In the modern world, it’s not just humans who are progressing.Unfortunately, diseases affecting humans are also constantly changing and evolving.
Twenty years ago, symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis were rare and usually occurred in older adults.The age categories of patients have now expanded significantly to include women, men and children of all ages.
A rare manifestation of this disease is based on the immobility of the thoracic part of the spinal region, excluding various injuries and injuries.
Thoracic osteochondrosis causes severe changes in the bone and cartilage tissue of the spine, causing its integrity to be compromised.
If a specialist is not contacted promptly, irreversible changes can occur that can only be prevented by surgical intervention.
In the chain of development of the disease, first is the skeletal system of the spine, followed by the cartilaginous structures, ligaments and muscles of the spine.
When osteochondrosis is diagnosed in adolescence, premature aging of the musculoskeletal system begins.
The development of thoracic osteochondrosis is divided into 4 grades based on symptoms and treatment, and the patient's health depends on:
- My degree.Symptoms are mild or disappear completely.Outstanding phenomena occur.
- Level 2.The discs lose elasticity and height.The spine loses stability.The initial pain appeared.
- Level three.At this stage, the hernia is discovered with severe pain.
- Level four.The bone tissue of the spine is destroyed due to the complete loss of the basic functions of the intervertebral discs.
Symptoms and signs
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis depend on gender, disease progression, and the patient's mobility.Most symptoms occur with a certain level of stress and fatigue and with staying in the same position for an extended period of time.
What are the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Chest pain, especially during long periods of inactivity.
- There is a feeling of pressure in the middle of the back.It is also difficult to take deep breaths in and out.
- Pain can occur when physical activity involves any movement involving the spine.Hand movements, bending, turning.
- Chronic low back pain.
- A neurological disorder that manifests as numbness in certain parts of the body.
- Increased sensitivity in certain areas of skin (so-called goosebumps).
- There is an uncomfortable feeling in the lower limbs.
- Due to damaged blood vessels in thoracic osteochondrosis, local skin peeling symptoms may occur.Changes can also affect nails.
- Reproductive disorders and decreased libido may occur.
Symptoms may also differ by gender.The symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in women are somewhat different from those in men.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in women:
- Regional pain syndrome in the affected disc area.
- False symptoms of internal organ disease that occur along the innervation of a compressed nerve.
- Symptoms of oppression.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis appear much earlier in men than in women.The remaining clinical manifestations are very similar.
Most differences were seen only in the severity of symptoms, as men led more active lifestyles.
In addition, osteochondrosis of the female chest is less obvious and occurs later due to the protective effect of female sex hormones.
The symptoms and sensations of thoracic osteochondrosis may be similar to those experienced during the development of heart disease, so heart function should also be studied at the time of diagnosis.
treat
The disease has a different chronic course and may worsen at any time, with very obvious symptoms.Patients experience severe back pain and difficulty breathing.
Before curing osteochondrosis of the chest, it is important to understand the nature of the exacerbation and the extent of the disease.Usually, the causes of such situations are specific factors:
- Stressful situations.
- Very hard.
- Prolonged exposure to low temperatures.
- Lift weights or be active.
Treatment is mainly based on an etiological approach.That is, the factors causing the acute phase are eliminated.In severe cases, limited daily treatment is recommended.Here are some principles of this approach:
- Low movement mode.
- Prescribe a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
- Drug treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.
- Topical treatment, including massage (as indicated), use of topical medications with anti-inflammatory properties.
- Exercise therapy.Only with your doctor's permission.
- physiotherapy.
drug
Medical treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is based on the classic principles of treating nerve fiber compression.The first step is to relieve symptoms that are causing severe distress to the patient.
The selected drugs are individually prescribed taking into account contraindications and side effects.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatment is considered primary and primary.Its effects are visible from the first day of treatment.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- NSAIDs.These drugs may be administered orally or parenterally.They have many positive properties.First, they improve the patient's quality of life and restore his normal activities.
Unfortunately, this group of drugs also has some negative indicators.Contraindications include gastrointestinal disorders.Absolutely prohibited in case of ulcers or acute gastritis.If kidney and liver function are impaired, the drug dose may need to be adjusted.
NSAIDs are often used in combination with muscle relaxants.
- Muscle relaxants are a group of medications that can provide significant relief to a patient's condition.When an inflammatory process occurs at the level of the vertebrae, intense muscle spasms occur in the fibers surrounding the inflamed area.Prolonged spasms can also cause severe pain in the segmental area.Muscle relaxants can relieve pain by eliminating this spasm.
These medications are not recommended if the patient drives a car or other equipment.
- Vitamin complex.Used to relieve nerve fiber inflammation and stabilize neural membranes.B vitamins and niacin are used more frequently than other vitamins.
- Chondroprotective drugs.Combinations of Chondroitin and Glucosamine at Different Dosages.
This group of drugs normalizes metabolic processes in joint tissues and, together with glucose, has a strong anti-inflammatory effect.The course of treatment with chondroprotectants is long-term and repeated at regular intervals.
Side effects occur mainly in the gastrointestinal tract.This is bloating and burping.
To treat osteochondrosis of the chest, special medications are injected.Management principles vary.The main method is to introduce electrophoresis in the physiotherapy room.It is also available in cream and ointment forms.
For thoracic osteochondrosis, drug treatment is based on the principle of alleviating the inflammatory process and releasing compressed nerves.
It is important to note that even long-term anti-inflammatory treatment, without additional courses of corrective therapy, will not relieve the patient's long-term suffering.
If the attending physician recommends a massage procedure, it must be performed.
massage
Before treating osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine with massage, a functional diagnosis is required and a first phase of treatment is prescribed, including the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants.
This set of measures is designed to relieve spasm and inflammation in the affected area.Only when certain results are achieved in the first stage can we talk about the benefits of massage.
How is thoracic osteochondrosis treated with massage?
Massage procedures can also relieve muscle spasms and improve blood supply to damaged areas.
- Acupressure.A procedure in which a specialist uses the hands of a specialist to improve blood supply to specific areas, thereby easing the inflammatory process.It is important to know that pain is not allowed during acupressure.Acute pain syndrome is an absolute contraindication to this type of massage.
- Massage the affected area.Delivers superior results by improving blood supply to the entire area.At the same time, soft tissue begins to actively renew, which has a beneficial effect on therapy.
- Classic massage.Osteochondrosis of the chest due to symptoms in the acute phase cannot be treated with classic massage.Any vibration or displacement can cause severe pain.Classic massage can only be performed after the restrictions on motor activity and inflammatory processes have been completely eliminated.
- Plastic Massage.Suitable for all stages of disease with excellent results.After 5 sessions it is recommended to move on to the next massage.
Since elimination of thoracic osteochondrosis is a complex task, massage combined with conservative treatment is considered one of the most effective non-surgical treatments.
physical education
Osteochondrosis of the chest with symptoms of the first to second stages of the disease can be treated with physical therapy, which has a beneficial effect on the muscle layer of the affected segmental area, strengthens the ligaments, and eliminates the further development of protrusions.
If the stage of the disease is characterized by severe pain, then conservative treatment is carried out first, with massage, and then with exercise therapy.
What is exercise therapy?This is a complex treatment and prevention procedure that improves blood supply and stability to the affected area.
There are many exercises that work well:
- Lift your arms as you exhale and bend them back as you take a deep breath.This is followed by a slow bow, with the back arched upward.
- Start in a seated position, using the back of your chair for support, bending back and placing your hands behind your head.
- Stand on all 4 limbs, bending and arching your back, locking in the highest and lowest positions.
- Posture – Focus on the abdomen.Bend hard at the top and try to lift your torso off the floor.
- Practice boat.
Their effectiveness depends on how diligently the patient performs each exercise.
Repeat all exercises 5 to 7 times.Before starting class, do some warm-up exercises to avoid sprains and injuries.
Traction
What to do if lesions are detected at the early stage?
In the early stages of the disease, traction is considered a good solution.Through this process, muscle spasms are eliminated and displaced vertebrae return to their original positions.Overcame spinal deformation.
What types of towing are there:
- Dry traction.This process is easier to perform than others.Horizontal bars are perfect if the disease is detected at the first stage.If strong shifts and prolonged cramps are observed, special beds and exercise equipment are used.These tools correctly regulate the load and its duration.
- Wet traction.It is performed in warm water and can improve blood circulation in the affected area and, if done correctly, eliminate sudden movements.
In thoracic osteochondrosis, symptoms during treatment with classic therapy may recur several times per year.For prevention, use traction and exercise therapy to eliminate the risk of protrusion and strong displacement.
Reviews about physical therapy procedures during the remission phase and after long-term treatment are mostly positive.The suggestions and implementation of these procedures are entirely sound!
surgery
What if the chosen method doesn’t produce results?
Due to incorrect treatment, thoracic osteochondrosis progresses with symptoms after treatment, making the patient's life unbearable.This also happens due to seeing a doctor too late.
Unfortunately, if the integrity of the disc is compromised and a hernia is diagnosed, surgical intervention is recommended to avoid life-threatening consequences.
After surgery, special elastic products are used to limit the patient's movements until full recovery is achieved.
in conclusion
Treatment of the various stages of osteochondrosis and any approach taken depends on how the osteochondrosis presents, how much tissue is affected, and most importantly, what the prognosis is with certain surgeries.Based on these diagnostic aspects, therapeutic measures are initiated.