Thoracic osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the chest is a rather dangerous pathology, the diagnostic process of which is difficult, so the disease is often recognized only in its advanced stages. Initially, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered a disease of the elderly, but in recent years the disease has shown a clear "younger" trend. Therefore, understanding its main symptoms and treatment methods is very important to improve the clinical level. Pictures of the disease. The difficulty in diagnosis is due to the fact that the vertebrae located in the chest area are least susceptible to stress and damage. However, limited mobility does not guarantee safety, and pathological changes are common in this department. 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 tissue structure. As a result, destruction of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc may occur, with consequent herniation of the nucleus pulposus. This condition is dangerous because there is a risk of spinal cord compression and further disability of the person. Progression of the disease during childhood can lead to premature aging of the musculoskeletal system even before its final formation. Therefore, it is extremely important to promptly diagnose pathology at an early stage before destruction of the vertebrae and adjacent tissues has occurred.

Clinical symptoms

Depending on the stage, the disease manifests itself in completely different ways. Therefore, we will focus on the general symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest:

• pain. It happens not only when performing any movement, but also when remaining in a static position for a long period of time.
• Movement is stiff and prevents the body from rotating freely.
• Difficulty breathing due to a strong feeling of pressure in the center of the back.
• Functional problems of the gastrointestinal tract and other internal organs.

The disease often presents with pain on the left side of the chest, which can be interpreted as a symptom of heart disease. This complicates diagnosis, but the specialist assesses the totality of all the patient's complaints so that all existing symptoms can be correctly interpreted. Knowing what the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are, you can seek qualified help promptly. We recommend that you pay more attention to the signals your body is sending.When diagnosing, it is important to understand the manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis because the disease is insidious and can easily be confused with other conditions. Depending on the nature of the pain, we can distinguish the main types of osteochondrosis. One condition is characterized by long-term pain in damaged areas of the spine, and the second is characterized by acute attacks that actually hinder a person's movement and complicate respiratory function.

disease cause

The following causes of thoracic osteochondrosis can be identified:

• Pathological processes that negatively affect the structure of the intervertebral disc. In particular, this disease has a certain genetic predisposition.
• Lack of activities related to work functions and leisure activities.
• Scoliosis, which causes increased pressure in certain areas of the spine.
• Mechanical injury to the chest.
• Strength training that involves lifting heavy objects.
• There are often stressful situations.
• Hypothermia of the body.
• Lack of calcium.
• hormone imbalance.

Disease classification

Intervertebral osteochondrosis develops in stages, each stage having its own negative manifestations:

• Level one.The initial stage is characterized by a loss of water from the intervertebral discs. The elasticity is reduced and low-intensity pain occurs, which completely disappears when the person assumes a comfortable position.
• Second degree.The moisture in the disc continues to drain. As a result, it becomes smaller and develops cracks, some of which are very deep. The muscle corset tries to adapt, trying to maintain the stability of the spine, which can cause spasms and pretty severe pain in the back, chest, and extremities.
• Three degrees.At this stage, the nucleus pulposus is observed to break through to the outside. At its core is an intervertebral hernia, with pain that persists throughout the day. A person is forced to change the type of his activities so that the unpleasant feelings will be less intense.
• Four degrees.Extension of thoracic osteochondrosis is dangerous because severe reorganization of all tissues begins at the site of injury. The annulus tissue is naturally replaced by bone, which causes severe stiffness in movement. The appearance of osteophytes and spinal deformation were also observed.

Deterioration period

The acute phase of thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by paroxysmal pain, which is extremely difficult to relieve with existing methods. Self-medication is not acceptable at this stage, so you should immediately consult a doctor or call an emergency number for pain relief. Only a neurologist can correctly interpret your complaint and recommend appropriate further testing and treatment. Relieving the patient during an exacerbation is extremely important. Several factors may contribute to worsening of the disease, including stressful conditions, hypothermia, and activities associated with intense stress. In this case, the patient's health deteriorates significantly, breathing may become difficult and activities may be limited. In some cases, hospitalization may be required.

Basic diagnostic methods

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are pain in various locations, stiffness of movement, and difficulty breathing. The difficulty with diagnosis is that a large number of disorders of varying nature fit this description. In particular, there is such a concept - "gastropathy syndrome", which is characterized by pain in the upper abdomen and can easily be mistaken for gastritis or other gastrointestinal diseases. Only modern diagnostic methods can make an accurate diagnosis, on the basis of which neurologists formulate appropriate treatment. It all starts with a detailed interview of the patient, identifying existing complaints and concomitant diseases. After collecting the medical records, the doctor will proceed directly to the examination with special tests. The patient must then undergo 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, identifying existing pathology, the size and location of the hernia (if any).

How does the treatment process work?

It is important to know how to treat osteochondrosis of the chest. After diagnosis, the doctor will develop an individualized treatment plan for the patient. It is necessary to take into account age and the presence of concomitant diseases, as well as allergies to certain drugs. In the first stage, treatment is carried out with various drugs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antispasmodics. The main goal of this phase is to relieve the patient's condition and reduce pain and spasm in the muscle tissue. In particularly severe cases, when immediate relief of acute pain is needed, narcotic blockers are used. Topical medications in the form of ointments and gels are also available, but are less effective due to difficulty in delivering the active substance to the lesion. In general, the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is a comprehensive approach using a combination of techniques. Only such treatment can bring about a one-time positive result, but over time the clinical symptoms will improve.

physiotherapy

Therapeutic exercise is performed after pain relief. It is important to perform all movements slowly and avoid sudden movements to prevent the condition from worsening. Remember, if exercise causes pain, stop immediately and consult a doctor.

massage therapy

Muscle spasms, hypertonia, pain—this is what the disease shows. To eliminate these symptoms, massage can be used but should be performed by a qualified professional. These procedures are not only used for therapeutic purposes but also serve as good preventive measures.

prevention

The consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis are less severe if you follow certain medical recommendations closely. If a specialist prescribes bed rest for you, you should not ignore this under any circumstances, otherwise your condition may worsen. A person must limit his physical activity, so he must refuse to go to the gym or perform weight training. An important component of primary prevention is prompt identification of individuals with initial symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis during physical examination. Another equally important point is proper nutrition, which includes avoiding certain foods. It is necessary to limit the intake of salt, so bacon, various spicy spices and pickles must be eliminated from the diet.

It is important to use chondroprotective drugs to slow the progression of thoracic osteochondrosis, nourish and improve the metabolic processes of cartilage tissue.

Thoracic osteochondrosis is treatable. To do this, you must strictly follow your doctor's recommendations and adhere to the established treatment plan. Initial thoracic osteochondrosis is best treated, so it is extremely important to pay more attention to your body and respond to the mildest symptoms of the disease. To avoid possible recurrence, you need to take preventive measures and monitor your posture, which is especially important when working sedentary. Contact only a qualified doctor, as only they can develop an effective treatment plan and further recovery.