Radiculitis is a symptom that manifests itself in the form of various lesions of the roots of the spinal nerves.
About one in 10 people complain of the syndrome at the age of 40 years and older.
Intercostal neuralgia( another name for sciatica of the thoracic spine) occurs less frequently than similar pathologies of the cervical or lumbosacral spine, making it difficult to diagnose and treat, especially if the patient uses traditional medicine and does not seek qualified care.
Contents of the article
- General concept of the disease
- Causes of the disease
- Development of the pain symptom
- How to treat the disease?
- Experience of grandparents
- Complications of the disease
- How to prevent the disease?
General concept of the disease
It is still common misconception that radiculitis is an independent disease, and by no means a symptom.
However, radiculopathy accompanies a large number of other pathologies, and suppression of one of several manifestations brings only a partial and temporary improvement in the patient's condition.
Symptom is associated with negative effects on the spine cord roots, which is known to be located in the spinal canal.
Depending on the specific localization of lesions, the classification of the disease is carried out( in particular, chest radiculitis is diagnosed).
Symptom usually occurs in men aged 45-65 years. Because of the nature and localization of pain, thoracic radiculopathy is often confused with ischemic heart disease, which is also more common in the designated group.
This circumstance complicates the diagnosis and therapy.
Causes of
Symptom occurs when the roots of the spinal cord are squeezed or irritated due to adhesions, neoplasms, injuries, protrusion or herniation of intervertebral discs, stenosis, vertebral fracture. 
The most common cause of thoracic radiculitis is the degenerative-dystrophic processes inside the spine.
Rarely, the manifestation of the disease is associated with metastatic foci of malignant neoplasms. Also a symptom can arise due to individual physiological characteristics, hypothermia.
Radiculitis of the chest accompanies the following diseases:
- defects in development of the thoracic spine( eg, scoliosis);
- complicated viral infections;
- Inflammatory injuries of the muscles of the thoracic region;
- dislocations, fractures, displacement of vertebrae;
- chronic diseases of the spine - osteochondrosis, arthritis, hernia, ankylosing spondylitis( more commonly known as Bekhterev's disease);
- inflammation of the spine, which can occur due to tuberculosis or sexually transmitted diseases( eg, syphilis or gonorrhea);
- diabetes mellitus;
- hypothyroidism.
The appearance of intercostal neuralgia is also affected by overweight and lifestyle, in particular, lack of physical activity or regular long stay in the cold.
Cartilaginous discs lose elasticity, the distance between individual vertebrae decreases, which causes individual nerve endings to be entrapped.
As the outgrowths( osteophytes) are formed, the roots of the spinal cord are first irritated, so severe discomfort occurs only at certain positions of the body.
In the future, when the mobility of connective tissues significantly decreases, the pain will become permanent.
Development of the pain symptom
The onset of the pain symptom is associated with the course of the underlying disease.
If it has a seasonal character or periods of exacerbation occur under certain conditions( for example, after hypothermia), the symptom is manifested in autumn and winter. Similarly, with a constant course of the disease, radiculopathy is felt constantly.
Usually, the patient feels discomfort in the chest only in a certain position of the body, so on the radiculitis can indicate too cautious movements and / or unnatural posture.
The main symptoms of thoracic radiculitis are a violation of sensitivity( burning, numbness, tingling) or pain( constant or paroxysmal).
Unpleasant sensations are amplified by palpation of the damaged area and abrupt movements. Pain can cover both the entire thorax and its separate area.
Since the normal reaction of the nervous system is disturbed in radiculitis, the symptom is accompanied by vegetative disorders( sweating, discoloration or a decrease in skin temperature).
How to treat the disease?
Since thoracic radiculitis is just a single symptom, treatment should be directed to the underlying disease. If you get rid of only the pain syndrome, after a short time it will manifest itself again.
Therapy is preceded by a thorough diagnosis, aimed at identifying the underlying disease. To this end, various types of tomography, radiography, electromyography and a general blood test are carried out.
In the process of treatment, inflammatory processes stop, the mobility of the spinal column is restored and the distance between its individual bones increases.
The most effective approach is shown by an integrated approach: 
- The medication therapy is aimed at anesthesia, restoration of metabolic processes and removal of inflammation. Usually, drugs for intramuscular and intravenous injection are used.
- By means of physiotherapy , medical gymnastics and massage the patient gets rid of muscle spasms.
- The tract is the methods used to stretch the muscles. In this way, the distance between the vertebrae is increased.
- The surgical method of treatment is aimed at removing neoplasms and restoring cartilaginous discs.
Experience of grandparents
Treatment of folk remedies is aimed at heating up the damaged area in one way or another( for example, using self-made ointments) and, as a result, the removal of pain.
At the time of treatment, it is necessary to limit motor activity, observe bed rest and fix sick joints with a tight bandage or special corset.
Even an experienced doctor without a comprehensive examination of the patient is unlikely to be able to distinguish radiculopathy from diseases with a similar course( eg, from ischemia).At self-treatment it is easy to confuse pathologies and to take advantage of a means, which in this case will prove to be dangerous.
Complications of the disease
If a long time to ignore the problem or be limited only to symptomatic treatment, the underlying disease will progress.
In the early stages of pain, not so acute, and attacks are fleeting and can go by themselves. Later, periods of exacerbation occur more often and more prolonged. Finally, in the late stages of pain almost does not stop.
If the symptom is associated with joint disease, the development of pathology will lead to a gradual decrease in mobility and destruction of the corresponding compounds. Periodic irritation of the roots of the spinal cord will be replaced by their complete jamming of the bones.
How to prevent a disease?
Any disease is easier to prevent than cure. To avoid thoracic radiculitis, it is enough not to allow and timely eliminate the pathologies that it accompanies.
For this it is necessary:
- Congenital defects of the spine, if possible, correct in the child .Diseases of the joints are prevented by proper nutrition, observance of the regime of the day, exercise, sleep on a comfortable bed, mattress and pillow.
- It is possible to avoid infectious diseases if strengthens its own immune system , do not allow contact with carriers and casual sexual intercourse( in this case it is mandatory to use a condom and local antiseptics).
- Inflammatory processes of usually occur due to hypothermia, therefore, care must be taken to ensure that the
wardrobe matches the weather conditions. - With sedentary work, the lack of physical activity of is compensated by sporting activities of .Also, care should be taken to ensure that the workplace is equipped with all the requirements of ergonomics.
- If the work is related to a long stay on the street, should be warmly dressed and provide protection against precipitation of ( for example, carrying an umbrella).
- The nature of malignant neoplasms is not fully understood, therefore there are no guaranteed methods of prevention and therapy. However, the effectiveness of treatment is affected by timely diagnosis. In this regard, it is necessary to regularly undergo appropriate examinations, especially if the patient is at risk.
Thoracic radiculopathy is a symptom of a number of diseases.
Treatment of only a painful symptom does not make sense, because without eliminating the underlying pathology, pain will soon return( symptomatic therapy is justified only as a temporary measure).
At the first signs of ailment, you should immediately consult a doctor and get a checkup. It is unlikely that it will be possible to independently establish a correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment, besides, it is very difficult to eliminate the progressive pathology.
