Thoracic osteochondrosis is a very dangerous pathology, which is explained by the difficult process of diagnosis, so it is often possible to identify the disease only in advanced stages. At first, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine was considered a disease of the elderly, but recently there is a certain tendency for this disease to be significantly "rejuvenated", so it is important to know the main symptoms and treatment in order to improve the clinic. picture of the disease. The difficulty of diagnosis is due to the fact that the vertebrae located in the thoracic region are the least sensitive to stress and injuries. However, limited mobility is not a guarantee of safety, so the occurrence of pathologies in this department is also very common. Statistics show that this disease is not directly related to the aging process and gender.
Specific features of the disease
This disease is characterized by pathological processes that cause negative changes in the structure of tissues. As a result of this, the destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc and, as a result, the protrusion of the nucleus pulposus can occur. This condition is dangerous because there is a risk of spinal cord compression and further disability of the person. Childhood progression of the disease can lead to premature aging of the musculoskeletal system, even before final formation. Therefore, timely diagnosis of the pathology in the early stages, when the destruction of the spine and adjacent tissues has not yet occurred, is extremely important.
Clinical symptoms
This disease manifests itself in a completely different way depending on the stage. Therefore, we will highlight the general symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region:
- Pain. This can happen not only when performing any movement, but also when staying in static positions for a long time.
- Stiffness of movement prevents free rotation of the body.
- Difficulty breathing with a strong feeling of pressure in the middle of the back.
- Problems in the work 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 pathologies. This complicates the diagnosis, but the specialist evaluates the totality of all the patient's complaints, which allows him to correctly interpret all the existing symptoms. Knowing what are the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, you can immediately seek qualified help. We advise you to pay more attention to the signals that your body gives.
When making a diagnosis, it is important to know how osteochondrosis of the thoracic region manifests itself, because this disease is insidious, 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 long-lasting pain in the damaged area of the spine, and the second is characterized by the occurrence of acute attacks that almost hinder the person's movement and make breathing difficult.
Causes of the disease
The following causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be determined:
- 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 large loads.
- Constant stressful situations.
- Hypothermia of the body.
- Calcium deficiency.
- Hormonal disorders.
Disease classification
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 in which moisture loss occurs in the intervertebral disc. Elasticity decreases, low-intensity pain appears, which completely disappears when a person takes a comfortable position.
- Second degree.The disk continues to lose moisture. As a result, it becomes smaller and cracks appear, some of which are quite deep. A muscular corset tries to adapt, trying to maintain the stability of the spine, which causes spasms and quite severe pain in the back, chest and limbs.
- Third degree.At this stage, the progress of the nucleus pulposus towards the outside is observed. Basically, it is an intervertebral hernia where the pain continues throughout the day. A person is forced to change his type of activity to one where unpleasant feelings will not be so strong.
- Fourth degree.Expanded osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is dangerous, because serious reconstruction of all tissues begins at the site of damage. There is a natural replacement of fibrous ring tissue with bone, which causes severe stiffness of movement. The appearance of osteophytes and deformation of the spine is also observed.
Aggravation period
In the acute stage, the manifestation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is characterized by the appearance of paroxysmal pain, which is extremely difficult to eliminate with existing means. At this stage, self-treatment is unacceptable, so you should immediately consult a doctor or call an ambulance to relieve pain. Only a neurologist can correctly interpret your complaints and prescribe appropriate additional examination and treatment. It is extremely important to alleviate the patient's condition during an exacerbation. Exacerbation of the disease can be caused by various factors, including stressful situations, hypothermia and activities related to strong stress. In this case, there is a significant deterioration in the patient's well-being, breathing may become difficult and mobility may be limited. In some cases, hospitalization may be required.
Basic diagnostic methods
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region include the appearance of pain in various places, stiffness of movement, difficulty in breathing. The difficulty of diagnosis is that many diseases of different nature fit this description. In particular, there is such a concept - "gastrological syndrome", characterized by the appearance of pain in the epigastrium, can be misinterpreted as a manifestation of gastritis or other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Only modern diagnostic methods will make it possible to make an accurate diagnosis, on the basis of which the neurologist prescribes appropriate therapy. It all starts with a detailed interview with the patient, identification of existing complaints and accompanying diseases. After collecting the anamnesis, the doctor proceeds directly to the examination with special tests. Then the patient should undergo the necessary laboratory tests, as well as X-ray and MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging allows to study the condition of the spine in more detail, to determine the 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 with 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 accompanying diseases, as well as allergies to certain drugs. In the first stage, treatment is carried out using various drugs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antispasmodics. The main goal at this stage is to alleviate the patient's condition, reduce pain and spasms of muscle tissue. In especially severe cases, when acute pain needs immediate relief, anesthetic blocks are used. Local agents in the form of ointments and gels can also be used, but their effectiveness is somewhat lower, because it is difficult to deliver the active substances to the lesions. In general, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a complex approach that combines the use of several techniques. Only such therapy is not a one-time positive result, but can lead to an improvement of the clinical picture over time.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic exercise is performed after the pain has stopped. It is extremely important to perform all movements slowly, avoiding sudden movements, in order to prevent the condition from worsening. Remember that if exercise causes pain, you should stop immediately and consult a doctor.
Massage treatments
Muscle spasms, hypertonicity, pain - this is how the disease manifests itself. Massage can be used to relieve these symptoms, which should be performed by a qualified specialist. These procedures can be used not only for therapeutic purposes, but also as a good preventive measure.
Prevention
If you strictly follow certain medical recommendations, the consequences of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine will not be so strong. If a specialist has prescribed bed rest for you, in no case should you ignore it, 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 timely identification of persons with initial symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest during medical examinations. Another no less important point is proper nutrition, which involves avoiding certain foods. It is necessary to limit the consumption of salt, so smoked meats, various spicy spices and pickles should be excluded from the diet.
It is very important to use chondroprotective drugs that slow down the development 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 and follow the prescribed treatment regimen. Primary osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is best treated, so it is extremely important to be more attentive to your body by responding to the smallest symptoms of the disease. To avoid a possible relapse, you need to follow preventive measures and monitor your posture, which is especially important when working in a sedentary position. Contact only qualified doctors, because only they can prescribe a competent treatment regimen and subsequent recovery.