Thoracic Osteochondrosis

As you know, one of the most common and dangerous pathologies is thoracic osteochondrosis, which disrupts the work of internal organs and worsens motor activity. If a person is diagnosed with this disease, and he does not take measures in time, he will suffer from severe pain, cardiovascular system dysfunction, gastrointestinal deterioration, the development of inflammatory processes in the respiratory system, lack of reproductive function, etc. complication.

In this article, we will provide detailed information about thoracic osteochondrosis and discuss key points related to the development of the disease. You will also learn about risk factors, effective treatment measures and possible negative consequences. We hope that the suggested materials are useful to you.

What is thoracic osteochondrosis

According to statistics, thoracic osteochondrosis can be observed in different people, regardless of gender and age. If the disease manifests in children, their musculoskeletal system will age prematurely.

We often hear from others what this disease is? This is one of the dangerous pathologies, accompanied by degenerative dystrophy changes in the bone and cartilage area. The lack of timely treatment is fraught with destructive processes affecting joints, intervertebral discs and ligaments.

Generally, in the context of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following pathological processes may occur: impaired reproductive function; pathologically replacing lung tissue with connective tissue; tumors; prostatic inflammatory lesions; atherosclerosis, etc.

It should be noted that in the early stage of the disease, the lesions are mainly bones and gradually spread to muscles, connective tissues and cartilage tissues.

Stages of development of osteochondrosis in the sternal area

Currently, the 4 stages of the pathological process are known:

1. First. It is characterized by water loss and cracks in the intervertebral disc area. In this case, thoracic osteochondrosis has mild symptoms, which disappear during the rest period.
2. second. It is also accompanied by the formation of cracks and the reduction of the size of the optical disc. In this case, the free part of the vertebra is filled with the nucleus pulposus, but in this case it is unlikely to protrude. However, the patient feels significant tension in the muscle area. Intense pain syndrome will be felt on its own and will disappear after a period of rest.
3. third. The crack reaches the very end of the vertebrae, and the nucleus pulposus is protruding. This is accompanied by the appearance of a herniated disc. The patient noticed the presence of persistent pain.
4. fourth. It is accompanied by fibrosis. In this case, the connective tissue formed binds nearby vertebrae. In addition, bone tissue is overgrowth, and pathological growth appears on it.

Causes of spinal thoracic osteochondrosis

There are several known risk factors that can cause disease progression:

• Genetic predisposition;
• Decreased physical strength;
• Scoliosis;
• Lift heavy objects regularly;
• Injury to the chest area;
• Wear high heels during pregnancy;
• Alcohol and tobacco abuse;
• Deterioration of blood flow in the spinal cord area;
• A lot of physical activity;
• Exposure to thermal factors;
• Bone tissue malnutrition;
• There is a herniated disc;
• obesity;
• Interruption of the metabolic process;
• Cartilage destruction.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in men and women

It is worth noting that the above-mentioned diseases are also characterized by changes in the composition of cartilage tissue. This pathological process is accompanied by the following manifestations:

• A squeezing sensation in the chest, accompanied by deterioration of respiratory activity;
• Often numb limbs;
• Perceived discomfort when turning the body;
• Loss of sensitivity in limbs;
• Fragile nails;
• There is a tooth in the hand;
• Digestive tract dysfunction;
• Reproductive dysfunction;
• Regular pain in the head area;
• Vomiting, nausea and heartburn;
• Intercostal nerve failure, accompanied by acute pain syndrome (neuralgia);
• abdominal pain;
• Obvious discomfort on the left side of the chest;
• Pain syndrome on the right side of the chest;
• Tachycardia;
• Increased sweating.

Features of the subacute phase

After a period of deterioration, it will make itself feel. Pain and dysfunction of the respiratory system still exist, but to a lesser degree. The patient stopped looking for a posture to eliminate the discomfort. The duration of the subacute phase is as long as 12-14 days. Strictly follow the expert's advice, relief is possible, and the obvious signs will be weakened. Failure to follow the recommendations may lead to repeated deterioration of the disease.

Relief of thoracic osteochondrosis

The characteristic of this stage is that the patient's condition improves temporarily. In this case, if you are exposed to thermal stimuli or changes in climatic conditions, the discomfort may reappear. Due to the rapid changes in body posture, acute pain syndrome only manifests as thoracic osteochondrosis of 2-4 degrees. Excessive physical exertion, stressful conditions, chronic diseases in the acute phase, and an immobile lifestyle can also lead to relapses.

Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis

In order to confirm the diagnosis, the specialist must consider the complaints of the patient. The following symptoms and feelings in women can detect sternal osteochondrosis: When you press certain points in the chest area, a strong pain syndrome will appear.

In order to identify signs of impaired sensitivity, special functional tests were carried out. The most informative diagnostic option in the instrument method is X-ray. However, MRI and CT are often performed to thoroughly examine the spine. If you suspect cardiovascular disease, it is recommended that the patient undergo an ECG examination.

Emergency treatment of acute sternal osteochondrosis of the spine

Pain manifestations during disease recurrence are characterized by penetrating acute characteristics, which means that emergency care is provided to the patient. It must be placed on a flat surface and covered with a warm blanket. If anxiety, shortness of breath or tachycardia occurs during the relapse, call a specialist immediately. In order to relieve pain in the intercostal area, it is recommended to turn to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Treatment of spine thoracic osteochondrosis

To understand how to best treat osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, one should review the basics of comprehensive techniques. In its framework, a variety of treatment measures are implemented at the same time, so it can deal with almost all pathological signs. For the initial disease, conservative treatments are used. With the more advanced stages of the pathological process and the presence of a herniated disc, surgical intervention may be required in order to eliminate the compression syndrome.

Physiotherapy treatment

To understand how to use physiotherapy to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, you should remember their mechanism. Therefore, the most effective way to identify the above pathology is:

• When using with medicine at the same time, contact the body with a constant current;
• Methods related to the use of static magnetic fields;
• Vocalize
• Ultrasound therapy
• Spa and underwater spinal traction.

SWT treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

Shockwave therapy is considered to be one of the most effective ways to restore affected parts of the spine. This physical therapy method is based on the effect of sound pulses on the area affected by the destructive degenerative process.

In this case, use special medical equipment. By converting electrical pulses into shock waves, you can quickly respond to salt deposits, reduce the size of osteophytes and minimize the intensity of pain.

Generally, this surgery is effective for the presence of osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Its main goal is to restore the normal state of joints, bones and cartilage, and increase the elasticity of the affected vertebrae. In addition, due to the impact of shock waves, it can activate the development of new blood vessels and improve blood supply to muscles.

acupuncture

This technique involves introducing a small diameter needle into a biologically active site. In order to activate positive effects, they rotate around an axis or are heated. With the help of acupuncture, it can quickly stop the pain syndrome, eliminate inflammation and congestion, cope with swelling, relieve cramps, restore normal blood flow and improve mobility.

Medicinal moxibustion

The method of drug delivery through reflex points. In this case, the drug is injected into the lesion.

Considering the intended purpose, use the following drugs:

• Methods to reduce skeletal muscle tension and restore vertebral mobility;
• Drugs with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects;
• Drugs that reduce muscle tone and dilate blood vessels;
• Preparations to accelerate recovery and metabolic processes;
• Vitamin complex that helps normalize cell nutrition and improve immune system function;
• Homeopathy normalizes the immune and musculoskeletal system.

Massage treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

It should be noted that massage in this department can be performed even in the acute phase. Through it, blood flow can be restored, muscle condition can be improved and normalized, and the load on blood vessels supplying the brain can be minimized.

Drug use

If we talk about how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis with drugs, we must first consider the extent of the disease, the nature of the manifestations, and the intensity of the pain syndrome. In most cases, the following drugs are used:

• Non-steroidal funds. These are drugs with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It is recommended to use them during the course, and use special ointments at the end of the course;
• Anesthetics. They have analgesic effect. Used as an intravenous drip;
• Diuretics. Allows you to deal with edema, eliminate pathological signs, and have a beneficial effect on the state of myocardium;
• Drugs that reduce skeletal muscle tension, restore vertebral mobility and relieve pain.

In some cases, patients are advised to take hormonal drugs, anticonvulsants, vitamin complexes, drugs to restore the state of blood vessels, and tranquilizers.

Injection treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

If it is accompanied by acute pain, the patient is usually interested in how to deal with chest osteochondrosis. In order to have a faster effect on the nerve endings, they used injections into the spine. In this case, anesthetics and glucocorticoids are used. After the patients returned to normal, they switched to gels and ointments.

Thoracic osteochondrosis gymnastics

Before exercising on the thoracic spine suffering from osteochondrosis, it is recommended to warm up first to provide the necessary muscle warm-up and improve the effectiveness of future training. You can also take a shower and have a light chiropractic in the thoracic spine area.

Warming up is especially important for patients with sternochondrosis who are doing gymnastics at home for the first time. As part of the initial warm-up of the muscles, the following exercises can be performed: rotation and rotation of the pelvis and neck, rhythmic movements of the limbs, in different directions (swinging). It should be remembered that the gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis is not hurried and smooth. If exercise is related to acute pain syndrome, it is best to refuse.

Currently, thoracic gymnastics recommended for osteochondrosis includes the implementation of 6 basic exercises:

1. The patient is placed in a "lying" position on the floor, face down. At the same time, he put his hands behind his head and spread his elbows. In addition, it gradually lifts the shoulders and the body upward at the same time, accompanied by alternate movements of the elbows in the same direction. 1 practice 6 times, the number of repetitions is 6 times;
2. The patient is placed on the floor, face down. Then he locked his hands behind his back and tried to lift them up, bending his body. All movements are very smooth;
3. The person takes a standing position and puts his hands behind his shoulders. In the future, he should raise his shoulders (alternatively);
4. The patient lies on the floor, on a flat surface, leaning on his stomach. He straightened his upper limbs in front of him and lifted his body slightly;
5. The patient was placed on a chair and lowered his hands to the waist. In addition, the movement is performed with the shoulders, alternately lifting and slowly returning to the starting position. Number of repetitions-5 times in a lesson;
6. The man sits on a chair and tries to reach out with a gymnastic stick. When you exhale, return to the starting position while leaning forward. You can also perform side bends with the same gymnastic equipment in your hand.

Diet for chest osteochondrosis

According to experts, it is best for people with this disease to exclude high-fat foods, smoked products, marinades and preservatives from their diet. You should also reduce the amount of salt because it can cause severe swelling. In addition, the amount of liquid consumed per day should not be less than 2-2. 5 liters.

Surgical treatment

Experts choose appropriate treatment methods based on the clinical manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis. In advanced cases, surgical intervention is carried out, within the framework of:

• Discectomy;
• Removal of herniated intervertebral discs;
• Surgical intervention for spinal stenosis;
• Disk replacement.

The traditional method of treating thoracic osteochondrosis

Usually, after the main treatment is completed, the methods of traditional medicine are considered relevant. In this case, herbal infusions and decoctions, dressings, various ointments and gels can be used. Basically, these funds are used to relieve low-intensity painful manifestations, which will be produced after physical exertion. The following recipes are the most commonly used:

• The celery root juice is peeled, ground and juiced. The resulting raw material is mixed with celery. The main purpose of this tool is to combat salt deposits in the spine;
• Crush the dried sunflower roots and add hot water to the mixture. Boil on low heat for about 15 minutes, then keep straining. Take 3 times throughout the day.

Pregnancy medication

It should be remembered that most anesthetics are not allowed during pregnancy. Neurologists recommend limiting the intake of gels, ointments, and patches. In most cases, if a pregnant woman is diagnosed with thoracic osteochondrosis, the treatment will be reduced to physical therapy and massage, and its positive effects are confirmedHuman result. . .

Possible complications

If the patient is diagnosed with thoracic osteochondrosis, but does not take timely measures, this may cause gastrointestinal dysfunction, respiratory system inflammation, arrhythmia, and deterioration of reproductive function.

If the nerve endings are severely compressed, they can feel:

• Pathological processes in the kidney area;
• Chronic pain syndrome;
• Worsening of heart activity;
• The development of a herniated disc;
• There is a feeling of stiffness in the spine.

Precaution

In order to eliminate the possibility of negative consequences in the context of chest osteochondrosis, any experienced doctor will recommend that you follow the following preventive rules:

• Avoid contact with thermal irritants;
• Refuse to use tobacco products and drink alcoholic beverages;
• Do gymnastics exercises;
• Track your posture;
• Reject bacon and spicy food;
• Sleep in a comfortable bed;
• Eliminate increased physical activity;
• Take the medicine that restores your cartilage tissue once within 6 months;
• Visit a specialist regularly to check the condition of the spine.

With the timely detection of pathology and the implementation of effective treatment measures, the prognosis is good.