Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is rarely observed when compared to the prevalence of conditions such as lower back and cervical osteochondrosis. There are certain signs of thoracic osteochondrosis that require proper treatment, just like any other disease.
The thoracic spine is characterized by a special structure: it is larger than the lumbar and cervical discs combined, and the discs are smaller and thinner. Mobility in this division is low, and most of the load falls on the sternum and ribs.
With varying degrees of pain during heavy load or sudden movement, as is the case with lumbar or cervical osteochondrosis, complications associated with suspected development of cardiovascular disease or respiratory dysfunction were not observed at all to prevail.
reason
Osteochondrosis of the chest begins to develop primarily due to a lack of physical activity, that is, a lack of pressure on the muscles, which can lead to increased pressure on the discs between the vertebrae.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can cause the following:
- the presence of bad habits;
- Scoliosis and uneven posture;
- genetic factors;
- lack of liquidity;
- Frequent strenuous physical activity;
- suffered a spinal cord injury;
- Huge stress and mental stress.
Thoracic discs are similarly affected by increased levels of physical activity and physical inactivity.
symptom
In the case of the development of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, its symptoms are manifest. In this case treatment should be started immediately. The symptoms of this disease are:
- Acute pain in the thoracic spine that occurs after prolonged holding in one position. Pain can also occur in situations of sudden movement and from lifting heavy objects.
- There is pressure on the back and chest. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine causes difficulty breathing - deep inhalation/exhalation becomes painful.
- In the presence of thoracic spondylosis, symptoms such as numbness in certain parts of the body can occur. This is appropriate because the nerve roots emerging from the spinal cord are damaged.
- If a person has osteochondrosis of the thoracic vertebrae, he cannot turn his body sharply, nor can he extend his arms to lift it. All these actions are very painful.
- Dull pain in the shoulder blades (most often between them).
- Feet are often cold because their blood supply is insufficient due to the violation of certain bodily functions.
- There is a state of chills and "goose bumps".
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis depend on the degree of neglect of the disease. In addition, the disease causes the functioning of other systems in the body to collapse. Therefore, osteochondrosis sometimes also presents with the following symptoms:
- the appearance of intercostal neuralgia;
- burning/itching feet;
- bloating, constipation or diarrhea, nausea/heartburn;
- The skin begins to peel and the nails become thin and brittle due to impaired blood vessel function;
- Difficulty working with the reproductive/reproductive system;
- Occasionally significant hypoxia.
In thoracic osteochondrosis, acute and prolonged pain is appropriate, it appears in attacks. As the disease progresses, the symptoms become very bright. At this time, the intervertebral disc is under a lot of pressure. In most cases, patients are shown hospital treatment options. Additionally, a person has the following symptoms:
- pancreatitis;
- Urolithiasis;
- cholecystitis.
It is important to note that thoracic osteochondrosis does not cause hypothermia or increase.
Back pain and back pain
Thoracic osteochondrosis often presents with symptoms such as vertebral syndrome, including: back pain and back pain.
Dorasol is known as sudden onset of acute pain in the thoracic spine. Usually, those who have to maintain the same position for long periods of time, such as sitting, face this morbidity. It is usually felt when a person stands up from a desk after working in a constant body position for a long time. Dorsago pain is sometimes unbearable. It happens that the motion possibilities in the lumbo-thoracic/cervical region are limited.
As for back pain, the development of this syndrome does not occur immediately and takes several weeks. Back pain is characterized by mild pain and discomfort in the damaged part of the spine. The pain increases if you take a deep breath and lean your body to the sides or forward.
Muscle tissue is tense, and furthermore, movement in the lumbo-thoracic/cervical region is restricted. Usually, the pain becomes very intense at night, and in the morning, if you walk for 10 minutes, all the pain will go away on its own.
What other pain syndromes exist with thoracic osteochondrosis?
This disorder may also have other pain syndromes that may complicate correct diagnosis. If the disease has spread to the upper thoracic segment of the chest, thoracic osteochondrosis pain in the esophagus, pharynx area and a "throat lump" sensation can occur. Chondropathy affecting the mid-thorax can cause discomfort under the cartilage on the right side.
If the disease affects the lower chest area, pain is observed in the abdominal cavity, which is very similar to the sensation produced by intestinal lesions.
It should be noted that any relationship between the occurrence of thoracic osteochondrosis pain and the level of food quality consumed and the human diet is not traceable. Furthermore, the appearance of pain was independent of the time of year. But the pain of osteochondrosis in the chest area can get worse near the evening and after strenuous exercise. In the morning, as usual, any discomfort will go away or lessen.
complication
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is dangerous because it is difficult to diagnose. For a long time, angina or respiratory problems could be treated without suspicion of the presence of this unpleasant disorder.
If we continue talking about the complications caused by thoracic osteochondrosis, over time this disease can lead to various problems affecting the internal organs.
The most common complications can be referred to as diseases related to the cardiovascular system. These problems are caused by stimulation of receptors in the chest and neck area.
Sometimes observed:
- Duodenal dysfunction;
- Gastrointestinal diseases;
- There are such pathologies as gallbladder dyskinesia.
Is there a need to justify the importance of prompt initiation of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis?
Diagnostic measures
After a thorough examination of the patient, treatment of the chest should begin. It involves the following procedures:
- The patient is examined and all his observations about the course of the disease are recorded. If the disease reaches stages 2-3, the bones become significantly deformed. Physicians are obliged to take the patient's medical history to rule out/confirm a genetic factor in the development of thoracic osteochondrosis.
- Analysis through urine and blood is necessary.
- X-rays can be used to determine:
- presence and size of osteophytes;
- Determine the height/contour of the intervertebral disc.
- the size/location of the hernia;
- The presence of disk shape changes.
- Discography will provide an opportunity to consider the outline of the nucleus pulposus. This process uses contrast.
- CT scan. This study was rarely used because patients were heavily irradiated during this study.
- Electrocardiogram. Since the symptoms of sternochondropathy are similar to ischemic heart disease, this research method was used to validate the diagnosis.
chest treatment
Before organizing the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, it is necessary to understand in principle why this disease occurs. In some people, osteomalacia develops as a result of an inactive lifestyle, while in others, there has been an injury to the spine and, as a result, the blood supply process is disrupted. Therefore, the reasons why the development of diseases such as osteochondrosis in the thoracic region becomes appropriate are enormous.
In any case, effective treatment of thoracic osteomalacia does not consist only in the use of drugs with analgesic properties, which are designed to neutralize the pain as the disease worsens. In addition, the primary cause of the disease needs to be identified. Treatment of this disease needs to be taken seriously.
In addition, the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis with the help of drugs should be combined with physical therapy, remembering that small loads are beneficial.
medical treatement
In the treatment of exacerbation, bed rest must be adhered to, and drugs with analgesic effect and other drugs that are effective for the disease must be taken.
Pain syndrome is relieved by medication during the initial stages of disease development. Tablets and painkiller injections relieve moderate-intensity pain. Painkillers are prescribed along with drugs to reduce inflammation and to restore cartilage tissue.
The choice of drugs required for bone tissue regeneration is made on an individual basis. Physicians need to consider the patient's biological characteristics and disease course in each case. Therefore, treating thoracic osteochondrosis with medication involves taking the following medications:
- Analgesics eliminate acute pain in the chest area, causing respiratory dysfunction and causing a lot of discomfort during exercise.
- Pills to relieve muscle spasms.
- Preparations containing large amounts of B vitamins.
- A natural remedy for preserving fluid in the intervertebral discs that has spread to osteochondrosis.
effective practice
People facing the problem of thoracic osteochondrosis need exercises that have a positive impact on the spine. A well-choreographed list of simple tasks will eliminate acute pain. By the way, breathing training for diseases such as osteomalacia can also have an effect and reduce the number of episodes. The following exercises are recommended:
- Planks are a good form of exercise in the setting of this disease, but no more than 1. 5 minutes of exercise is recommended, while gradually increasing the load on the thoracic spine.
- Hang as much as possible on the horizontal bar, then increase your practice time.
- Conversely, in the "plank" position, you need to press your knees against your chest and hold this position for a few seconds. This preventive measure is useful for joints and reduces pressure on the chest area in osteochondrosis.
For the treatment of pathology, it is best to use exercise therapy and other physical therapy methods, while receiving medical supervision in a hospital. Such exercises do not cause any inconvenience as the patient performs simple and effective manipulations to eliminate osteochondrosis in the chest area. This treatment is one of the important factors in preventing the disease in high-risk groups.
manual therapy
The help of a chiropractor in the form of massaging any part of the spine for osteochondrosis increases efficiency and significantly improves the health of the patient. Processing like this:
- Prevent pain during back pain;
- Reduces tension in muscle tissue.
Furthermore, manual therapy is an excellent opportunity to normalize intercostal systemic circulation, determine proper tissue nutrition, and stimulate better oxygen saturation.
In the case of chest pain (which is also a type of pain syndrome), this therapy can also be used, but only as prescribed by a doctor.
massage
Massage is a great way to treat osteochondrosis, even in the hospital and even at home. This program:
- Eliminate hypertonicity of the back muscles;
- Helps strengthen the body of the discs.
If massage is part of a general therapy for osteochondrosis, it can significantly shorten the time to full recovery if the patient is diagnosed with acute osteochondrosis in the thoracic region. Often, it is recommended to combine therapeutic physical activity with chiropractor treatment along with various therapeutic massages.
What to do with inflammation of thoracic vertebral osteochondritis?
Worsening of osteochondrosis can cause physical overload (exercise, hard work), hypothermia, severe stress or fatigue, heavy lifting.
In the case of worsening rickets, a person experiences excruciating pain that is unrealistic to eliminate at home with the help of painkillers. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to call an ambulance.
If the pain is not that intense and tolerable, the use of pain medication is not advisable, as it complicates the doctor's task of making an appropriate diagnosis. For osteochondrosis in the chest area, you cannot self-medicate - it is bad for your health.
Osteopathy usually enters the acute phase after:
- stressful situations;
- physical exertion;
- low temperature.
In order to eliminate the process of deterioration of osteochondrosis as soon as possible, you should heed the following suggestions:
- The patient should remain on bed rest (avoid any activity as much as possible);
- It is best to have a comprehensive diet and eat right;
- The patient is in a position that should not cause him pain;
- Medications required: pain relievers and drugs to relieve muscle spasms;
- Performing physiotherapy procedures will not be superfluous;
- Exercise therapy is of great significance in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis. Of course, all exercises must be done with great care.
prevention
In order to prevent the occurrence of spinal diseases (osteochondrosis in different departments), you should pay attention to the following tips:
- Don't sit still: sign up for a pool, schedule a morning run, and warm up your muscles;
- If you are in one position during work activities (for example, you are working in an office), try to keep your back aligned and your shoulders relaxed at all times;
- Sitting work should be done entirely in a chair that supports the spine;
- buy orthopaedic pillows and mattresses - so that the spine is in the correct position during sleep;
- Do not carry a lot of heavy objects, and try not to lift them suddenly if necessary;
- twitch your abdominal muscles;
- your shoes should not cause discomfort when worn;
- Form your diet in such a way that it contains as many useful trace elements as possible and is fortified.
No one is immune to conditions such as thoracic osteochondrosis. If you suddenly notice the presence of the first manifestations of the disease, then you should see a doctor immediately - after all, it is easier to prevent osteochondrosis than to treat it for a long time.
If you follow all the above suggestions, the chances of experiencing this disease are very small.
Additional Tips
Obviously, in order to avoid any problems with the spine, it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations related to a healthy lifestyle.
If your job is sedentary, it's worth scheduling a break every hour and, if possible, to warm up. Swimming is very effective in preventing thoracic osteochondrosis. A balanced diet will not be superfluous.
It's worth exercising in your free time by exercising every morning as a precaution.
Essentially, thoracic osteochondrosis poses no danger, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications. It is important to organize the treatment of osteochondrosis in time to avoid other spinal problems in the future, because in our body all systems and organs are interconnected - keep this in mind.
Everyone wants to live without pain and not limit themselves because of the presence of any disease. Therefore, if this problem still surprises you, it is very important to detect and treat osteochondrosis in time.
Many people who encounter thoracic osteochondrosis, who respond to the disease and receive treatment at the right time, have forgotten what osteochondrosis is and what symptoms it has. Don't procrastinate either!
Even better, the disease can be prevented. Just live an active lifestyle!