Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is rarely observed in comparison with the frequency of diseases such as chondrosis of the lower back and neck. Osteochondrosis of the chest has certain signs and requires appropriate therapy, like any other disease.
The thoracic region is characterized by a special structure: it includes more discs than the lumbar and cervical regions in total, and its discs are smaller and very thin. The mobility of this department is very low, and most of the load falls on the sternum and ribs.
The appearance of pain of varying degrees during heavy loads or during sudden movements, as is often the case with lumbar or cervical osteochondrosis, is not observed at all, while complications related to the suspected development of cardiovascular diseases or respiratory function disorders become the most important.
Reasons
Mostly, osteochondrosis of the chest begins to develop due to physical inactivity, that is, with a lack of stress on the muscles, which causes an increase in stress on the discs located between the vertebrae.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can cause the following conditions:
- Presence of bad habits;
- Scoliosis and uneven posture;
- hereditary factors;
- lack of mobility;
- Frequent heavy physical activity;
- Suffered spinal injuries;
- Great stress and mental strain.
The intervertebral discs of the thoracic vertebrae are equally affected by an increased level of physical activity and physical inactivity.
Symptoms
In the case of the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, its symptoms are quite noticeable. Treatment in such circumstances should be started immediately. Symptoms of the disease are:
- The presence of acute pain in the thoracic spine, which occurs after a long stay in one position. Pain also occurs in the case of sudden movements and due to lifting objects that are heavy.
- There is pressure in both the back and the chest. Thoracic osteochondrosis causes difficulty in breathing - it becomes painful to take a deep breath / exhale.
- In the presence of chondrosis of the thoracic spine, there is such a symptom as numbness of certain areas of the body. This is appropriate due to damage to the nerve roots that exit the spinal cord.
- If a person has osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, then he is unable to turn his body sharply, or stretch out his arm and raise it. All such actions are very painful.
- The presence of dull pain in the shoulder blades (most often between them).
- The feet are usually cold, because there is not enough blood due to the violation of some bodily functions.
- The state of chills and "urchins" occurs.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest are determined by the degree of neglect of the disease. In addition, such a disease can lead to malfunction of other systems in the human body. Therefore, osteochondrosis sometimes manifests itself with such symptoms:
- Occurrence of intercostal neuralgia;
- Burning sensation / itching on the feet;
- Bloating, constipation or diarrhea, nausea/heartburn;
- Due to violation of the function of blood vessels, the skin begins to peel, and the nails become thin and brittle;
- There are difficulties in the work of the reproductive/reproductive system;
- Sometimes there is a noticeable lack of oxygen.
With thoracic osteochondrosis, acute and long-lasting pain, which occurs in attacks, is appropriate. In case of worsening of the disease, the symptoms become extremely clear. At this time, the intervertebral discs are subjected to great stress. In most cases, the patient is shown a hospital regimen. In addition, the person has symptoms:
- pancreatitis;
- Urolithiasis;
- cholecystitis.
It is important to note that osteochondrosis of the chest does not cause either a decrease or an increase in body temperature.
Dorsago and dorsalgia
Often there are such signs of thoracic osteochondrosis as vertebral syndromes, including: dorsalgia and dorsago.
Doraso is called acute pain in the thoracic spine that occurs suddenly. As a rule, such pathology is faced by those who have to stay in the same position for a long time, for example, sitting. It is often felt when a person gets up from the table after working for a long time in an unchanged body position. Dorsago pain is sometimes unbearable. It happens that the possibility of movement in the lumbothoracic / cervical region is limited.
As for dorsalgia, the development of this syndrome does not occur immediately, it takes several weeks. Dorsalgia is characterized by the presence of mild pain and discomfort in the part of the spine that is damaged. The pain intensifies if you take a deep breath and lean your body to the side or forward.
There is tension in the muscle tissue, and in addition there are limitations of movement in the lumbothoracic/cervical regions. As a rule, the pain becomes very strong in the evening, and in the morning all painful sensations disappear by themselves if you walk for 10 minutes.
What other pain syndromes exist in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region?
Such a disease can also have other painful syndromes that can complicate the correct diagnosis. Pain in thoracic osteochondrosis in the area of the esophagus, pharynx and the feeling of a "lump in the throat" occur if the disease has affected the upper thoracic segment of the chest. Chondrosis affecting the middle thoracic segment causes discomfort under the hypochondrium on the right side.
If the disease affects the lower thoracic part, then pain is observed in the abdominal cavity, which is very similar to the sensations that occur in intestinal pathologies.
It should be noted that it is not possible to trace any relationship between the occurrence of pain in osteochondrosis of the chest with the level of quality of food consumed and human nutrition. In addition, the onset of pain has nothing to do with the season. But pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can increase closer to night and after heavy physical exertion. In the morning, as usual, all feelings of discomfort disappear or decrease.
Complications
Thoracic osteochondrosis is dangerous because it is difficult to diagnose. For a long time, it is possible to treat angina pectoris or respiratory diseases without suspecting the presence of this unpleasant disease.
If we continue to talk about the complications caused by osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, over time, developing, this disease can cause the appearance of various problems that affect the internal organs.
The most common complication can be called a disease related to the cardiovascular system. Such problems arise due to irritation of the receptors in the thoracic and cervical region.
Sometimes observed:
- Disorders in the function of the duodenum;
- Disorders in the digestive tract;
- There is such a pathology as dyskinesia of the gallbladder.
Is there a need to prove the importance of timely treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis?
Diagnostic measures
Treatment of the thoracic region should be started after a comprehensive examination of the patient. It includes the following procedures:
- The patient is examined, and all his observations regarding the course of the disease are recorded. If the disease reaches stage 2-3, the skeleton is noticeably deformed. The doctor is obliged to take the patient's history in order to exclude/confirm hereditary factors for the development of osteochondrosis of the chest.
- Urine and blood are required for analysis.
- X-rays can be used to determine:
- Presence and size of osteophytes;
- Determine the height/contours of the intervertebral discs.
- Hernia size/location;
- The presence of changes in the shape of the disc.
- Discography will provide an opportunity to see the outline of the nucleus pulposus. This procedure uses contrast.
- CT scanner. This study is used extremely rarely, because during this study the patient is heavily irradiated.
- Electrocardiography. Since the symptoms of thoracic chondrosis are similar to ischemic heart disease, this research method is used to verify this diagnosis.
Chest treatment
Before organizing the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest, it is necessary to understand why this disease appeared in principle. In some, chondrosis appeared due to an insufficiently mobile lifestyle, while others were once injured in the spine and, as a result, blood supply processes were disturbed. So, the reasons for which the development of such a disease as osteochondrosis of the thoracic region became suitable are a huge number.
In any case, effective therapy for chondrosis of the chest consists not only of the use of drugs that have an analgesic effect, designed to neutralize pain in case of exacerbation of the disease. In addition, it is necessary to identify the root cause of the disease. A serious attitude towards the treatment of this disease is needed.
Also, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region with the help of drugs should be combined with physiotherapy, bearing in mind that lower loads are beneficial.
Drug treatment
To treat the disease during exacerbation, it is necessary to adhere to bed rest, take drugs that have an analgesic effect and other drugs that are effective in the fight against this disease.
Alleviation of the pain syndrome is achieved with drugs in the initial stages of the development of the disease. Painkillers and injections relieve moderate pain. Painkillers are prescribed together with drugs that relieve inflammation, with drugs that restore cartilage tissue.
The selection of drugs, the intake of which is necessary for the regeneration of bone tissue, is made on an individual basis. The doctor should take into account the characteristics of the organism and the course of the patient's disease in each individual case. So, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest with drugs includes taking these drugs:
- Analgesics for the elimination of acute pain in the thoracic region, causing disturbances in the work of the respiratory system and causing great discomfort during movement.
- Tablets that relieve muscle spasm.
- Preparations that contain a large amount of B vitamins.
- Medicines of natural origin for the preservation of fluid in the intervertebral discs, which have spread to osteochondrosis.
Effective exercises
People who face the problem of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region must perform exercises that have a positive effect on the spine. A well-written list of simple tasks will eliminate acute pain. By the way, breathing training with such a disease as chondrosis will also give its results and reduce the number of attacks. The following exercises are recommended:
- Plank is a good training in the case of this disease, while it is recommended to do this exercise for no longer than 1. 5 minutes with a gradual increase in the load on the thoracic spine.
- Hanging on the horizontal bar should be as often as possible, followed by adding time to the duration of the exercise.
- In the "plank" position, in turn, you need to press your knees to your chest and hold them in that position for a few seconds. Such a preventive measure is beneficial for the joints and reduces stress on the thoracic part in osteochondrosis.
For the treatment of pathology, it is best to use exercise therapy and other methods of physiotherapy, while at the same time being in a hospital under medical supervision. Such exercises do not cause any inconvenience, because the patient performs simple and effective manipulations to get rid of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Such therapy is one of the important elements for disease prevention in persons who are at risk.
Manual therapy
The help of a chiropractor in the form of massage for osteochondrosis of any part of the spine causes greater efficiency and significantly improves the patient's well-being. Such treatment:
- Prevents pain during dorsalgia;
- Reduces tension in muscle tissue.
In addition, manual therapy is an excellent opportunity to normalize systemic circulation in the intercostal space, to determine appropriate tissue nutrition and to stimulate better blood oxygen saturation.
In the case of pectalgia (this is also one of the types of painful syndrome), this kind of therapy is also applied, but only on the recommendation of a doctor.
Massages
Massage is a good therapy for osteochondrosis, even in the hospital, even at home. This procedure:
- Causes the elimination of back muscle hypertonus;
- It helps to strengthen the body of the intervertebral discs.
If massage is part of the general therapy against osteochondrosis, then it can significantly bring the moment of complete recovery closer, if the patient's diagnosis is acute osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. As a rule, various therapeutic massages are recommended simultaneously with chiropractor treatment in combination with therapeutic physical activity.
What to do if thoracic osteochondrosis is inflamed?
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis can be caused by physical overload (sports, hard work), hypothermia, severe stress or fatigue, lifting heavy objects.
In case of exacerbation of chondrosis, a person feels unbearable pain, which is unrealistic to remove at home independently with the help of painkillers. For this reason, in such cases it is necessary to call an ambulance.
If the pain is not so severe and can be tolerated, then the use of painkillers is undesirable, because it will make the task of the doctor more difficult in making a proper diagnosis. With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, you cannot self-medicate - it is dangerous for your health.
Often, chondrosis passes into an acute phase after:
- stressful situations;
- Great physical effort;
- Hypothermia.
In order to eliminate the process of deterioration of osteochondrosis as quickly as possible, you should follow these recommendations:
- The patient should adhere to rest in bed (as far as possible, avoid any movement);
- It is best to do a comprehensive diet and eat properly;
- The positions the patient takes should not cause him pain;
- There is a need to take medicines: painkillers and medicines to eliminate muscle spasms;
- It will not be superfluous to carry out physiotherapeutic manipulations;
- Exercise therapy is of great importance in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Of course, all exercises must be performed with great caution.
Prevention
To prevent the onset of spine disease (osteochondrosis of various departments), you should follow the following tips:
- Don't sit still: sign up for the pool, organize a morning run, warm up your muscles;
- If you are in one position during a work activity (for example, you work in an office), try to always straighten your back and relax your shoulders;
- Sitting work should be exclusively on a chair that supports the spine;
- Buy an orthopedic pillow and mattress - so that the spine will take the correct position during sleep;
- Do not carry a lot of weights, and if necessary, try not to lift them suddenly;
- Pump up your abs;
- Your shoes should not be uncomfortable to wear;
- Compose your diet in such a way that it contains as many useful microelements as possible and that it is enriched.
No one is protected from the occurrence of such a disease as osteochondrosis of the chest. If you suddenly notice the presence of the first manifestations of the disease, you should immediately visit a doctor - after all, it is easier to prevent osteochondrosis than to treat it much later.
If you follow all the above recommendations, then the probability of encountering this disease is minimal.
Additional tips
It is clear that in order to avoid any problems with the spine, it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations related to a healthy lifestyle.
If your work is sedentary, then every hour it is worth organizing a break and, if possible, a warm-up. Swimming is very effective in preventing osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. A balanced diet will not be superfluous.
Every day, for the purpose of prevention, it is worth doing exercises in the morning and playing sports in your free time.
Basically, thoracic osteochondrosis does not pose any danger, but it causes serious complications if you do not treat it. It is important to organize the treatment of osteochondrosis in a timely manner in order to avoid other problems with the spine in the future, because in our body all systems and organs are interconnected - remember this.
Every person wants to live without pain, not to be limited in anything due to the presence of any diseases. Therefore, it is important to recognize osteochondrosis in time and treat it if this problem has surprised you.
Many people who encountered osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, who responded to the disease at the right time and after starting its treatment, have already forgotten what osteochondrosis is and what symptoms it has. Don't even delay!
And even better, prevent the occurrence of this disease. Just lead an active lifestyle!