Thoracic osteochondrosis is a rather dangerous pathology, which is explained by the difficult process of its diagnosis, so it is often possible to identify the disease only in advanced stages. Initially, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine was considered a disease of the elderly, but recently there has been a certain tendency towards a significant "rejuvenation" of this disease, so it is important to know the main symptoms and treatment to improve the clinical condition. disease picture. The difficulty of the diagnosis is due to the fact that the vertebrae located in the chest region are less sensitive to stress and injury. However, limited mobility is not a guarantee of safety, so the appearance of pathologies in this department is very common. Statistics show that this disease is not directly related to the aging process and gender.
Specifics of the disease
This disease is characterized by pathological processes that lead to negative changes in tissue structure. As a result of this, the destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc and, as a result, the extension of the nucleus pulposus can occur. This condition is dangerous because there is a risk of compression of the spinal cord and further disability of the person. The progression of the disease in childhood can lead to premature aging of the musculoskeletal system even before its final formation. That is why, timely diagnosis of the pathology in the early stages, when the destruction of the vertebrae and adjacent tissues has not yet occurred, is extremely important.
Clinical symptoms
This disease manifests itself in completely different ways, depending on the stage. Therefore, we will highlight the general symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest region:
- Pain. It can happen not only when you perform any action, but also when you stay in static positions for a long time.
- Stiffness of movement, preventing free rotation of the body.
- Difficulty in breathing caused by a feeling of strong pressure in the middle of the back.
- Problems with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and other internal organs.
Very often the disease is manifested as pain on the left side of the chest, which can be interpreted as a symptom of cardiac pathologies. This complicates the diagnosis, but the specialist evaluates the totality of all the patient's complaints, which allows an accurate interpretation of all the existing symptoms. Knowing what symptoms there are for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, you can immediately seek qualified help. We advise you to be more attentive to the signals your body gives.
When making a diagnosis, it is important to know how osteochondrosis of the chest region appears, because this disease is hidden, so it is easy to confuse it with other diseases. Based on the nature of the pain, we can distinguish the main types of osteochondrosis. One condition is characterized by prolonged pain in the damaged area of the spine, and the second is characterized by the occurrence of acute attacks that literally hinder a person's movements, complicating his respiratory functions.
Causes of the disease
The following causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be identified:
- Pathological processes that negatively affect the structure of the discs. In particular, there is a certain genetic predisposition to this disease.
- Lack of activity related to the performance of work functions and leisure activities.
- Scoliosis, which causes increased stress on certain areas of the spine.
- Mechanical damage to the chest.
- Strength training that involves lifting heavy loads.
- Regular stressful situations.
- Hypothermia of the body.
- Calcium deficiency.
- Hormonal disorders.
Classification of the disease
Intervertebral osteochondrosis develops in stages, each of which is characterized by its own negative manifestations:
- First step.The initial stage is characterized by a condition when moisture loss occurs in the intervertebral disc. Elasticity decreases, low-intensity pain appears, which disappears completely when the person takes a comfortable position.
- Second degree.Disc moisture loss continues. As a result, it becomes smaller and cracks appear, some of them quite deep. The muscular corset tries to adapt, trying to maintain the stability of the spine, which leads to spasms and quite strong pains in the back, chest and limbs.
- The third degree.At this stage, a penetration of the nucleus pulposus from the outside is observed. Basically, it is an intervertebral hernia, in which the pain continues throughout the day. A person is forced to change his type of activity to one in which the unpleasant sensations will not be so intense.
- The fourth degree.Prolonged osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is dangerous because serious restructuring of all tissues begins to occur at the site of damage. There is a natural replacement of the annulus fibrosus tissue with bone, which leads to severe stiffness of movement. The appearance of osteophytes and deformation of the spine is also observed.
Aggravation period
The appearance of osteochondrosis of the chest region in the acute phase is characterized by the appearance of paroxysmal pain, which is extremely difficult to relieve with available means. Self-medication at this stage is unacceptable, so you should immediately consult a doctor or call emergency help to relieve the pain. Only a neurologist can correctly interpret your complaints and prescribe the appropriate further examination and treatment. During an exacerbation, it is extremely important to relieve the patient's condition. Aggravation of the disease can be caused by various factors, including stressful situations, hypothermia and activities related to intense stress. In this condition, there is a significant deterioration in the patient's well-being, breathing can become difficult and mobility can be limited. In some cases, hospitalization may be required.
Basic diagnostic methods
The signs of osteochondrosis of the chest region are the appearance of pain in different places, stiffness of movement and difficulty in breathing. The difficulty of diagnosis lies in the fact that a large number of diseases of different nature fit this description. In particular, there is such a concept - "gastrological syndrome", which is characterized by the appearance of pain in the epigastrium, which can be misinterpreted as a manifestation of gastritis or other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Only modern diagnostic methods will make it possible to establish an accurate diagnosis, on the basis of which the neurologist prescribes the appropriate therapy. Everything begins with a detailed interview with the patient, identifying existing complaints and accompanying diseases. After collecting an anamnesis, the doctor proceeds directly to the examination itself with special tests. Then the patient must undergo the necessary laboratory tests, as well as X-rays and MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging allows you to study the condition of the spine in more detail, identify existing pathologies, the size and location of the hernia (if any).
How does the treatment process work?
It is extremely important to know what to do about osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes an individual treatment regimen for the patient. It is necessary to take into account age and the presence of concomitant diseases, as well as allergies to certain drugs. In the first stage, treatment is carried out using various medications: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antispasmodics. The main goal at this stage is to relieve the patient's condition, reduce pain and muscle tissue spasms. In particularly severe cases, when immediate relief of acute pain is necessary, anesthetic blocks are used. Local agents in the form of ointments and gels can also be used, but their effectiveness is somewhat lower, due to the difficulty of delivering the active substances to the lesions. In general, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is an integrated approach that combines the use of several techniques. Only such therapy can give not a positive result once, but an improvement of the clinical picture over time.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic exercise is performed after pain relief. It is extremely important that all movements are performed slowly, avoiding sudden movements, to prevent worsening of the condition. Remember that if the exercise causes you pain, you should stop immediately and consult a doctor.
Massage treatments
Muscle spasms, hypertonia, pain - this is how the disease appears. To eliminate these symptoms, massage can be used, which must be performed by a qualified professional. These procedures can be used not only for therapeutic purposes, but also as a good preventive measure.
Preventing
The consequences of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine will not be so strong if you strictly follow certain medical recommendations. If a specialist has prescribed you bed rest, then under no circumstances should you ignore this, otherwise your condition may worsen. A person should limit himself in physical activity, so he will have to refuse to go to the gym or work with weights. An important component of primary prevention is the timely identification of individuals during medical examinations who have initial signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. Another, no less important point is proper nutrition, which includes avoiding certain foods. It is necessary to limit the consumption of salt, so smoked meat, various spicy spices and pickles will have to be removed from the diet.
It is very important to use chondroprotective drugs that slow down the progression of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, nourish and improve metabolic processes in cartilage tissue.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be treated. To make this possible, you must strictly follow your doctor's recommendations, as well as adhere to the prescribed treatment regimen. The initial osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is best treated, so it is extremely important to be more attentive to your body, responding to the smallest symptoms of the disease. To avoid a possible relapse, you should follow preventive measures and monitor your posture, which is especially important when you work sitting. Contact only qualified doctors, because only they can prescribe a competent regimen of treatment and further recovery.