Dystrophic as well as degenerative processes occurring in the human spine usually lead to a disease such as osteochondrosis. This pathology can affect one segment of the ridge or the entire spine. Some parts of the spine are affected more often, some less often.
In the thoracic spine, vertebrae differ in strength, they are larger than others. In addition, in this part of the ridge there is less mobility, it is subjected to less tension and the muscles perfectly support the skeleton.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is much less commonly diagnosed. This pathology usually occurs with manifestations similar to the symptoms of many diseases and depending on the degree of destruction of the intervertebral discs is classified by degree.
Grade 1 thoracic osteochondrosis: symptoms
In patients suffering from the initial stage of thoracic osteochondrosis, there is a decrease in the elasticity of the discs between the vertebrae of the ridge. Possible protrusion of the fibrous ring.
In the initial stage of the disease, the following symptoms may be observed:
- the patient suffers from acute penetrating pain. Occurs after physical activity, exertion or lifting heavy objects. The pain is painful, constant, not intense, accompanied by lumbago;
- as a result of high load, an unexpected rupture of the capsule in the intervertebral disc occurs and cracks are formed. As a result, the nucleus penetrates through the cracks, irritating the nerves in the spine;
- this stage of the disease proceeds with pronounced muscle tension. As a result, the space in the intervertebral discs narrows more and the pain intensifies.
Chest osteochondrosis can occur with pain in the heart area, digestive organs, kidneys. At this stage of the disease, the symptoms are erased and difficult to diagnose.
Treatment of 1st degree osteochondrosis of the chest
Thoracic osteochondrosis in the initial stage is easier to treat. The treatment of the disease is aimed at eliminating the manifestations of the disease and healing the rupture of the capsule.
As inflammatory processes occur in the tissues, causing severe pain, treatment begins with the use of painkillers in the form of tablets or injections.
Drugs that help dilate blood vessels are prescribed to relieve spasms and increase blood flow to the affected part of the spine. Daily intravenous administration of sodium chloride will help relieve swelling. The duration of such therapy is 5 days.
In addition, chondroprotectors are prescribed for treatment. These drugs act on the affected areas and help the tissues to recover.
To stop the inflammation, doctors often prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, it should be remembered that taking these drugs can exacerbate the course of pre-existing chronic diseases, especially pathologies of the gastrointestinal system. For this reason, the duration of non-steroidal medications should not exceed 10 days.
All medicines should only be prescribed by a doctor. To get positive results, the patient must strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor: dosage, time of taking the drug and duration of treatment.
All drugs prescribed for treatment can be classified:
- antihistamines;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- vasoactive agents.
The patient is advised to adhere to one month of bed rest, it is recommended to undergo physiotherapy procedures.
For preventive purposes, it is important to extract the ridge. You do not need to go to the gym for this. There is always a suitable horizontal bar on all sports grounds. It is recommended to hang for a few minutes once a day. This procedure helps to relieve tension from the intervertebral discs in all areas of the ridge.
Chest osteochondrosis 2 degrees: symptoms
If in the early stages the disease is not transmitted and treatment is not started, then the disease progresses to the 2nd degree. In this pathology there is a subsequent decrease in the elasticity of the discs between the vertebrae, hernias may form and there is a narrowing of the intervertebral foramen. The second stage of the disease is characterized by a neurological syndrome, as well as painful sensations.
This stage of ridge disease is difficult to diagnose and presents with signs such as heart attack, angina pectoris or pneumonia.
The following signs of grade 2 thoracic osteochondrosis should be emphasized:
- constant pain in the affected area;
- arterial hypotension may occur;
- unnatural mobility of the ridge appears;
- as a result of the thinning of the capsule, the mobility of the joint increases;
- due to the instability of the spine, scoliosis is formed;
- the vessels of the spinal cord are gradually affected.
In 2 degrees of thoracic osteochondrosis pain occurs:
- in the chest. Such pains intensify after a long stay in one position;
- in the interscapular area of the back;
- with deep inhalation or exhalation;
- when turning, as well as tilting the body, when raising the arms up.
In this pathology there is a feeling of tightness in the sternum, as well as stiffness.
Grade 2 disease can occur with intestinal pathologies, shortness of breath. The patient complains of scaling of the skin, headache and pain in the heart.
This pathology can last for years, with alternating periods of exacerbation and remission.
Treatment of 2nd degree thoracic osteochondrosis
The disease requires urgent complex treatment. To relieve pain, the doctor prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs. For the effectiveness of the therapy, manual therapeutic sessions are prescribed, as well as massage. These procedures improve the blood supply to the spine.
Timely therapy can significantly slow down the pathological processes in the spine, and in some situations completely stop the development of osteochondrosis.
Quite often thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is confused with heart disease or other diseases. At the onset of the first manifestations it is necessary to consult a doctor for the differential diagnosis of osteochondrosis from various diseases and the appointment of effective treatment.