Chest osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the human spinal cord, affecting the intervertebral discs and causing degenerative-dystrophic lesions in the spine.
In osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and are unable to perform the shock-absorbing function. The discs may thin, separate, and bend. The nucleus pulposus shrinks and the cushioning function is reduced to an impossible or minimal level, and the fibrous ring loses its elasticity and gradually collapses, which can lead to the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
Chest osteochondrosis causes movement of the vertebrae and pinching of the nerve roots, which affects the function of the internal organs and limbs.
Due to the fact that the physiological characteristics of the thoracic region are less mobile than those of the cervical and thoracic regions, thoracic osteochondrosis is much less common.
Chest osteochondrosis mainly affects people over the age of 40, but it can also affect young people and children. The disease can be caused by congenital spinal problems or poor metabolism.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine that occur at different stages in the development of the disease. What to look for in order to diagnose the disease in time and prescribe treatment.
Symptoms of chest osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is often confused with other diseases in which the pathology is called chameleon.
Chest osteochondrosis is a disease that develops slowly and at various stages develops special symptoms that need to be monitored in order for the disease to be diagnosed in time and treatment to be started.
There are 4 stages of the disease, the symptoms of chest osteochondrosis will be different.
Section 1
The first stage of the disease is characterized by internal ruptures of the fibrous ring into which the nucleus pulposus penetrates. Grade 1 osteochondrosis can cause the following symptoms:
- Painful pain in the region of the thoracic spine. This is the first sign that changes are taking place in the body. Osteochondrosis chest pain only affects the spinal area. Uncomfortable painful feelings occur after physical exertion, monotonous work, or inactivity. Patients often attribute such feelings to general fatigue and overload, but in reality this is an opportunity to see a doctor for an examination;
- Muscle fever in the heart region and small cramping contractions. As the intervertebral disc begins to deform, this usually causes small nerve endings and vascular entrapment. This can be caused by sharp chest pain or cramps. They pass quickly, but appear after the next load on the spine.
2 levels
Osteochondrosis of the grade 2 thoracic region is characterized by the appearance of pathologies of the spine that cause excessive mobility of the vertebrae. The discs lose their previous structure and shape, giving each vertebra the opportunity for poorly regulated movement. This condition can cause the following symptoms:
- There are subluxations of the vertebrae in the chest. Subluxes are accompanied by constant pain, as in the case of cold muscles. Temporarily, the patient loses the ability to move completely, turn right and left;
- Pain when walking or doing nothing. The pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is exacerbated by long walks or reading a book when the body is in a position.
3 levels
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 the following symptoms:
- Pinched nerve roots. A hernia can cause severe problems with the way your body works. It all depends on which vertebrae the ring ruptures between. Problems may occur in the work of the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, and digestive system. If a hernia has developed between the 1st and 2nd vertebrae of the chest region, the hands and fingers may be tolerated or even sore.
- Spinal cord pinching. Pinching the spinal cord in the spinal canal has irreversible consequences, even to the point of 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 chest region;
- Development of kyphosis or scoliosis. Osteochondrosis of the chest can cause abnormalities in the spine in the form of kyphosis or scoliosis. The spine may become deformed in the affected area and become immobile.
4 levels
Symptoms of stage 4 osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine intensify, the patient may bend down and become continuously depressed. The patient is constantly worried about the prolonged pain. Ability to work decreases, fatigue quickly develops after a little physical exertion. Osteochondrosis of stage 4 of the thoracic spine causes abnormalities in the work of the internal organs.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis in men and women are the same because as soon as one or more bad health or pain occurs in the chest spine, help should be sought from a specialist.
What can cause the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. What moments in a person’s life should be monitored to avoid the symptoms and treatment of a dangerous illness.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The main cause of the pathology is a lack of exercise, which weakens the muscles and ligaments that support the work of the chest region and puts an increased strain on the spine.
But in addition to poor physical fitness, the reasons for this can be:
- Hereditary and congenital spinal problems. Spine problems can be present from birth. The birth trauma of the infant (difficult birth or medical errors) and the genetic predisposition to the pathology contribute to the onset of the disease. If the parents had osteochondrosis, under favorable conditions the child may also develop this disease.
- Bad 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 lesions of the spine. Adults should not forget the correct posture either. Chest osteochondrosis develops if you do not pay attention to the position of your spine while working, walking, reading and just sitting in front of a computer. It is important that your back is always straight, do not lean forward or backward while walking, avoid long poses in a bent position. You can ask how to maintain your posture correctly by viewing the training photos in online resources.
- Nervous tension. Nerve strains always have a bad effect on people’s health and can cause serious illness. Stressful situations can cause muscle stiffness and poor metabolism. Therefore, it is worth rethinking your attitude towards certain aspects of life and protecting yourself to the maximum from provocative factors.
- Traumatic injuries. Injuries to the back and chest can lead to osteochondrosis. It is important to treat minor injuries in time, do not allow self-treatment, but always consult a specialist.
- Wearing heavy weights and high heels. It is a well-known fact that every inch of the heel puts a load of 7 to 10 kilograms on the spine. If a woman is already prone to spinal diseases, high-heeled shoes should be omitted or the wearing of such shoes should be kept to a minimum. Pregnant women are at risk because the load on the spine is very high and uneven in the last months of pregnancy. After giving birth, newborn mothers should see a doctor and have a spinal examination to prevent the pathology from developing in time.
- Metabolic disease. Degenerative lesions of the intervertebral discs are very often caused by a lack of nutrients caused by a violation of metabolic processes. To normalize your metabolism, you should first see a doctor and find out the cause of such disorders.
- Infections and hypothermia. Premature treatment of infectious diseases in the body manifests itself poorly not only in the thoracic spine but also in the work of other vital organs. Hypothermia can cause inflammation of the nerve roots and muscles that support the work of the thoracic chest.
What methods are used to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. What to do to relieve the symptoms and treat the disease.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should only be performed under the supervision of an experienced professional after a full examination and diagnosis of the stage of the disease.
The symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are determined by a neuropathologist, and in extreme cases, a surgeon and a neurosurgeon join the treatment.
In order to treat the disease more effectively and faster in the early stages, but you need to see a doctor in time. It is important to understand that the further the pathology progresses, the more consequences need to be eliminated, and this affects the financial cost and time of treatment.
With timely access to professionals, spinal deformity can be avoided with the help of vitamins and physical activity. To do this, the doctor will issue a special brochure showing all the exercises in the photo. It is important to consider the photo immediately and ask your doctor any questions about proper implementation. The first treatment is best done under the supervision of a doctor.
Treatment of breast osteochondrosis with drugs
First, after the disease is diagnosed, the doctor prescribes treatment that removes the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest.
First, the neuropathologist removes the pain syndrome with the help of medications and then continues with direct treatment.
Medicines used to treat osteochondrosis:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Anti-inflammatory drugs help relieve chest pain.
- Diuretics. Diuretics are prescribed if there is swelling in the nerve roots. Diuretics relieve swelling, thereby improving the blood supply to the affected areas.
- Vitamins to nourish nerve tissue.
- Chondroprotectors. Chondroprotectors are used to try to restore the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.
- Anticonvulsants relieve tension in tense muscles and increase the mobility of the chest region, thereby reducing pain syndromes.
The symptoms and treatment of chest osteochondrosis do not always yield positive results, so if medication has not affected you, your doctor will offer a surgical solution to the problem.
Physiotherapy in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is an effective method of treating the disease.
This is due to the fact that in such procedures, the drugs are injected exclusively into the affected areas of the spine.
Physiotherapy relieves pain, inflammation and tension in muscle mass and ligaments.
Physiotherapy sessions should only be performed by an experienced physiotherapist. Properly performed procedures will produce the desired results and accelerate the healing process.
Acupuncture for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
This Chinese method is based on the introduction of special needles in the affected areas to treat many diseases.
With acupuncture, they tone the muscles and restore them to their previous function. The needles are placed strictly according to the growth of certain muscles, so do not perform this procedure at home, based on a photo or video from the Internet.
The number of procedures is determined by a person skilled in the art based on the degree of tension in the muscle fibers. With a specially trained master, acupuncture will be painless and restore muscle tone in a short time.