Thoracic osteochondrosis symptoms, treatment, prevention, best practices!

Thoracic osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease localized at the location of the thoracic part of the spinal column.

The main danger of this form of osteochondrosis is the similarity with many other pathologies, which introduces significant difficulties in the diagnostic process. It is for this reason that the appearance of the first unfavorable changes in the state of health should make a person immediately consult a doctor for the timely identification of the existing disease and the development of an effective treatment program for it.

Basics

disease under study formosteochondrosis occurs less frequently when compared with its cervical and lumbar "brethren."The links of the thoracic part of the vertebral column have a comparatively low height and are equipped with long processes arranged one above the other, like a tiled roof.

This kind of structural features limit the mobility of the thoracic spine, so that it becomes less prone to various injuries.

Causes of the pathology

This disease develops primarily in conditions of insufficient quality nutrition of the vertebrae, as well as disruption of load distribution, which contributes to the deterioration of internal metabolic processes and the progression of various pathologies. Citizens most likely to develop chest osteochondrosis are those who do sedentary work, for example, office workers, drivers, etc.

Patients with scoliosis are also at high risk - it is characterized by uneven distribution of loads along the length of the spinal column.

The defeat of the joints with dystrophic processes promotes the appearance of strong painful sensations.

Also a person can experience pain in the presence of spondylarthrosis, osteoarthritis and other similar diseases. In the presence of these pathogenic processes, the nerves are squeezed due to the decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, which provokes severe pain in the places of localization of the disorders.

In this case, the pathological process may involve sympathetic nerve fibers, which can lead to disruption of the normal function of a number of internal organs.

Characteristic signs and possible complications

Osteochondrosis is accompanied by painful sensations that spread along the thoracic spine and between the shoulder blades. Loads and sudden movements lead to increased pain. If the sympathetic nerve fibers are involved in the process, the internal organs begin to hurt, for whose work they are responsible.

In accordance with the peculiarities of manifestation, pain can be classified into 2 main groups. About them in the table.

Table. Varieties of painful sensations

Types of pain	Description
Dorsalgia	Characterized by great durability. Unpleasant sensations are localized at the location of the damaged elements. In a complex with painful and uncomfortable sensations, there is a marked restriction of mobility - mainly this occurs in the chest region, but also the neck and lumbar region can be involved in the process. Directly the pain accompanying such a condition is relatively dull and weak.
Dorsago	Characterized by extremely severe acute pain, mostly paroxysmal. There may be violations of respiratory function, limited mobility.

The width of the spinal canal in its thoracic region is relatively small. With the appearance of hernias and other complications of osteochondrosis, even if they have small dimensions, a pathological condition such as compression of the spinal cord can form. This is fraught with many problems with the most important internal organs.

Otherwise, the key symptoms of chest osteochondrosis can be summarized as the following list.

1. Painful sensations localized between the scapula and under them. Also often occur in the area of ​​the ribs. Unpleasant sensations become more pronounced during inspiration and performing various active actions.
   

   Pain between the scapula and under them

2. Painful sensations localized in the left side of the chest. Has many similar properties with ischemia. To check for the presence of such, a patient with osteochondrosis is necessarily assigned an electrocardiographic examination.
   

   Chest pain left

3. Mobility limitation. The situation is complicated by the fact that the same symptom is typical for many other pathological processes. To obtain a reliable picture, the patient is given an X-ray.
4. Painful sensations, having a girdling character and intensifying during movements and even with breathing.
   

   Shingles

5. Sensation of numbness.
6. Violations of the function of other internal organs and systems.

The disregarded ailment can result in the following complications:

• vertebrogenic radiculopathy;
• intercostal neuralgia;
• chronic pain;
• protrusion of intervertebral discs;
• hernia;
• cardialgia, etc.

Diagnostic procedure

As noted, diagnosing osteochondrosis of the type in question is complicated in many ways by the fact that the disease is very similar to many other ailments, for example, heart attack, appendix inflammation, gastritis, gastrointestinal ulcers andetc.

For the diagnosis is conducted a whole range of studies, the results of which differentiate osteochondrosis from other possible problems. First of all, the patient is referred for radiography and electrocardiography. Additionally, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging methods can be used.

In the presence of osteochondrosis, the results of radiography will determine the growth of the vertebral bodies. In addition, this process is accompanied by a decrease in such a parameter as the height of the disks.

Treatment options

First of all, the patient will be helped to eliminate painful sensations. For this, appropriate preparations can be given in the format of tablets, injections and ointments.

The composition of the therapy and its specific features are determined exclusively by the attending physician. Additionally, actions will be taken to reduce the risk of exacerbations of the disease.

Actively used methods of physiotherapy, for example, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, acupuncture, inductometry, etc.

They, above all, contribute to better assimilation and increase in the speed of action of medications used, which makes it possible to expect a decrease in the duration of treatment and in generalmore positive results of such.

Along with this, it is important to understand that pills and injections of painkillers do not eliminate the root cause of the ailment, but only give temporary relief. In the therapy necessarily includes therapeutic exercises, consisting of special exercises, the main task of which is to strengthen the muscles and normalize the mobility of the spinal column.

The charge is started only at the stage of remission, after determining and eliminating the causes that led to the appearance of osteochondrosis.

In rare cases, when conservative methods of treatment do not have the proper effect, they resort to surgical intervention.

The rest is oriented towards conservative treatment. The expert diagnoses, appoints a bed regimen in the presence of an exacerbation, recommends suitable anesthetics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

If necessary, drugs are prescribed to normalize the function of the circulatory, genito-urinary, muscular and other systems. In the presence of severe damage to the spinal cord, special paravertebral blockades can be used. This makes it possible to temporarily ease the patient's condition for the period of the main treatment.

Prophylactic recommendations

1. Avoid excessive loads.
   

   Do not overload your back

2. Go in for sports, watch your posture, avoid colds and do everything you can to strengthen the muscles.
3. Avoid too wet and cold places, local and general hypothermia.
   

   Stay warm and dry

4. If you spend a lot of time in one posture due to work responsibilities or any other circumstances, be sure to take breaks. At least every 1-1.5 hours, get up from the chair to walk and warm up.
   

   Do a simple workout at the workplace.

5. Be a physically active person. Moderate loads will be of great benefit. As elementary exercises, you can recommend, for example, the following. Lie down on a flat surface( floor will fit), on the stomach. Make an effort with your hands and gently bend your back. Hold for a few seconds in this state, then descend. Repeat several times throughout the day.
   

   Effective gymnastics for the back

   

   Getting rid of osteochondrosis

Thus, chest osteochondrosis is a serious ailment that requires timely diagnosis and competent treatment. Now you know how this illness manifests itself.

Consult a doctor immediately if any adverse changes in your condition are found and follow professional advice.

Stay healthy!

Video - Thoracic osteochondrosis symptoms, treatment