A disease such as thoracic osteochondrosis is quite common, but it is much less common than other forms of this disease.Initially, it occurs without pronounced symptoms, then it is often diagnosed in a complicated form, when pain becomes noticeable.
The occurrence of thoracic osteochondrosis
In modern medicine, the causes of osteochondrosis of the chest have not yet been established.Although there are factors whose influence is considered an indirect cause of onset.They are the following:
- Inheritance.If your closest relatives have been exposed to such a disease, there is a high probability that sooner or later it will make itself felt.For this reason, when taking medical history, doctors ask about genetic diseases suffered by relatives.
- Changes that the body undergoes due to growth and aging.Intervertebral discs inevitably undergo metamorphosis, depending on the contraction of hydrophilic tissues and the decrease in chondroitin sulfate synthesis.
- Back injuries received once or become chronic.The latter option is typical for professional athletes or people whose activities involve intense physical activity.
- Microcirculation disorders in the spine.May be complicated by atherosclerosis.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has many different symptoms.Due to the fact that all internal organs “rest” on the spine, advanced disease can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, pancreas, heart and intestinal diseases.Most often, osteochondrosis of the chest makes itself felt when there is pain between the ribs, painful sensations during exhalation and inhalation, discomfort when moving the arms up and bending the torso.
The form of osteochondrosis is often determined by pain between the ribs, which makes breathing difficult.The pain is felt much stronger at night, with hypothermia, vibrations, bending and turning of the body.Often such symptoms are attributed to heart disease, the difference is that with diseases of the spine the pain occurs for a longer period of time and nitroglycerin does not eliminate them.Heart disease can cause blood pressure to “jump,” which doesn't happen with osteochondrosis.
Dorsago and dorsalgia
Dorsago is a sharp pain in the chest that appears unexpectedly.Most often it manifests itself in those people who sit and bend over for a long time.
It can be observed when you stand up suddenly after sitting for a long time.The pain is very intense, so much so that breathing becomes difficult.There is an increase in muscle tension, which leads to a reduction in movement in various parts of the spine.
Darsalgia does not present particularly pronounced manifestations for 3 weeks.Accompanied by sensations that are more unpleasant than painful.Severe pain may occur only with deep sighs, turning and bending.You may experience increased muscle tension and stiffness in your upper and lower back.
As in the case of Dorsago, the pain sensation worsens during the night.
To get rid of the pain, you need to walk a little.
You may also experience symptoms that make it difficult to make a correct diagnosis.With disease in the upper segment of the chest, pain may appear in the pharynx and esophagus.When the central part of the spine is affected, sensations occur in the area of the right hypochondrium, which is also a symptom of pancreatitis, cholecystitis and other diseases.With osteochondrosis of the lower thoracic region, symptoms similar to intestinal pathology occur.
During the study, specialists established connections between pain and physical activity.Most often, the pain appears after lunch, intensifies at night, but disappears after a healthy night's sleep.You should not delay the treatment of this disease, as it can lead to more serious pathologies of other organs and systems.The most dangerous of these is cardiovascular pathology and dystrophic changes of the heart muscle.Thoracic osteochondrosis can cause disruptions in the functioning of the duodenum and intestinal motility disorders.
Diagnostics
The main diagnostic method used to identify the pathology of osteochondrosis is radiographic examination.The following symptoms are characteristic of this pathology:
- degenerative movements;
- reduction of the spinal canal;
- reduction in the height of the intervertebral discs, formation of irregular contours;
- bone growths;
- the spine changes shape significantly.
In some particularly complex cases the use of computed tomography is permitted.But during this procedure there is a high risk of radiation exposure and therefore, if there is no urgent need for it, it is better to refrain from such diagnostics.
The neurologist also conducts some studies to determine possible disorders of the nervous system.Procedures include electroneuromyography and observation of tendon reflexes.Cardiographic observations are made to track the degree of influence of the disease on the functioning of the heart.Such studies can predetermine the appearance of ischemic pathology and it will be possible to control blood pressure.
Treatment
After diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe the following medications:
- NSAIDs.They are prescribed to eliminate pain.
- Corticosteroids can be taken, but only in case of severe pain.If the pain does not have sufficient intensity, its elimination is limited to taking non-steroidal drugs.
- Diuretics to relieve swelling.
- B vitamins are used to stimulate blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors are prescribed for the regeneration of damaged cartilage.
Ointments for the treatment of this form of osteochondrosis are not as effective as they should and are more suitable for other types of diseases.For those who do not trust or are simply not supporters of pharmacological treatments, there are several other methods that exclude the use of drugs.These include acupuncture, electrophoresis, laser, cigar, vacuum, manual therapy, traditional massage and cupping.For such treatment to be effective, it is imperative to contact specially trained specialists with experience in this field.Properly selected treatment methods will help stimulate blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms and relieve pain.Proper physical activity is necessary, including therapeutic exercises and swimming.A fairly important factor in recovery is proper nutrition.
Osteochondrosis of any form and the thoracic region in particular is a very unpleasant pathology.When the first symptoms appear, it is important to promptly contact a specialist so that he can choose the appropriate treatment.A delay can lead to a worsening of the disease.