Thoracic osteochondrosis is one of the most common spinal diseases in humans, affecting the intervertebral discs and causing degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine.
With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity and is unable to perform its shock -absorbing function. Discs can become thinner, delaminate and warp. The nucleus pulposus is reduced and 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 vertebral displacement and pinching of nerve roots, which affects the function of internal organs and limbs.
Due to the fact that the thoracic region is less mobile in its physiological features than the cervical and thoracic regions, thoracic osteochondrosis occurs more or less frequently.
Thoracic osteochondrosis mainly develops in people over the age of 40, but young people and children can also get sick. The cause of the disease may be congenital problems with the spine or poor metabolism.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, appear at different stages in the development of the disease. What you need to look for 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 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 level
The first stage of the disease is characterized by an internal fissure of a fibrous ring, through which the nucleus pulposus penetrates. Stage 1 osteochondrosis can cause the following symptoms:
- Painful pain in the thoracic spine area. This is the first sign that changes are taking place in the body. Chest pain with osteochondrosis only affects the spinal area. Unpleasant pain sensations occur after doing physical exercise, tedious work or inactivity. Often, patients associate such sensations to general fatigue and excessive fatigue, but in fact - this is an opportunity to turn to the doctor for examination;
- Muscle shots in the heart area and small seizure contractions. Since the intervertebral disc begins to deform, this, as a rule, causes pinching of small nerve endings and blood vessels. The reason may be a sharp shooting pain in the chest or seizures. They pass quickly, but appear after the next load on the spine.
2 levels
Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree thoracic region is characterized by the appearance of pathology in the spine, which results in excessive vertebral mobility. The disc loses its former structure and shape, each vertebra gets the possibility of uncontrolled movement. This condition can cause the following symptoms:
- There is subluxation of the vertebrae in the chest. Subluxation is accompanied by persistent pain, such as cold muscles. Temporarily the patient loses the ability to move fully, turn right and left;
- Pain when walking or doing nothing. Pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is exacerbated by walking long distances or when reading a book when the body is in one position.
3 levels
Stage 3 thoracic osteochondrosis causes more complex changes in the form of fibrous ring rupture and exit from the nucleus pulposus, forming an intervertebral hernia. These changes cause symptoms:
- Nerve roots are pinched. Hernias can cause serious disturbances in bodily functions. It all depends on the vertebra where the annulus breaks between. Problems can arise with the work of the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, digestive tract. If a hernia has formed between the first and second vertebrae in the thoracic area, then the hands and fingers may persist or even ache.
- Pinch the spinal cord. Pinching 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;
- Development of kyphosis or scoliosis. Chest osteochondrosis can cause pathological changes in the spinal space in the form of kyphosis or scoliosis. The spine can deform in the affected area and become immobile.
4 levels
Symptoms of stage 4 thoracic spine osteochondrosis intensify, the patient may bend over, constantly depressed. Patients are always worried about annoying pain for a long time. The ability to work decreases, fatigue quickly arises after a small physical effort. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine stage 4 causes abnormalities 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 need to seek help from a specialist.
What can cause the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. What are the moments of a person’s life that need to be taken into account 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, because the muscles and ligaments that support the work of the thoracic region weaken and the spine experiences increased load.
But in addition to poor physical fitness, the reasons may be:
- Hereditary and congenital problems with the spine. Problems with the spine can occur from birth. Infant birth trauma (difficult birth or medical error) and genetic predisposition to pathology contribute to the appearance of the disease. If the parents have osteochondrosis, then in favorable conditions, the child can also suffer from this disease.
- Wrong posture. Body posture should be monitored from a young age. School-age children may be prone to scoliosis, which will then develop into osteochondrosis and other changes in the spinal space. Adults should also not forget about proper posture. Chest osteochondrosis is formed if you do not pay attention to the position of the spine while working, walking, reading and just sitting in front of a computer. It is important to always keep your back straight, do not lean forward or backward while walking, avoid long poses in a bent position. How to maintain your posture properly, you can ask at Internet resources by looking at training photos.
- Nervous tension. Nerve strains always adversely affect human health and can cause serious illness. Stressful situations can cause muscle cramps and poor metabolism. Therefore, it is advisable to reconsider your attitude towards certain aspects of life and protect yourself from provoking factors to the maximum.
- Traumatic injuries. Injuries to the back and chest can cause osteochondrosis. It is important to treat even minor injuries in time, while not allowing self -treatment, but always consult a specialist.
- Wear heavy loads and high heels. It is a known fact that every centimeter of the heel puts a load on 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 delivery, the newly created mother should visit a doctor and undergo a spinal examination to prevent the development of pathology in time.
- Metabolic diseases. Degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc are very often due to lack of nutrients, which are caused by violations of metabolic processes. To normalize metabolism, you must first consult a doctor and find out the cause of the disorder.
- Infections and hypothermia. Improper treatment of infectious diseases in the body can be severely demonstrated 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 is the method used to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. What to do 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 complete examination and diagnosis of the stage of disease progression.
Symptomatic osteochondrosis and treatment of the thoracic spine is determined by a neuropathologist, in extreme cases, surgeons and neurosurgeons participate in the treatment.
To treat the disease more effectively and quickly in the early stages, but for this you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner. It is important to understand that the longer the pathology progresses, the more consequences that need to be eliminated, and this will affect the financial cost and time of treatment.
With timely access to specialists, it is possible to prevent spinal deformities with the help of vitamins and physical activity. To do this, the doctor will issue a special pamphlet, in which the photo will show all the exercises. It is important to immediately consider the photo and ask the doctor all the questions about the correct implementation. The first session should be done under the supervision of a doctor.
Treatment of breast osteochondrosis with medications
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 medications, and then continues treatment directly.
Drugs used for osteochondrosis:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. With the help of anti-inflammatory drugs, the pain in the thoracic area is relieved.
- Diuretics. Diuretics are prescribed in cases when there is swelling at the nerve roots. Diuretics relieve swelling, thus increasing blood supply to the affected area.
- Vitamins for nerve tissue nutrition.
- Chondroprotectors. With the help of chondroprotectors, they try to restore the fibrous rings of the intervertebral disc.
- Antispasmodics relieve spasms from tense muscles and increase mobility of the thoracic region, thus reducing pain syndromes.
Symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis do not always bring positive results, therefore, if drug therapy does not affect, then 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 dealing with this disease.
This is due to the fact that during such procedures, drugs are injected exclusively into the affected area of the spine.
With the help of physiotherapy, pain, inflammation and tension in the muscle mass and ligaments are relieved.
Physiotherapy sessions can only be performed by an experienced physiotherapist. Properly done procedures will bring the desired results and speed up the healing process.
Acupuncture for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The Chinese method of treating many diseases is based on the introduction of special needles into the affected area.
Through acupuncture, they tighten the muscles and return them to their previous function. The needles are placed strictly according to the growth of a particular muscle, so you can not do this procedure at home, guided by photos or videos from the Internet.
The number of procedures is determined by a specialist, based on the level of muscle fiber tension. In a specially trained master, acupuncture will be painless and restore muscle tone in a short time.