Symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

Thoracic vertebral osteochondrosis is one of the most common spinal disorders in humans, affecting the intervertebral discs and causing degenerative dystrophic changes in the spine.

In osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity and cannot function as a shock absorber. The disc will thin, delaminate and warp. The nucleus pulposus is reduced, the devaluation function becomes impossible or minimized, the annulus fibrosus loses elasticity and gradually collapses, which can lead to the formation of intervertebral herniation.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can cause displacement of the vertebrae and compression of nerve roots, which can affect the function of internal organs and extremities.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region occurs much less frequently because the physiology of the chest region is less mobile than the neck and chest regions.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occurs mostly in people over the age of 40, but it can also occur in young adults and children. The cause of this disease can be a congenital problem with the spine or a poor metabolism.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis appear at different stages of disease development. What you need to pay attention to in order to diagnose the disease and develop a treatment plan in a timely manner.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is often confused with other diseases, the pathology of which is known as chameleon.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic vertebrae is a slow-growing disease with some special symptoms at different stages that require your attention so that the disease can be diagnosed and treatment can be started in time.

There are 4 stages of the disease, and the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis vary.

Stage 1

The first stage of the disease is characterized by the inner cleft of the annulus fibrosus, through which the nucleus pulposus penetrates. First-degree osteochondrosis can cause the following symptoms:

• Pain in the thoracic region. This is the first sign of changes in the body. Chest pain with osteochondrosis affects only the spinal area. Unpleasant pain sensations after physical exertion, monotonous work, or inactivity. Often, patients attribute this feeling to general fatigue and overwork, but in fact - it's an opportunity to turn to a doctor for examination;
• Muscle firing and small spastic contractions in the heart area. This often results in pinching of small nerve endings and blood vessels as the disc begins to deform. The cause may be severe chest pain or convulsions. They pass quickly but appear after the next load on the spine.

Stage 2

Secondary thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by lesions in the spine that result in hypermobility of the vertebrae. The discs lose their original structure and shape, and each vertebra has the potential for poor motor control. This condition can cause the following symptoms:

• There is a vertebral subluxation in the chest. Subluxation is accompanied by constant pain, like a muscle chill. The patient temporarily loses the ability to move completely and turn left and right;
• Pain when walking or doing nothing. Prolonged walking or reading while the body is in one position can aggravate the pain of thoracic osteochondrosis.

Stage 3

Degree 3 thoracic vertebral osteochondrosis causes more complex changes, manifested by rupture of the annulus fibrosus and outlet of the nucleus pulposus, forming an intervertebral hernia. These changes can lead to the following symptoms:

• Compress the nerve root. Hernias can seriously affect bodily functions. It all depends on which vertebra the ring ruptures between. Problems may arise with the work of the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, and digestive tract. If a hernia forms between the 1st and 2nd thoracic vertebrae, the hands and fingers can endure or even be injured.
• Squeeze the spinal cord. Trapping the spinal cord in the spinal canal can lead to irreversible consequences and even disability;
• Tight chest muscles. Pathological processes in the spine that cause constant tension in the muscles and ligaments that support the movement of the chest;
• The development of kyphosis or scoliosis. Thoracic osteochondrosis can lead to pathological changes in the spine in the form of kyphosis or scoliosis. The spine may deform in the affected area and become immobile.

Stage 4

Symptoms of stage 4 osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are exacerbated, and the patient may stoop and be often depressed. Patients often worry about long-term distressing pain. Decreased work capacity and fatigue soon after a small amount of physical exertion. Stage 4 thoracic osteochondrosis can cause deviations in the working of internal organs.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis are the same in men and women, as one or more of the symptoms of poor thoracic spine health or pain requires specialist help.

What causes osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine to develop. In order to avoid the symptoms and treatment of this dangerous disease, attention should be paid to which moments in a person's life.

Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis

The main reason for the development of the pathology is the lack of physical exercise, so the muscles and ligaments that support the work of the chest area weaken and the load on the spine increases.

But in addition to poor physical fitness, the reasons may be:

1. Genetic and congenital problems of the spine. Spinal problems can start at birth. Birth trauma (difficult birth or medical error) and genetic susceptibility to pathology of the infant contribute to the emergence of the disease. If the parents have osteochondrosis, under favorable conditions, the child will also suffer from the disease.
2. wrong posture. Posture needs to be monitored from an early age. School-aged children may be prone to scoliosis, which later develops osteochondrosis and other changes in the spine. Adults shouldn't forget proper posture either. Osteochondrosis of the chest can develop if you don't pay attention to the position of your spine while working, walking, reading, and sitting in front of a computer. It's important to keep your back straight at all times, walk without leaning forward or backward, and avoid prolonged bent positions. How to maintain posture correctly, you can ask questions on online resources by viewing training photos.

3. Nervousness. Nervousness always has a bad effect on people's health and can lead to serious diseases. Stressful situations can lead to muscle stiffness and poor metabolism. So it's worth reconsidering your attitude towards certain aspects of your life and protecting yourself from the irritants as much as possible.
4. trauma. Injuries to the back and chest can lead to osteochondrosis. It is important to treat even minor injuries promptly, while not allowing self-medication, but always consulting a specialist.
5. Wear heavy weights and high heels. It is known that every centimeter of high heels puts a load of 7 to 10 kilograms on the spine. If women are already prone to spinal disorders, then they should give up high heels or minimize wearing them. Pregnant women are at risk because the load on the spine is very high and uneven during the last months of pregnancy. After giving birth to a child, new mothers should seek medical attention in time to check the spine to prevent lesions.
6. Metabolic disease. Degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc are often caused by nutritional deficiencies, which are caused by disruption of metabolic processes. In order to normalize your metabolism, you must first consult a doctor and find out what causes such diseases.
7. Infection and hypothermia. Infectious diseases in the body that are not treated in time will not only manifest 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 calf of the spine.

What is the treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis. What needs to be done to relieve symptoms and treat the disease.

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

After a comprehensive examination and diagnosis of the extent of the disease, the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis should be carried out only under the supervision of an experienced specialist.

Symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis are determined by a neuropathologist, and in extreme cases, a surgeon and neurosurgeon joins the treatment.

To treat the disease more effectively and quickly at an early stage, but for this you need to consult your doctor promptly. It is important to understand that the longer the pathology develops, the more consequences need to be eliminated, which will affect the economic cost and duration of treatment.

With prompt medical attention, spinal deformities can be avoided with the help of vitamins and physical activity. For this, the doctor will issue a special booklet with pictures showing all the exercises. It is important to immediately consider the photo and ask the doctor all questions about proper execution. The first session is best done under the supervision of a doctor.

Treating Osteochondrosis of the Breast with Drugs

First, after the disease is diagnosed, a doctor will prescribe a treatment that eliminates the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.

First, the neuropathologist eliminates the pain syndrome with the help of drugs, and then directs treatment.

Medications for osteochondrosis:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. With the help of anti-inflammatory drugs, chest pain is relieved.
2. Diuretics. Diuretics are prescribed in cases of swollen nerve roots. Diuretics reduce swelling, thereby improving blood supply to the affected area.
3. A vitamin used to nourish nerve tissue.
4. chondroprotective agent. With the help of chondroprotective agents, they tried to restore the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc.
5. Antispasmodics reduce the pain syndrome by relieving spasms in tense muscles and increasing mobility in the chest area.

Symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis do not always lead to positive outcomes, so if medical treatment has no effect, then doctors offer surgical solutions to the problem.

Physical therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis

Physical therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis is an effective treatment for the disease.

This is because in such a procedure, the drug is injected only into the affected area of the spine.

Muscle and ligament pain, inflammation and tension are relieved with the help of physical therapy.

Physiotherapy sessions should only be performed by experienced physiotherapists. Properly performed procedures will bring the desired results and speed up the healing process.

Acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of thoracic vertebral osteochondrosis

This Chinese method of treating many diseases is based on introducing special needles into the affected area.

With acupuncture, they can tone the muscles and restore them to their former function. The needles are placed strictly according to the growth of certain muscles, so you should not do this procedure at home, guided by photos or videos on the Internet.

The number of operations is determined by the specialist based on the tightness of the muscle fibers. Acupuncture is painless and restores muscle tone in a short period of time in the hands of specially trained masters.