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 cannot perform a shock-absorbing function. Discs can become thinner, delaminated and deformed. The nucleus pulposus shrinks and the depreciation function becomes impossible or reduced to a minimum, and the annulus fibrosus loses its elasticity and gradually collapses, which can lead to the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
Thoracic osteochondrosis causes displacement of the vertebrae and impingement of the nerve roots, which affects the functioning of Organs 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 develops in people over the age of 40, but young people and children can also get it. The cause of the disease may be congenital spinal problems 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 in the annulus fibrosus, into which the nucleus pulposus penetrates. 1st degree osteochondrosis can cause the following symptoms:
- Painful 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 only affects the spine area. Unpleasant painful sensations occur after physical exertion, monotonous work, or inactivity. Patients often attribute these sensations to general fatigue and overexertion, but in fact - this is an occasion to turn to the doctor for an examination;
- Muscle shootings in the region of the heart and small convulsive contractions. Since the intervertebral disc began to deform, this, as a rule, causes compression of small nerve endings and blood vessels. The reason for this could be sharp chest pains or seizures. They pass quickly, but appear after the next charge in the column.
2 stages
2nd degree 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 old structure and shape, each vertebra is left with 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 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
Third degree thoracic osteochondrosis causes more complex changes in the form of rupture of the annulus fibrosus and exit of the nucleus pulposus, forming intervertebral hernias. These changes cause symptoms:
- Compressed nerve roots. Hernias can cause serious disturbances in the functioning of the body. It all depends on which vertebrae the ring breaks. Problems can 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 may resist or even hurt.
- Spinal cord clamping. Compression of the spinal cord 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 chest can cause pathological changes in the spine in the form of kyphosis or scoliosis. The spine may be deformed in the affected area and become immobile.
4 stages
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine in stage 4 intensify, the patient may stoop, be constantly depressed. The patient is constantly worried about the pain that has been bothering him for a long time. The ability to work decreases, fatigue sets in quickly after a small 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, since as soon as there is one or more manifestations of health problems 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 you pay 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 undergoes an increased load.
But, in addition to the lack of physical conditioning, the reasons can be:
- Hereditary and congenital problems with 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 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 needs to be monitored from an early age. School-age children can be prone to scoliosis, which will later develop into osteochondrosis and other changes in the spine. Adults should also not forget about 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 a bent position. How to maintain your posture correctly, you can ask on the Internet resources by viewing the training photos.
- Nerve tension. Nervous tensions always have a bad 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 towards 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 in time, without allowing self-treatment, but always consulting specialists.
- Wearing heavy weights and high heels. It is a well-known fact that every centimeter of jumps gives a spine load of 7 to 10 kilos. 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 pregnancy, the load on the spine is very large and uneven. After childbirth, newborn mothers should visit a doctor and have a spinal examination to prevent the development of pathology 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. To normalize metabolism, you must 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 be poorly displayed 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 thoracic spinal labor.
What methods are used to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. What needs to be done to relieve symptoms and treat the condition.
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 thorough examination and diagnosis of the degree of development of the disease.
Thoracic spine osteochondrosis symptoms and treatment 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 longer the pathology develops, the more consequences will need to be eliminated, and this will affect the financial costs and treatment time.
With timely access to specialists, it is possible to prevent spinal deformity with the help of vitamins and physical activity. To do this, the doctor will issue a special leaflet, 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 physician.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the breast with medications
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 medication, and then proceeds to direct treatment.
Medications used for osteochondrosis:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. With the help of anti-inflammatories, pain in the thoracic region is relieved.
- Diuretics. Diuretic medications are prescribed in case of swelling in the nerve roots. Diuretics relieve swelling, thus improving the 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 mobility in the thoracic region, thus reducing painful syndromes.
Symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis do not always bring 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
Physical therapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is an effective method of dealing with the condition.
This is due to the fact that during these procedures, drugs are injected exclusively into the affected areas of the spine.
With the help of physical therapy, pain, inflammation and tension in muscle mass and ligaments are relieved.
Physical therapy sessions should only be performed by an experienced physical therapist. Procedures performed correctly will bring the desired result and accelerate 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 former functions. Needles are placed strictly in accordance with 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 tightness of the muscle fibers. In a specially trained master, acupuncture will be painless and will restore muscle tone in no time.