Thoracic osteochondrosis is an unpleasant disease that has a long and often invisible development. The disease is caused by a violation of normal function and degenerative destruction of part of the vertebrae. Unlike the cervical and lumbar regions, osteochondrosis is less likely to occur due to low mobility of the thoracic region.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis 1 degree
Primary osteochondrosis does not show obvious symptoms, so a person decides to seek medical help. Often the disease is confused with other pathologies in the body: arrhythmia, pneumonia, gastritis. Due to inactivity, the disease continues to develop, taking a more serious clinical picture.
The almost asymptomatic course of grade 1 osteochondrosis is explained by the structural features of the spine. However, there are still some signs that it is better to pay attention to when they appear:
- Pain in the chest. May be confused with intercostal neuralgia;
- Unpleasant retreat on the shoulder;
- Tingling in the heart, kidneys or stomach;
- Absence of obvious signs of pain in the spine.
In stage 1, only compression and a decrease in the elasticity of the cartilaginous intervertebral tissue occur. The spine remains quite mobile. Because the disease mainly affects other parts of the body, it is difficult to diagnose without immediate pathological manifestations.
Symptoms of grade 2 thoracic osteochondrosis
The transition to stage 2 of the disease means a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc. As a result, the spine becomes less stable and the vertebrae become unhealthy. At this stage, patients feel severe pain, signaling problems with the spine.
Grade 2 osteochondrosis of the breast, unlike grade 1 disease, is accompanied by pathological changes that are difficult to return to a healthy state. Morphological signs of the disease manifest themselves in the form of rupture of capsules and the formation of protrusions. A common occurrence at this stage is the formation of cracks in the fibrous ring. Therefore, painful sensations are felt directly in the affected area of the spine, which greatly simplifies the diagnosis. Clinically, osteochondrosis looks like this:
- Recurrent pain in the chest;
- Do not pinch in the chest.
- Anxiety arises when you stay in one position for a long time;
- There are sharp pains when you try to put your hand behind your head;
- Decreased blood pressure;
- Appearance of scoliosis.
Occurrence of grade 2 osteochondrosis is associated with the absence or poor quality of treatment for grade 1 disease.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis 3 degrees
If treatment for grade 2 osteochondrosis is poor or untimely, the disease progresses to the next, more dangerous stage 3.
Morphologically, the fibrous ring in the spine of a sick person is partially or completely destroyed. The ability of the vertebrae to fixate and absorb shock is sharply reduced, leading to the formation of intervertebral protrusions and hernias, followed by constricted nerves. The symptoms are constant and severe, causing complete discomfort:
- Appearance of sharp pains when coughing, deep breathing or just laughing;
- constant aching pain in the affected area of the back;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- Pain in the heart;
- Possible numbness and cramps of the limbs;
- Restrictions on anxiety in hand mobility;
- Symptoms of biliary dyskinesia and pancreatitis;
- Painful tingling in the solar plexus.
All of the above symptoms are often of a permanent obsessive nature. After each dynamic or static load, there is a sharp increase in pain that persists, even in a supine position. If this stage also begins, changes in the bone marrow occur and disability develops.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis 2, 3 degrees
There is only a small fraction of the chances of the disease going in the opposite direction. Basically, in the treatment of osteochondrosis, grade 2 or 3 degenerative development of the disease either slows down or stops.
All the proposed treatments and methods are divided into drug and non-drug therapy.
- Medical. The main direction of the drugs prescribed by a doctor is to relieve pain, stimulate tissue microcirculation and reduce inflammation. Medications eliminate unpleasant symptoms and help improve the patient's well-being. Depending on the manifestation of the disease, a person suffering from osteochondrosis can be prescribed medication that can:
- Eliminate persistent pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed;
- Keep fluids in the space of the intervertebral disc. It is recommended to use papain;
- Eliminate spasms and cramps. Helps muscle relaxants and antispasmodics;
- Restore a healthier state of cartilage tissue. The reception of chondroprotectors is indicated.
- Non-drug. This type of therapy has a positive effect both on its own and in combination with traditional treatment. There are many ways to improve the condition of a person with osteochondrosis in the world. The main ones are:
- Production of funds in accordance with the recommendations of traditional medicine. Application is in infusions and decoctions of celery root or sunflower root, in various ointments.
- acupuncture;
- Assistance in manual and post-isometric therapy;
- Physiotherapy;
- plastic massage;
- Correction of the patient's lifestyle and diet;
- Spinal traction and fixation.
In the case of grade 3 osteochondrosis, in addition to other methods, it is often necessary to resort to surgery. Also, these drugs can be combined with 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 procedures, add physical activity and follow a healthy diet.