Dystrophic as well as degenerative processes that occur in the human spine, usually lead to the appearance of a disease such as osteochondrosis. This pathology can affect part of the ridge or the entire spine. Some parts of the spine are affected more often, some less often.
In the thoracic region of the spine, the vertebrae differ in strength, they are larger than the others. In addition, in this part of the ridge there is less mobility, it is subject to less pressure and the muscles perfectly support the skeleton.
Defeat of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is diagnosed much less often. This pathology usually progresses to manifestations similar to the symptoms of many diseases and, depending on the level of destruction of the intervertebral discs, is classified by degree.
Grade 1 thoracic osteochondrosis: symptoms
In patients suffering from the initial stage of thoracic osteochondrosis, a decrease in the elasticity of the discs between the vertebrae of the ridge is observed. Possible protrusion of the fibrous ring.
In the early stages of the disease, the following symptoms may be observed:
- the patient suffers from acute penetrating pain. Appears after physical activity, exercise or lifting heavy objects. Pain is pain, continuous, not intense, accompanied by back pain.
- as a result of high load, an unexpected rupture of the capsule occurs in the intervertebral disc and cracks form. As a result, the nucleus penetrates through the cracks, irritating the nerves in the spine.
- this degree of disease progresses with intense muscle tension. As a result, the space in the intervertebral discs narrows more and the pain intensifies.
Chest osteochondrosis can present with pain in the heart area, in the digestive organs, in the kidneys. At this stage of the disease, the scars are erased and are difficult to diagnose.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine of the 1st degree
Chest osteochondrosis in the early stages is easier to treat. The treatment of the disease aims to eliminate the manifestations of the disease and to heal the rupture of the capsule.
As inflammatory processes occur in the tissues, causing severe pain, treatment begins with the use of painkillers in the form of tablets or injections.
Drugs that help dilate blood vessels are prescribed to relieve convulsions and increase blood flow to the affected part of the spine. Daily intravenous administration of sodium chloride will help relieve swelling. The duration of such treatment is 5 days.
In addition, chondroprotectants are prescribed for treatment. These drugs act on the affected areas and help the tissues to heal.
To stop the inflammation, doctors often prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, we must remember that taking these drugs can worsen the course of pre-existing chronic diseases, especially pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. For this reason, the duration of taking non-steroidal drugs should not exceed 10 days.
All medicines should only be prescribed by a doctor. To achieve positive results, the patient must strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor: dosage, time of taking the drug and duration of treatment.
All drugs prescribed for treatment can be classified:
- antihistamines;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- vasoactive agents.
The patient is advised to observe one month of bed rest, it is recommended to undergo physiotherapy procedures.
For precautionary purposes, ridge extraction is important. For this, it is not necessary to go to the gym. In every sports area there is always a suitable horizontal bar. It is recommended to hang for a few minutes once a day. This procedure helps relieve stress from the intervertebral discs of all ridge zones.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine 2 degrees: symptoms
If in the initial stages the disease is not betrayed and treatment is not started, then the disease passes to the 2nd degree. With this pathology, a consequent decrease in the elasticity of the discs between the vertebrae occurs, hernias may form and narrowing of the intervertebral foramen is observed. The second stage of the disease is characterized by neurological syndrome, as well as painful sensations.
This stage of ridge disease is difficult to diagnose and progresses to signs similar to heart attack, angina or pneumonia.
The following signs of grade 2 thoracic osteochondrosis should be noted:
- constant pain in the affected area.
- arterial hypotension may be observed.
- abnormal mobility of the ridge section occurs.
- as a result of the thinning of the capsule, the mobility of the joint increases.
- due to the instability of the spine, scoliosis is formed.
- the vessels of the spinal cord are gradually affected.
With 2 degrees of thoracic osteochondrosis, pain occurs:
- on the chest. Such pains worsen after a long stay in one place.
- in the intervertebral region of the back.
- with a deep breath or exhalation;
- when turning, as well as tilting the body, when raising the arms high.
With this pathology in the sternum there is a feeling of compression as well as stiffness.
Grade 2 disease can occur with intestinal pathologies, dyspnea. The patient complains of peeling skin, headaches and pain in the heart area.
This pathology can last for years, with alternating periods of exacerbations and relapses.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region 2nd degree
The disease requires urgent complex treatment. To relieve pain, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs. For the effectiveness of the treatment, manual therapy sessions as well as massage are prescribed. These procedures improve the blood supply to the spine.
Early treatment can significantly slow down the pathological processes in the spine and in some cases completely stop the development of osteochondrosis.
Quite often, thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is mistaken for heart disease or other diseases. It is necessary, when the first manifestations appear, to consult a doctor for the differential diagnosis of osteochondrosis from various diseases and the appointment of effective treatment.