Chest osteochondrosis is a nasty disease that has a long and often inconspicuous 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 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 the person decides to seek medical help. Often the disease is confused with other pathologies in the body: arrhythmia, pneumonia, gastritis. Due to inaction, the disease continues to develop, acquiring 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. However, there are a few symptoms that are best to look out for when they occur:
- Feeling of pain in the chest. It can be confused with intercostal neuralgia;
- Unpleasant recoil in the shoulder;
- Numbness in the heart, kidneys or stomach;
- Lack of obvious symptoms of back pain.
In stage 1, only thickening and reduction of the elasticity of the cartilaginous intervertebral tissue is observed. The spine remains quite mobile. Due to the fact that the disease manifests itself mainly in other parts of the body, without pathology in the immediate area, diagnosis is difficult.
Symptoms of grade 2 thoracic osteochondrosis
The transition of the disease to stage 2 means a reduction in the height of the intervertebral disc. As a result, the spine becomes less stable and the vertebrae become unhealthy. At this stage, patients experience severe pain, signaling problems with the spine.
Grade 2 osteochondrosis, unlike grade 1 disease, is accompanied by pathological changes that are difficult to return to health. The morphological symptoms of the disease are manifested in the form of rupture of capsules and the formation of protrusions. A common phenomenon at this stage is the appearance of a crack in the fibrous ring. Therefore, the painful sensations are clearly felt directly in the affected area of the spine, which makes the diagnosis much simpler. Clinically, such osteochondrosis looks like this:
- Recurrent chest pain;
- Tingling in the chest.
- When you stay in one position for a long time, discomfort occurs;
- When you try to put your hand behind your head, there is sharp pain;
- Reduced blood pressure;
- The appearance of scoliosis.
The onset of grade 2 osteochondrosis is caused by a lack or poor treatment of grade 1 disease.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis grade 3
If the treatment of grade 2 osteochondrosis is performed poorly or untimely, then the disease progresses to 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 absorbing abilities of the vertebrae are sharply reduced, leading to the formation of intervertebral protrusions and hernias, followed by pinching of nerves. The symptoms are constant and severe, causing complete discomfort:
- The appearance of sharp pain at the time of coughing, deep breathing or just laughing;
- Persistent painful pain in the affected area of the back;
- Intercostal neuralgia;
- Feeling of pain in the heart;
- Possible tingling and cramps in 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 permanently obsessive. After each dynamic or static load, there is a sharp increase in pain, which continues even in the supine position. If this stage also begins, there is a change in the bone marrow and disability occurs.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis 2, 3 degrees
There is only a small part of the probability that the disease will develop in the opposite direction. In general, in the treatment of osteochondrosis having grade 2 or 3, a delay or cessation of the degenerative development of the disease is observed.
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 to relieve pain, stimulate tissue microcirculation and reduce inflammation. Medications relieve unpleasant symptoms by 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, which may:
- Relieve constant pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed;
- Keep fluids in the cavity of the intervertebral disc. It is recommended to use papain;
- Relieve cramps and pinching. Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics help;
- Restore healthier cartilage. Chondroprotector intake is indicated.
- Non-medicinal. This type of therapy has a positive effect both alone and in combination with traditional treatment. There are a huge number of ways in the world to improve the condition of a person with osteochondrosis. The main ones are:
- Production of funds according to the recommendations of traditional medicine. Application found in infusions and decoctions of celery root or sunflower root, various ointments.
- Acupuncture;
- Assistance in manual and post-isometric therapy;
- Physiotherapy;
- Plastic massage;
- Adjustment of the patient's lifestyle and diet;
- 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 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 conduct various preventive procedures, add physical education to life and follow the rules of a healthy diet.