Thoracic osteochondrosis is an unpleasant disease that has a long and often imperceptible development. The disease occurs 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 prone to osteochondrosis due to its low mobility.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis 1 degree
Osteochondrosis of the first degree does not show pronounced characteristic symptoms, so a person decides to see a doctor. Often the emerging disease is confused with other pathologies in the body: arrhythmia, pneumonia, gastritis. Due to inactivity, the disease progresses and acquires 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. Still, there are some symptoms that are best to watch out for when they appear:
- Feeling of pain in the chest area. Can be confused with intercostal neuralgia;
- Uncomfortable recoil in the shoulder;
- tingling in the heart, kidneys or stomach;
- Absence of obvious symptoms of pain in the spine.
In stage 1, there is only compaction and a decrease in the elasticity of the cartilaginous intervertebral tissue. The spine remains quite mobile. Diagnosis is difficult due to the fact that the disease manifests itself mainly in other parts of the body, without manifesting any pathology in the immediate area.
Symptoms of grade 2 thoracic osteochondrosis
The transition of the disease to stage 2 means a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc. As a result, the spine loses stability and the vertebrae gain unhealthy mobility. At this stage, patients feel severe pain, which indicates problems with the spine.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region of the 2nd degree, unlike the disease of the 1st degree, is accompanied by pathological changes that are difficult to bring back to a healthy state. Morphological symptoms of the disease are manifested in the form of capsule ruptures and the formation of protrusions. A common event at this stage is the appearance of a tear in the fibrous ring. Therefore, painful sensations are clearly felt directly in the affected area of \u200b\u200bthe spine, which greatly simplifies the diagnosis. Clinically, such an osteochondrosis looks like this:
- Recurrent chest pain;
- pinching in the chest.
- Staying in one position for a long time causes discomfort.
- When you try to put your hand behind your head, there is a sharp pain;
- decreased blood pressure;
- The occurrence of scoliosis.
Occurrence of grade 2 osteochondrosis is caused by the absence or poor treatment of grade 1 disease.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis 3 degrees
If the treatment of osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree was carried out poorly or late, then the disease goes to the next more dangerous stage 3.
Morphologically, partial or complete destruction of the fibrous ring occurs in the patient's spine. The fixation and shock absorbing ability of the vertebrae is greatly reduced, resulting in the formation of intervertebral protrusions and hernias, followed by pinched nerves. Symptoms are permanent and severe, causing complete discomfort:
- The appearance of sharp pains at the moment of coughing, deep breathing or just laughing;
- Constant aching pain in the area of \u200b\u200bthe affected back area;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- feel pain in the heart;
- Possible numbness and spasms of the limbs;
- Complaints 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, of a permanent, compulsive nature. After every dynamic or static load, there is a sharp increase in pain, which also persists in a supine position. If this stage is also started, bone marrow changes and disability occurs.
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, when treating osteochondrosis with 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 the drugs prescribed by a doctor is pain relief, stimulation of tissue microcirculation and reduction of inflammation. Medicines relieve unpleasant symptoms and help improve the patient's well-being. Depending on the manifestation of the disease, a person suffering from osteochondrosis may be prescribed drug therapy that:
- Relieve persistent pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed;
- Keep fluid in the disc cavity. It is recommended to use papain;
- Relieves spasms and pinching. Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics will help;
- Restore a healthier condition of the cartilage tissue. Recording of chondroprotectors is shown.
- non-drug. This form of therapy has a positive effect both alone 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 most important are:
- Preparation of remedies according to the recommendations of traditional medicine. Application can be found in infusions and decoctions from celery root or sunflower root, various ointments.
- Acupuncture;
- Assistance with manual and postisometric therapy;
- Physical therapy;
- plastic massage;
- correction of the patient's lifestyle and diet;
- Traction and fixation of the vertebrae.
In osteochondrosis grade 3, in addition to other methods, it is often necessary to resort to surgical intervention. The drugs listed can also be combined with taking hormonal drugs such as prednisone.
Osteochondrosis is a serious disease that requires attention. To prevent its development, it is recommended to carry out various preventive measures, enrich life with sports and follow the rules of healthy eating.