Thoracic osteochondrosis is a rather dangerous pathology, which is explained by the difficult process of diagnosis, which is why the disease can often be identified only in an advanced stage. Initially, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine was considered a disease of the elderly, but recently a certain tendency to significantly "rejuvenate" the disease has been observed, therefore it is important to know the main symptoms and treatment in order to improve the clinical picture of the disease. The difficulty of diagnosis arises from this, that the vertebrae located in the thoracic region are the least susceptible to stress and injuries. However, limited movement is not a guarantee of safety, so the occurrence of pathologies is also very common in this department. Statistics show that this disease is not directly related to the aging processand gender.
Features of the disease
This disease is characterized by pathological processes that lead to negative changes in the structure of tissues. As a result, the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc may be damaged, and the nucleus pulposus may protrude as a result. This condition is dangerous because there is a risk of spinal cord compression 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 development. Therefore, it is extremely important to diagnose the pathology in time at an early stage, when the destruction of the vertebrae and adjacent tissues has not yet occurred.
Clinical symptoms
This disease manifests itself in completely different ways depending on the stage. Therefore, we highlight the general symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest region:
- Pain. It can occur not only when performing any action, but also in static positions for a long time.
- Stiffness of movement that prevents the body from rotating freely.
- Difficulty breathing, caused by a strong feeling of pressure in the middle of the back.
- Problems in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and other internal organs.
Very often, the disease manifests itself as pain on the left side of the chest, which can be interpreted as symptoms of heart disease. This complicates the diagnosis, but the specialist evaluates all the patient's complaints, which makes it possible to correctly interpret all the existing symptoms. Knowing the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, you can immediately seek professional help. We advise you to pay more attention to the signals your body is giving you.
When making a diagnosis, it is important to know how osteochondrosis of the chest region manifests itself, since this disease is insidious, so it can easily be confused with other diseases. Based on the nature of the pain, we can distinguish the main types of osteochondrosis. One condition is characterized by long-lasting pain in the damaged area of the spine, and the second is the occurrence of acute attacks that literally hinder a person's movement, making it difficult for him to breathe.
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 work and leisure activities.
- Scoliosis, which causes increased stress on certain areas of the spine.
- Mechanical damage to the chest.
- Strength training with heavy lifting.
- Regular stressful situations.
- Hypothermia of the body.
- Lack of calcium.
- Hormonal disorders.
Classification of the disease
Intervertebral osteochondrosis develops in stages, each of which is characterized by its own negative manifestations:
- First degree.The initial stage is characterized by a condition where moisture loss occurs in the disc. Flexibility decreases, low-intensity pain occurs, which disappears completely when the person gets into a comfortable position.
- Second degree.The loss of moisture in the plate continues. As a result, it becomes smaller and cracks appear, some of which are quite deep. The muscular corset tries to adapt, tries to maintain the stability of the spine, which leads to spasms and quite severe pain in the back, chest and limbs.
- Third degree.In this stage, the nucleus pulposus breaks through to the outside. Its essence is an intervertebral hernia, in which the pain persists throughout the day. A person is forced to change his activity to one in which the unpleasant sensations will not be so intense.
- Fourth degree.Extended osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is dangerous, because serious restructuring of all tissues begins at the site of damage. The natural replacement of fibrous annulus tissue with bone leads to severe stiffness of movement. The appearance of osteophytes and deformation of the spine can also be observed.
Exacerbation period
The manifestation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region in the acute stage is characterized by the appearance of paroxysmal pain, which is extremely difficult to alleviate with available means. Self-medication at this stage is unacceptable, so immediately consult a doctor or call emergency help to relieve 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 alleviate 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, the patient's well-being deteriorates significantly, breathing may become difficult, and mobility may be limited. In some cases, hospitalization may be required.
Basic diagnostic methods
Signs of osteochondrosis of the chest region are the appearance of pain in different places, stiffness of movement and difficulty breathing. The difficulty of diagnosis lies in the fact that so many diseases of different natures fit this description. In particular, there is such a concept - "gastrological syndrome", which is characterized by pain in the epigastrium, which can be misinterpreted as a manifestation of gastritis or other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Only modern diagnostic methods make it possible to make an accurate diagnosis, on the basis of which the neurologist can prescribe the appropriate therapyprescribes. Everything begins with a detailed interview of the patient, identification of existing complaints and accompanying diseases. After collecting the anamnesis, the doctor begins directly with the examination itself with special tests. Then the patient must undergo the necessary laboratory tests, as well as X-ray and MRIMagnetic resonance imaging allows for a more detailed study of the condition of the spine, identification of 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 in osteochondrosis of the chest 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 with various drugs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers and antispasmodics. The main goal at this stage is to alleviate the patient's condition, reduce pain and spasms in the muscle tissue. In particularly severe cases, when immediate relief of acute pain is required, anesthetic blocks are used. Topical agents can also be used in the form of ointments and gels, but their effectiveness is somewhat lower, since the active ingredients are difficult to get into 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 one-time positive result, but an improvement of the clinical picture over time.
Physiotherapy
After pain relief, therapeutic exercises are performed. It is extremely important to perform all movements slowly and avoid sudden movements to avoid aggravating the condition. Remember that if exercise causes pain, stop immediately and consult a doctor.
Massage treatments
Muscle spasms, hypertension, pain - this is how the disease manifests itself. To eliminate these symptoms, massage can be used, which should be performed by a trained professional. These procedures can be used not only for therapeutic purposes, but also as a good preventive measure.
Prevention
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 bed rest for you, do not ignore it under any circumstances, otherwise your condition may worsen. A person should limit himself in physical activity, so he should refuse to go to the gym or work with weights. An important element of primary prevention is the timely identification of persons with initial signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine during medical examinations. Another, no less important aspect is proper nutrition, which means avoiding certain foods. Salt consumption must be limited, therefore smoked meats, various spicy spices and pickles must 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 the metabolic processes of cartilage tissue.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be treated. To make this possible, you must strictly follow the doctor's recommendations, as well as adhere to the established treatment regimen. Initial osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is best treated, so it is extremely important to pay more attention to your body and respond to even the smallest symptoms of the disease. In order to avoid a possible relapse, you must follow preventive measures and monitor your posture, which is especially important when working in a sitting position. Consult only qualified doctors, as only they can prescribe an appropriate treatment regimen and further recovery.