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 cannot perform a shock-absorbing function. Discs can become thinner, delaminate and deform. The nucleus pulposus decreases and the depreciation function becomes impossible or minimized 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 functioning of the internal organs and limbs.
Due to the fact that the thoracic region is less mobile in its physiological features than the cervical and thoracic regions, thoracic osteochondrosis occurs much less frequently.
Thoracic osteochondrosis mainly develops in people over the age of 40, but young people and children can also get sick. The cause of the disease can be congenital problems with the spine or poor metabolism.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, which appear at different stages of the development of the disease. What you need to pay attention to in order to diagnose the disease in time and prescribe treatment.
Thoracic osteochondrosis symptoms
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is often confused with other diseases, for which the pathology is called a chameleon.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease that develops slowly and in several stages there are special symptoms that need to be paid attention to in order to diagnose the disease in time and start treatment.
There are 4 stages of the disease, the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis will be different.
1 stage
The first stage of the disease is characterized by internal fissures of the fibrous ring, into which the nucleus pulposus penetrates. 1st degree osteochondrosis can cause the following symptoms:
- Aching pain in the thoracic spine region. This is the first sign that changes are taking place in the body. Chest pain with osteochondrosis affects only the spine area. Unpleasant painful sensations occur after physical exertion, monotonous work or inactivity. Often patients attribute such sensations to general fatigue and overexertion, but in reality - this is an occasion to turn to the doctor for an examination;
- Muscle pulls in the heart region and small convulsive contractions. Since the intervertebral disc has begun to deform, this, as a rule, causes pinching of small nerve endings and blood vessels. The reason for this may be acute shooting pains in the chest or seizures. They quickly pass, but appear after the next load on the spine.
2 stages
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region of the 2nd degree is characterized by the appearance of pathologies in the spine, which cause excessive mobility of the vertebrae. The discs lose their previous structure and shape, each vertebra has the possibility of poorly controlled movement. This condition can cause the following symptoms:
- There are subluxations of the vertebrae in the chest. Subluxations are accompanied by constant pain, as with cold muscles. Temporarily the patient loses the ability to move completely, turn left and right;
- Pain when walking or doing nothing. Pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is aggravated by long walks or reading a book when the body is in one position.
3 stages
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree causes more complex changes in the form of a rupture of the fibrous ring and the exit of the nucleus pulposus, forming intervertebral hernias. These changes cause symptoms:
- Pinched nerve roots. Hernias can cause serious disturbances in the functioning of the body. It all depends on which vertebrae the annulus ruptures. Problems may arise with the work of the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, digestive tract. If a hernia has formed between the 1st and 2nd vertebrae of the thoracic region, the hands and fingers can resist or even hurt.
- Pinching of the spinal cord. Pinching the spinal cord in the spinal canal can lead to irreversible consequences including 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. Chest osteochondrosis can cause pathological changes in the spine in the form of kyphosis or scoliosis. The spine can be deformed in the affected area and become immobile.
4 stages
Symptoms of stage 4 osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine intensify, the patient may bend down, be constantly depressed. The patient is constantly worried about the pain that has been bothering for a long time. The ability to work decreases, fatigue sets in quickly after a little physical effort. Stage 4 osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine causes deviations in the work of internal organs.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in men and women are the same, because as soon as there is one or more manifestations of poor health or pain in the thoracic spine, it is necessary to seek help from a specialist.
What can cause the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. What moments in a person's life should be paid attention to in order 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 exercise, as a result of which the muscles and ligaments that support the work of the thoracic region are weakened, and the spine experiences increased load.
But in addition to poor physical fitness, the reasons can be:
- Hereditary and congenital problems with the spine. Problems with the spine can come from birth. The birth trauma of the child (difficult delivery or medical errors) and the genetic predisposition to the pathology contribute to the onset of the disease. If the parents had osteochondrosis, under favorable conditions, the child can also develop this disease.
- Wrong posture. Posture must 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 about correct posture. Chest osteochondrosis is formed if you do not pay attention to the position of the spine while working, walking, reading and simply sitting at the computer. It is important to always keep your back straight, do not lean forward or backward when walking, avoid long poses in a bent position. How to maintain correct posture, you can ask on the Internet for resources by viewing training photos.
- Nervous effort. Nervous strains always have a negative effect on people's health and can cause serious illness. Stressful situations can cause muscle stiffness and poor metabolism. Therefore, it is worthwhile to reconsider your attitude to certain aspects of life and protect yourself as much as possible from provoking factors.
- Traumatic injuries. Back and chest injuries can cause osteochondrosis. It is important to treat even minor injuries in time, not allowing self-treatment, but always consulting with specialists.
- Wear heavy weights and high heels. It is known that every inch of heel places a load on the spine of 7 to 10 kilograms. If a woman already has a predisposition to diseases of the spine, 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 gestation the load on the spine is very large and irregular. After giving birth, new mothers should visit a doctor and undergo a spine exam to prevent the condition from developing over time.
- Metabolic disease. Degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs are most often caused by a lack of nutrients, which is caused by a violation of metabolic processes. To normalize the metabolism, you must first consult a doctor and find out what is the cause of such ailments.
- Infections and hypothermia. Untimely treatment of infectious diseases in the body can be poorly visualized not only on the thoracic spine, but also on the work of other vital organs. Hypothermia can cause inflammation of the nerve roots and muscles that support the work of the thoracic birth of the spine.
What methods are used to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. What needs to be done to relieve symptoms and cure the disease.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be carried out exclusively under the supervision of an experienced specialist after a comprehensive examination and diagnosis of the degree of development of the disease.
The symptoms and treatment osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is determined by a neuropathologist, in extreme cases, a surgeon and a neurosurgeon join the treatment.
To treat the disease more effectively and quickly in the early stages, but for this it is necessary to consult a doctor in time. It is important to understand that the longer the pathology develops, the more consequences will have to be eliminated and this will affect the financial costs and timing of treatment.
With timely access to specialists, it is possible to avoid spinal deformity with the help of vitamins and physical activity. To do this, the doctor will issue a special booklet, in which the photo will show all the exercises. It is important to immediately consider the photo and ask the doctor all questions related to the correct execution. The first session is best done under the supervision of a doctor.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the breast with drugs
First of all, after diagnosing the disease, the doctor prescribes a treatment that removes the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.
First, the neuropathologist removes the pain syndrome with the help of drugs, then proceeds to direct treatment.
Drugs used for osteochondrosis:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. With the help of anti-inflammatory drugs, pain in the chest region is relieved.
- Diuretics. Diuretic drugs are prescribed in the event that there is swelling of the nerve roots. Diuretics relieve swelling, thereby improving blood supply to the affected areas.
- Vitamins for the nutrition of the nervous tissue.
- Chondroprotectors. With the help of chondroprotectors, they try to restore the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.
- Antispasmodics relieve spasms from tense muscles and increase the mobility of the thoracic region, thereby reducing pain syndromes.
Symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis do not always bring a positive result, therefore, if drug therapy did not affect, the doctor will offer a surgical solution to the problem.
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is an effective method of dealing with the disease.
This is due to the fact that during such procedures, drugs are injected exclusively into the affected areas of the spine.
With the help of physiotherapy, pain, inflammation and tension in the muscle mass and ligaments are relieved.
Physiotherapy sessions should only be performed by an experienced physiotherapist. Correctly 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 tone the muscles and restore them to their former functions. Needles are placed strictly according to the growth 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 stiffness of the muscle fibers. In a specially trained master, acupuncture will be painless and restore muscle tone in a short time.