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.
In osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs lose elasticity and cannot perform the function of amortization. Discs can become thinner, layered and distorted. The nucleus pulposus shrinks and the amortization function becomes impossible or reduced to a minimum, and the fibrous ring loses elasticity and gradually collapses, which can lead to the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
Thoracic osteochondrosis causes vertebral displacement 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 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 can be congenital problems with the spine or poor metabolism.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, which appear at different stages of disease development. 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 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 vary.
1 phase
The first stage of the disease is characterized by internal cracks of the fibrous ring into which the nucleus pulposus penetrates. Grade 1 osteochondrosis can cause the following symptoms:
- Painful pain in the thoracic spine. This is the first sign that changes are happening in the body. Chest pain in osteochondrosis only affects the spine. Unpleasant painful sensations occur after physical exertion, monotonous work or inactivity. Often patients attribute such sensations to general fatigue and overexertion, but in fact - this is an opportunity to consult a doctor for an examination;
- Muscle rupture in the heart area and small convulsive contractions. As the intervertebral disc begins to deform, it typically causes pinching of small nerve endings and blood vessels. This may be due to severe chest pain or cramps. They pass quickly, but appear after the next load on the spine.
2nd stage
Grade 2 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 former structure and shape, each vertebra gets 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 in cold muscles. The patient temporarily loses the ability to move completely, turning right and left;
- Pain when walking or doing nothing. The pain of thoracic spine osteochondrosis is exacerbated by long walks or reading a book when the body is in one position.
3rd stage
Grade 3 thoracic osteochondrosis causes more complex changes in the form of rupture of the fibrous ring and exit of the nucleus pulposus, forming intervertebral hernias. These changes cause symptoms:
- Tighten nerve roots. Hernias can cause serious disturbances in the functioning of the organism. It all depends on which vertebrae the ring breaks between. Problems with the kidneys, liver, gallbladder and digestive tract can occur. If the hernia was formed between the 1st and 2nd vertebrae in the thoracic part, then the hands and fingers may endure or even hurt.
- Spinal cord compression. Spinal cord constriction in the spinal canal can lead to irreversible consequences for disability;
- Chest muscle tension. Pathological processes in the spine cause constant tension of muscles and ligaments that support the mobility of the thoracic region;
- Development of kyphosis or scoliosis. Thoracic osteochondrosis can cause pathological changes in the spine in the form of kyphosis or scoliosis. The spine can deform in the affected area and become immobile.
4 stage
Symptoms of grade 4 thoracic spine osteochondrosis intensify, the patient may bend over, be constantly depressed. The patient is constantly worried about the pain that has been bothering him for a long time. Working ability decreases, fatigue quickly appears after a little physical effort. 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 poor health or pain in the thoracic spine, it is necessary to seek professional help.
Which 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 physical exercise, due to which the muscles and ligaments that support the work of the thoracic region are weak, and the spine experiences an increased load.
However, in addition to poor physical fitness, the reasons may be:
- Hereditary and congenital spine problems. Spinal problems can be from birth. Childbirth trauma (difficult childbirth or medical errors) and genetic predisposition to pathology contribute to the development of the disease. If the parents had osteochondrosis, then under favorable conditions, the child can 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 proper posture. Chest osteochondrosis occurs 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 poses in a bent position. How to properly maintain your posture, you can ask on the Internet resources by looking at photos of training.
- Nerve strain. Nervous efforts always have a bad 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 towards certain aspects of life and protecting yourself as much as possible from provoking factors.
- Traumatic injuries. Injuries to the back and chest can cause osteochondrosis. It is important to treat minor injuries on time, not to allow self-medication, but always consult with specialists.
- Wearing large weights and high heels. It is a known fact that every centimeter of the heel loads 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 kept to a minimum. Pregnant women are endangered, because in the last months of gestation, the load on the spine is very large and uneven. After giving birth, new mothers should visit a doctor and undergo an examination of the spinal column in order to prevent the development of pathology in time.
- Metabolic disease. Degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs are very often caused by a lack of nutrients, which is caused by a violation of metabolic processes. To normalize your 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 have a bad effect 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 spine.
What methods are used to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. What needs to be done to alleviate the symptoms and treat the disease.
Treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis
Treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis should be carried out only under the supervision of an experienced specialist after a complete examination and diagnosis of the stage of disease development.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine symptoms and treatment are determined by a neuropathologist, and in extreme cases, treatment includes a surgeon and a neurosurgeon.
To treat the disease more efficiently and quickly in the early stages, but you must 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 cost and time 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 brochure, where the photo will show all the exercises. It is important to review the photo immediately and ask the doctor any questions regarding proper performance. 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 medication, and then switches to direct treatment.
Drugs used for osteochondrosis:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. With the help of anti-inflammatory drugs, pain in the thoracic region is relieved.
- Diuretics. Diuretics are prescribed in case there is swelling at the nerve roots. Diuretics alleviate swelling, which improves blood flow to the affected areas.
- Vitamins for nerve tissue nutrition.
- Chondroprotectors. With the help of chondroprotectors, they are trying 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 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 thoracic region
Physiotherapy of thoracic spine osteochondrosis is an effective method of combating this 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 be performed only by an experienced physiotherapist. 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.
Acupuncture tones muscles and restores 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 a specialist, based on the degree of tightness of muscle fibers. With a specially trained master, acupuncture will be painless and restore muscle tone in a short time.