Thoracic osteochondrosis is a rather dangerous pathology, which is explained by the difficult process of diagnosing it, so it is often possible to identify the disease only in advanced stages. Initially, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine was considered a disease of older people, but recently there has been a certain tendency towards a significant "rejuvenation" of this disease, so it is important to know the main symptoms and treatment in order to improve the clinical picture of the disease. The difficulty of diagnosis is due to the fact that the vertebrae located in the thoracic region are the least susceptible to stress and injury. 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.
Specifics of the disease
This disease is characterized by pathological processes that lead to negative changes in the structure of tissues. As a result of this, destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc may occur, and, as a result, protrusion of the nucleus pulposus. This condition is dangerous because there is a risk of compression of the spinal cord 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 formation. That is why, timely diagnosis of pathology in the early stages, when destruction of the vertebrae and adjacent tissues has not yet occurred, is extremely important.
Clinical symptoms
This disease manifests itself in completely different ways, depending on the stage. Therefore, we will highlight the general symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region:
- Pain. It can occur not only when performing any actions, but also when staying in static positions for a long time.
- Stiffness of movement, preventing free rotation of the body.
- Difficulty breathing caused by a feeling of strong pressure in the middle of the back.
- Problems with 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 cardiac pathologies. This complicates the diagnosis, but the specialist evaluates the totality of all the patient’s complaints, which allows for a correct interpretation of all existing symptoms. Knowing what symptoms there are for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, you can promptly seek qualified help. We advise you to be more attentive to the signals 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 pain, we can distinguish the main types of osteochondrosis. One condition is characterized by prolonged pain in the damaged area of the spine, and the second is characterized by the occurrence of acute attacks that literally hinder a person’s movements, complicating his respiratory functions.
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 associated with the performance of one’s work functions and leisure activities.
- Scoliosis, which causes increased stress on certain areas of the spine.
- Mechanical damage to the chest.
- Strength training involving lifting large loads.
- 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 when moisture loss occurs in the intervertebral disc. Elasticity decreases, pain of low intensity appears, which completely disappears when the person takes a comfortable position.
- Second degree.The loss of moisture in the disc continues. As a result, it becomes smaller and cracks appear, some of them quite deep. The muscular corset tries to adapt, trying to maintain the stability of the spine, which leads to spasms and quite severe pain in the back, chest and limbs.
- Third degree. At this stage, a breakthrough of the nucleus pulposus to the outside is observed. At its core, it is an intervertebral hernia, in which pain persists throughout the day. A person is forced to change his type of 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 to occur at the site of damage. There is a natural replacement of the fibrous ring tissue with bone, which leads to severe stiffness of movement. The appearance of osteophytes and spinal deformation are also 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 you should immediately consult a doctor or call emergency help to relieve pain. Only a neurologist can correctly interpret your complaints and prescribe appropriate further examination and treatment. During an exacerbation, it is extremely important to alleviate the patient's condition. Exacerbation of the disease can be caused by various factors, including stressful situations, hypothermia, and activities associated with intense stress. In this condition, there is a significant deterioration in the patient’s well-being, breathing may become difficult, and mobility may be limited. In some cases, hospitalization in a hospital may be required.
Basic diagnostic methods
Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are the appearance of pain in different locations, stiffness of movement, and difficulty breathing. The difficulty of diagnosis lies in the fact that a huge number of diseases of various nature fit this description. In particular, there is such a concept - "gastrological syndrome", which is characterized by the occurrence of pain in the epigastrium, which 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, identifying existing complaints and concomitant diseases. After collecting an anamnesis, the doctor proceeds directly to the examination itself with special tests. The patient must then undergo the necessary laboratory tests, as well as x-rays and MRIs. Magnetic resonance imaging allows you to study the condition of the spine in more detail, identify 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 for 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 concomitant ailments, as well as allergies to certain drugs. At the first stage, treatment is carried out using various medications: 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 immediate relief of acute pain is necessary, anesthetic blockades are used. Local agents in the form of ointments and gels can also be used, but their effectiveness is somewhat lower, due to the difficulty of delivering active substances to the lesions. In general, treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a comprehensive approach that combines the use of several techniques. Only such therapy can give not a one-time positive result, but an improvement in the clinical picture over time.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic exercise is carried out after pain relief. 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 you pain, you should stop immediately and consult a doctor.
Massage treatments
Muscle spasms, hypertonicity, pain – this is how the disease manifests itself. To eliminate these symptoms, massage can be used, which should be performed by a qualified professional. These procedures can be used not only for therapeutic purposes, but also as a good preventative 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, then under no circumstances should you ignore this, otherwise your condition may worsen. A person must 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 the timely identification of individuals during medical examinations who have initial signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. 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 will have to 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 metabolic processes in cartilage tissue.
Thoracic spinal osteochondrosis can be treated. To make this possible, you must strictly follow the recommendations of your doctor, as well as adhere to the established treatment regimen. Initial osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is best treated, so it is extremely important to be more attentive to your body, responding to the slightest 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 sedentarily. Contact only qualified doctors, because only they can prescribe a competent treatment regimen and further recovery.