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 no longer perform a shock-absorbing function. Discs can thin, delaminate, and warp. The nucleus pulposus decreases and the depreciation function becomes impossible 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 nerve roots, which affects the functioning of internal organs and limbs.
Due to the fact that the thoracic region is less mobile in its physiological properties than the cervical and thoracic regions, osteochondrosis of the thorax occurs much less often.
Thoracic osteochondrosis develops mainly in people over 40 years old, 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 time to diagnose the disease and prescribe treatment.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the chest 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 need to pay attention to in order to timely diagnose the disease and start treatment.
There are 4 stages of the disease, the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis will be different.
1st stage
The first stage of the disease is characterized by internal tears of the fibrous ring, into which the nucleus pulposus penetrates. First degree osteochondrosis can cause the following symptoms:
- Drawing pain in the region of the thoracic spine. This is the first sign that changes are taking place in the body. Pain in the chest with osteochondrosis affects only the area of \u200b\u200bthe spine. Uncomfortable pain occurs after physical exertion, monotonous work or inactivity. Often patients attribute such sensations to general fatigue and overwork, but in fact - this is an opportunity to turn to the doctor for examination;
- Muscle twitching in the region of the heart and small spasmodic contractions. As the disc began to deform, this usually leads to pinching of small nerve endings and blood vessels. The reason for this can be stabbing pains in the chest or cramps. They pass quickly, but appear after the next load on the spine.
2 steps
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region of the 2nd degree is characterized by the appearance in the spine of pathologies that cause excessive mobility of the vertebrae. The intervertebral discs lose their previous structure and shape, each vertebra gets the opportunity for 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, like cold muscles. Temporarily, the patient loses the ability to fully move, turn right and left;
- 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 steps
Third-degree thoracic osteochondrosis causes more complex changes in the form of rupture of the fibrous ring and leakage of the nucleus pulposus, resulting in intervertebral hernias. These changes cause symptoms:
- Pinched nerve roots. Hernias can cause serious dysfunction of the body. It all depends on which vertebrae the ring tears between. Problems can arise in the work of the kidneys, liver, gallbladder and digestive tract. If a hernia has formed between the 1st and 2nd vertebrae of the chest region, then hands and fingers can endure 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. Osteochondrosis of the thorax can cause pathological changes in the spine in the form of kyphosis or scoliosis. The spine can become deformed and immobile in the affected area.
4 levels
Symptoms of stage 4 osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine intensify, the patient can bend over, be constantly depressed. The patient is constantly worried about pain that bothers for a long time. The ability to work decreases, after little physical exertion, fatigue sets in quickly. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine stage 4 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 in the thoracic spine appear, you need to contact 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 the pathology is the lack of physical exercise, as a result of which the muscles and ligaments that support the work of the chest region weaken, and the spine experiences increased loads.
But in addition to poor physical fitness, the reasons can be:
- Hereditary and congenital problems with the spine. Problems with the spine can be from birth. The baby's birth trauma (difficult birth or medical errors) and genetic predisposition to the pathology contribute to the occurrence of the disease. If the parents had osteochondrosis, then under favorable conditions the child can also develop this disease.
- Wrong posture. Posture needs to be monitored from an early age. School children can be prone to scoliosis, which later develops into osteochondrosis and other spinal changes. Even adults should not forget about correct posture. Osteochondrosis of the chest develops when you do not pay attention to the position of the spine when working, walking, reading and just sitting at the computer. It is important to always keep your back straight, not to lean forward or backward when walking, to avoid long poses in a bent posture. How to properly maintain your posture, you can inquire on the Internet resources by looking at the photos of training.
- nerve strain. Nervous loads always have a negative effect on people's health and can cause serious diseases. Stressful situations can cause muscle stiffness and poor metabolism. Therefore, it is worth reconsidering your attitude to certain aspects of life and maximum protection from provoking factors.
- traumatic injuries. Injuries to the back and chest can cause osteochondrosis. It is important to treat even minor injuries in good time, not to allow self-treatment, but always to consult with specialists.
- Carrying heavy weights and high heels. It is a well-known fact that every centimeter of heel puts a load of 7 to 10 kilograms on the spine. If a woman already has a predisposition to diseases of the spine, then high-heeled shoes should be avoided or wearing 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, new mothers should consult a doctor and undergo an examination of the spine in order to prevent the development of any pathology in a timely manner.
- metabolic disease. Degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs are very often caused by a lack of nutrients caused by a violation of metabolic processes. In order to normalize metabolism, you must 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 affect not only the thoracic spine, but also the work of other vital organs. Hypothermia can cause inflammation of the nerve roots and muscles that support the work of the thoracic calve of the spine.
What methods are used to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine? What needs to be done to relieve symptoms and treat the disease.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, after a full examination and diagnosis of the degree of development of the disease, should be carried out exclusively under the supervision of an experienced specialist.
Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are determined by a neuropathologist, in extreme cases, a surgeon and a neurosurgeon join the treatment.
However, in order to more effectively and quickly treat the disease in the early stages, you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner. It is important to understand that the longer the pathology develops, the more consequences need to be eliminated, which affects the financial cost and the duration of treatment.
With timely access to specialists, it is possible to avoid spinal deformities with the help of vitamins and physical activity. To do this, the doctor issues a special brochure in which the photo shows all the exercises. It is important to immediately look at the photo and ask the doctor any questions about its 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 eliminates the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.
First, the neuropathologist removes the pain syndrome with the help of drugs, and 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 area is relieved.
- diuretics. Diuretics are prescribed for swelling of the nerve roots. Diuretics reduce swelling, thereby improving blood flow to the affected areas.
- Vitamins for the nutrition of nervous tissue.
- chondroprotectors. With the help of chondroprotectors, they try to restore the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.
- Antispasmodics relieve spasms of tense muscles and increase mobility of the chest region, thereby reducing pain syndromes.
Thoracic osteochondrosis symptoms and treatment do not always give a positive result. Therefore, if drug therapy has no effect, the doctor will offer a surgical solution to the problem.
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the chest region
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is an effective way to deal with the disease.
Because with such interventions, drugs are only injected 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 conducted by an experienced physiotherapist. Properly performed procedures will bring the desired result and speed up the healing process.
Acupuncture in 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 previous functions. The needles are placed strictly according to the growth of certain muscles, so you should not do this procedure at home, being guided by a photo or video from the Internet.
The number of procedures is determined by the specialist based on the degree of tension in the muscle fibers. With a specially trained master, acupuncture will be painless and restore muscle tone in a short time.