Thoracic osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the spine in humans, which affects the intervertebral discs and causes degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine.
With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and can not perform a suction function. The discs may become thinner, twisted, and deformed. The nucleus pulposus shrinks and the damping 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 constriction of the 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 characteristics than the cervical and thoracic regions, thoracic osteochondrosis occurs much less frequently.
Thoracic osteochondrosis mainly affects people over the age of 40, but can also affect young people and children. The cause of the disease can be congenital problems with the spine or poor metabolism.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, which appear at different stages of disease development. What 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 which you should pay 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 vary.
1 phase
The first stage of the disease is characterized by internal cracks of the fibrous ring, into which the pulposus nucleus penetrates. First degree osteochondrosis can cause the following symptoms:
- Painful 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 spinal area. Unpleasant feelings of pain occur after physical exercise, monotonous work or inactivity. Often, patients attribute such sensations to general fatigue and congestion, but in fact - this is an occasion to turn to the doctor for an examination;
- Muscle shooting in the heart region and small convulsive contractions. As the intervertebral disc begins to deform, this, as a rule, causes constriction of the small nerve endings and blood vessels. The reason for this may be sharp shooting pains in the chest or convulsions. They pass quickly, but appear after the next load on the spine.
2 phases
Osteochondrosis of the grade 2 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 possibility of poorly controlled movement. This condition can cause the following symptoms:
- There are subluxations of the vertebrae in the chest. Subluxations are associated with constant pain, as with cold muscles. Temporarily the patient loses the ability to move fully, to turn right and left;
- Pain when walking or doing nothing. Pain in thoracic spine osteochondrosis is aggravated by long walks or when reading a book when the body is in one position.
3 phases
Grade 3 thoracic osteochondrosis causes more complex changes in the form of a rupture of the fibrous ring and protrusion of the pulposus nucleus, forming intervertebral hernias. These changes cause symptoms:
- Pressed nerve roots. Hernias can cause serious disturbances in the functioning of the body. It all depends on which bead the ring explodes. Problems with the work of the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, digestive tract may arise. If a hernia has formed between vertebrae 1 and 2 of the chest region, then the hands and fingers may suffer or even hurt.
- Crushing of the spinal cord. Absorption of the spinal cord into 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 chest region;
- Development of kyphosis or scoliosis. Chest osteochondrosis can cause pathological changes in the spine in the form of kyphosis or scoliosis. The spine may deform in the affected area and become immobile.
4 phases
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 the pain that bothers him for a long time. The ability to work decreases, fatigue appears quickly after a little physical exertion. 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 once there is one or more manifestations of poor health or pain in the thoracic spine, you should seek help from a specialist.
What can cause the development of thoracic spine osteochondrosis. What moments of a person's life should be paid attention to to avoid the symptoms and treatment of this dangerous disease.
Causes of thoracic spine osteochondrosis
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 chest region weaken and the spine experiences an increased load.
But in addition to poor physical ability, the reasons may be:
- Inherited and congenital problems with the spine. Problems with the spine can be from birth. Birth trauma of the baby (difficult birth 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 can also develop this disease.
- Wrong attitude. Attitude 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 right attitude. Chest osteochondrosis forms if you do not pay attention to the position of the spine while working, walking, reading and just sitting in front of the computer. It is important to always keep your back straight, do not bend forward or backward when walking, avoid long poses in the bent position. How to maintain your posture correctly, you can ask in online resources by looking at training photos.
- Nerve tension. Nerve strain always has a bad 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 towards certain aspects of life and protect yourself from provocative factors to the maximum.
- Traumatic injuries. Injuries to the spine and chest can cause osteochondrosis. It is important to treat even minor injuries in a timely manner, not allowing self-medication, but always consulting a specialist.
- Wearing heavy weights and high heels. It is a well-known fact that every inch of heels gives a load of the spine from 7 to 10 kilograms. If a woman already has a predisposition to spinal diseases, then high-heeled shoes should be abandoned 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 giving birth, newborn mothers should visit a doctor and undergo a spinal examination to prevent the timely development of the pathology.
- Metabolic diseases. Degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs are often caused by a lack of nutrients, which is caused by a violation of metabolic processes. To normalize metabolism, you should first consult a doctor and find out what is the cause of such disorders.
- Infections and hypothermia. Premature treatment of infectious diseases in the body can manifest itself 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 to do to relieve symptoms and treat the disease.
Treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis
Treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis should be carried out 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 is determined by a neuropathologist, in extreme cases, a surgeon and a neurosurgeon join the treatment.
To treat the disease more effectively and faster in the early stages, but for this you need 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 treatment time.
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, where the picture will show all the exercises. It is important to immediately consider the photo and ask the doctor all questions about the correct execution. The first session is best done under the supervision of a doctor.
Treatment of breast osteochondrosis with medication
First of all, after diagnosing the disease, the doctor prescribes a treatment that relieves the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.
First, the neuropathologist removes the pain syndrome with the help of medication and then proceeds with direct treatment.
Medications used for osteochondrosis:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. With the help of anti-inflammatory drugs the pain in the chest region is relieved.
- Diuretics. Diuretic drugs are prescribed in case there is swelling in the nerve roots. Diuretics relieve swelling, thus improving blood supply to the affected areas.
- Vitamins for nourishing nerve 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 mobility of the chest region, thus reducing pain syndromes.
The symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis do not always bring a positive result, therefore, if drug therapy has not affected, then 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 method of treating 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 muscle mass and ligaments are relieved.
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 thoracic spine osteochondrosis
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. The needles are placed strictly according to certain muscle growth, 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 tightening of the muscle fibers. In a specially trained master, acupuncture will be painless and will restore muscle tone in a short time.