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 are unable to perform a shock-absorbing function. Discs can become thin, delaminate, and misshapen. The nucleus pulposus decreases and the function of depreciation becomes impossible or is reduced to a minimum, and the annulus fibrosus loses its elasticity and gradually collapses, which can lead to the formation of 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 characteristics than the cervical and thoracic regions, thoracic osteochondrosis occurs much less frequently.
Thoracic osteochondrosis develops mainly in people over 40 years of age, but young people and children can also get sick. The cause of the disease can be congenital problems in the spine or poor metabolism.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, appearing 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.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
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 at different stages there are special symptoms that you need to 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 be different.
1 stage
The first stage of the disease is characterized by internal fissures of the annulus fibrosus, into which the nucleus pulposus penetrates. Osteochondrosis of the first degree can cause the following symptoms:
- Aching pain in the region of the thoracic spine. This is the first sign that changes are taking place in the body. Chest pain with osteochondrosis affects only the spinal area. Unpleasant painful sensations occur after physical exertion, monotonous work or inactivity. Patients often attribute such sensations to general fatigue and overexertion, but in fact, this is an occasion to go to the doctor for an examination;
- Muscular jerks in the region of the heart and small convulsive contractions. Since the intervertebral disc began to deform, this, as a rule, leads to pinching of small nerve endings and blood vessels. The reason for this may be sharp stabbing chest pains or seizures. They pass quickly, but appear after the next load in the column.
2 stages
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region of the second degree 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 accompanied by constant pain, as with 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 stages
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree causes more complex changes in the form of rupture of the fibrous ring and outflow of the nucleus pulposus, forming intervertebral hernias. These changes cause symptoms:
- Pinched nerve roots. Hernias can cause serious alterations in the functioning of the organism. It all depends on which vertebrae the ring breaks between. Problems with the work of the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, digestive tract may arise. If a hernia has formed between the first and second vertebrae of the thoracic region, the hands and fingers can bear or even hurt.
- Spinal cord pinch. Pinching the spinal cord in the spinal canal can have 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 chest 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 stages
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine stage 4 intensify, the patient may slouch, be constantly depressed. The patient is constantly worried about the pain that bothers for a long time. The working capacity decreases, fatigue appears quickly after a little physical exertion. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine stage 4 provokes deviations in the work of internal organs.
The 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, you should 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 the 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 experiences an increased load.
But in addition to poor physical condition, the reasons may be:
- Hereditary and congenital problems of the spine. Problems with the spine can be from birth. The trauma of the baby's birth (difficult delivery 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 posture. 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 about the correct posture. Osteochondrosis of the chest is formed 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, do not lean forward or backward when walking, avoid long postures in an inclined position. How to maintain your posture correctly, you can refer to the Internet resources by viewing training photos.
- Nervous tension. Nervous tensions 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 worth reconsidering your attitude to certain aspects of life and protecting 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 on time, not allowing self-treatment, but always consulting with specialists.
- Wear heavy weights and high heels. It is a well-known fact that each centimeter of heels gives a load on the spine of 7 to 10 kilograms. If a woman already has a predisposition to diseases of the spine, then high-heeled shoes should be abandoned or the wearing 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 undergo an examination of the spine in order to prevent the development of pathologies in time.
- metabolic disease. Degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs are often caused by a lack of nutrients, which is caused by a violation of metabolic processes. In order to normalize the 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 show poorly 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 thoracic labor of the spine.
What methods are used to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. What should be done to relieve symptoms and treat 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 full examination and diagnosis of the degree of development of the disease.
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.
To treat the disease more effectively and quickly in the early stages, but for this you need to 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 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 photo 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 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 eliminates the pain syndrome with the help of drugs, and then proceeds to direct treatment.
Medications that are used for osteochondrosis:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. With the help of anti-inflammatory drugs, pain in the thoracic region is relieved.
- diureticsDiuretic drugs are prescribed in the event that there is swelling in the nerve roots. Diuretics relieve swelling, thus improving blood supply 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 the mobility of the thoracic region, which reduces pain syndromes.
Symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis do not always give a positive result, therefore, if drug therapy has not affected, 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 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 physical therapy, pain, inflammation and tension in the muscle mass and ligaments are relieved.
Physical therapy sessions should only be performed by an experienced physical therapist. 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 tone the muscles and return 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, guided by a photo or video from the Internet.
The number of procedures is determined by the specialist, depending on the degree of tension of the muscle fibers. In a specially trained master, acupuncture will be painless and will restore muscle tone in a short time.