine. Problems with the spine can be from birth. Birth trauma of the baby (difficult childbirth or medical errors) and genetic predisposition to pathology contribute to the onset of the disease. If the parents had osteochondrosis, then under favorable conditions, the child may also develop this disease.
- Wrong attitude. Posture should be monitored from an early age. School-age children may be prone to scoliosis, which will later develop into osteochondrosis and other changes in the spine. Adults should also not forget the correct posture. Osteochondrosis of the chest forms if you do not pay attention to the position of the spine while working, walking, reading and just sitting at the computer. It is important to always keep your back straight, not leaning forward or backward when walking, to avoid long stands in a bent position. How to properly maintain your posture, you can ask in the Internet resources by viewing the photos of the training.
- Nerve strain. Nervous stress always has a detrimental effect on human health and can cause serious illness. Stressful situations can cause muscle stiffness and poor metabolism. Therefore, it is worth reconsidering your attitude in certain aspects of life and protecting yourself from provocative factors to the maximum.
- Traumatic injuries. Injuries to the back and chest can cause osteochondrosis. It is important to treat even minor injuries in a timely manner, without allowing self-medication, but always consulting specialists.
- Wearing heavy weights and high heels. It is known that every inch of heels burdens the spine from 7 to 10 kg. If a woman is already predisposed to diseases of the spine, then high-heeled shoes should be abandoned or the use of such shoes should be minimized. Pregnant women are at risk, because in the last months of pregnancy, the load on the spine is very large and uneven. After childbirth, newborn mothers should visit a doctor and have a spine examination to prevent the development of pathology in time.
- Metabolic disease. Degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs are very often caused by a lack of nutrients, which is caused by a violation of metabolic processes. To normalize your metabolism, you should first consult a doctor and find out what is the cause of such disorders.
- Infections and hypothermia. Untimely treatment of infectious diseases in the body can occur badly not only in the thoracic spine, but also in the work of other vital organs. Hypothermia can cause inflammation of the nerve roots and muscles that support the work of the thoracic spine.
What methods are used to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. What should be done to relieve the symptoms and treat the disease.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be performed exclusively under the supervision of an experienced specialist after a thorough examination and diagnosis of the degree of development of the disease.
The symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are determined by a neurologist, in extreme cases, a surgeon and a neurosurgeon participate in the treatment.
To treat the disease more effectively and quickly in the early stages, but for this you should consult a doctor in time. It is important to understand that the more the pathology develops, the more consequences will have to be eliminated and this will affect the financial cost and treatment time.
With timely access to specialists, it is possible to avoid deformity of the spine with the help of vitamins and physical activity. To do this, the doctor will issue a special booklet, where the photo will show all the exercises. It is important to look at the photo right away and ask your doctor all the questions about proper execution. The first session is best done under a doctor's supervision.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the breast with drugs
First of all, after the diagnosis of the disease, the doctor prescribes a treatment that removes the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Initially, the neurologist removes the pain syndrome with the help of medication and then proceeds to immediate treatment.
Drugs used for osteochondrosis:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. With the help of anti-inflammatory drugs, the pain in the chest area is relieved.
- Diuretics. Diuretics are prescribed in case there is swelling at the nerve roots. Diuretics relieve swelling, thus improving blood supply to the affected areas.
- Vitamins for the nutrition of the nervous tissue.
- Chondroprotective. With the help of chondroprotectors they try to restore the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.
- Anticonvulsants relieve spasms of tense muscles and increase the mobility of the chest area, thus reducing pain syndromes.
The symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis do not always bring a positive result, therefore, if the medication has not worked, then the doctor will offer a surgical solution to the problem.
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the chest area
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is an effective method of treating the disease.
This is because during such procedures, the drugs are injected exclusively into the affected areas of the spine.
Physiotherapy relieves pain, inflammation and tension in muscle mass and joints.
Physiotherapy sessions should only be performed by an experienced physiotherapist. Properly performed procedures will bring the desired result and speed up the healing process.
Acupuncture for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
This Chinese method of treating many diseases is based on the introduction of special needles into the affected areas.
Through acupuncture they stimulate the muscles and restore them to their previous functions. The needles are inserted strictly according to the development of certain muscles, so you should not do this procedure at home, guided by a photo or video from the Internet.
The number of procedures is determined by the specialist, based on the degree of tightness of the muscle fibers. In a specially trained teacher, acupuncture will be painless and will restore muscle tone in a short time.