Thoracic osteochondrosis is an unpleasant disease that has a long and often imperceptible development. The disease appears due to disruption of normal functioning and degenerative destruction of part of the vertebrae. Unlike the cervical and lumbar regions, the thoracic region is much less likely to undergo osteochondrosis due to its low mobility.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis 1 degree
Osteochondrosis of the first degree does not show pronounced characteristic symptoms, so that a person decides to seek help from a doctor. Often, the emerging disease is confused with other pathologies in the body: arrhythmia, pneumonia, gastritis. Due to inaction, the disease continues to develop, taking on a more serious clinical picture.
The almost asymptomatic course of osteochondrosis of the 1st degree is explained by the peculiarities of the structure of the spine. But still, there are several symptoms that are best to pay attention to when they appear:
- Feeling pain in the chest area. May be confused with intercostal neuralgia;
- Unpleasant recoil in the shoulder;
- Tingling in the area of the heart, kidneys, or stomach;
- Absence of obvious pain symptoms in the spine.
At stage 1, only compaction and a decrease in the elasticity of the cartilaginous intervertebral tissue occur. The spine remains quite mobile. Due to the fact that the disease shows itself mainly in other parts of the body, without manifesting pathology in the immediate place, making a diagnosis is difficult.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree
The transition of the disease to stage 2 means a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc. As a result, the spine becomes less stable, and the vertebrae acquire unhealthy mobility. At this stage, patients feel severe pain, signaling problems with the spine.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region of the 2nd degree, in contrast to the disease of the 1st degree, is accompanied by pathological changes that are difficult to return to a healthy state. Morphological symptoms of the disease are manifested in the form of rupture of capsules and the formation of protrusions. A frequent occurrence at this stage is the occurrence of a crack in the fibrous ring. Therefore, painful sensations are clearly felt directly in the affected area of the spine, due to which the diagnosis is greatly simplified. Clinically, such osteochondrosis looks like this:
- Recurring pain in the chest area;
- Pinching in the chest.
- When you stay in one position for a long time, discomfort appears;
- When you try to put your hand behind your head, there are sharp pains;
- Decreased blood pressure;
- The appearance of scoliosis.
The occurrence of osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree is caused by the absence or poor-quality treatment of the disease of the 1st degree.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis 3 degrees
If the treatment of osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree was carried out poorly, or out of time, then the disease passes into the next more dangerous stage 3.
Morphologically, partial or complete destruction of the fibrous ring occurs in the spine of a sick person. The fixing and shock-absorbing abilities of the vertebrae are sharply reduced, which leads to the formation of intervertebral protrusion and hernia, followed by pinched nerves. Symptoms are permanent and severe, causing complete discomfort:
- The appearance of sharp pains at the moment of coughing, taking a deep breath or just laughing;
- Constant aching pain in the area of the affected area of the back;
- Intercostal neuralgia;
- Feeling pain in the heart;
- Possible numbness and cramps of the limbs;
- Discomfort restrictions in the mobility of the hands;
- Signs of biliary dyskinesia and pancreatitis;
- Painful tingling in the solar plexus.
All of the above symptoms are for the most part a permanent obsessive character. After each dynamic or static load, there is a sharp increase in pain that persists even in the supine position. If this stage is also started, a change in the bone marrow occurs and disability appears.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis 2, 3 degrees
There is only a small fraction of the chance that the disease will go in the opposite direction. Basically, in the treatment of osteochondrosis, having a degree of 2 or 3, either slowing down or stopping the degenerative development of the disease occurs.
All proposed methods and methods of treatment are divided into drug and non-drug therapies.
- Medical. The main direction of drugs prescribed by a doctor is pain relief, stimulation of tissue microcirculation and reduction of inflammation. Medications relieve uncomfortable symptoms, helping to improve the patient's well-being. Depending on the manifestation of the disease, a person suffering from osteochondrosis may be prescribed drug therapy that can:
- Relieve persistent pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed;
- Keep fluids in the cavity of the intervertebral disc. It is recommended to use papain;
- Relieve spasms and pinching. Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics help;
- Restore a healthier state of cartilage tissue. Reception of chondroprotectors is shown.
- Non-drug. This type of therapy has a positive effect both on its own and in combination with traditional treatment. In the world there are a huge number of ways to improve the condition of a person with osteochondrosis. The main ones are:
- Production of funds according to the recommendations of traditional medicine. Application is found in infusions and decoctions from celery root or sunflower root, various ointments.
- Acupuncture;
- Assistance in manual and post-isometric therapy;
- Physiotherapy;
- Plastic massage;
- Correction of lifestyle and nutrition of the patient;
- Traction and fixation of the vertebrae.
In the case of grade 3 osteochondrosis, in addition to other methods, it is often necessary to resort to surgical intervention. Also, the listed drugs can be combined with taking hormonal drugs like prednisone.
Osteochondrosis is a serious disease that requires attention. To prevent its development, it is recommended to carry out various preventive procedures, add physical education to life and follow the rules of a healthy diet.