chest osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a long-term disease. Most often, when assessing the severity of the pathological process, four stages are distinguished:

• The first stage is the period of initial changes in the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc, which are often ignored by patients;
• The second stage corresponds to the development of instability in the affected spinal segment and a decrease in disc height;
• The third stage is characterized by the presence of hernia or osteochondral growth - osteophytes; the annulus fibrosus is almost destroyed in this stage;
• Stage IV is characterized by irreversible damage to all structures providing intervertebral joints, disc fibrosis, and loss of mobility of the affected segments.

Causes of Osteochondrosis of the Chest

Research shows that starting around age 20, our vertebrae slowly begin to degenerate. As we age, wear and tear on the spine gradually increases. Due to degenerative processes, the thickness of the intervertebral disc, which acts as a shock absorber, decreases. In addition, abnormal structures can appear at the bony edges of adjacent vertebrae: bone spurs, spinal osteophytes, which can reduce range of motion.Degenerative dystrophic changes begin in the nucleus pulposus and then spread to the annulus fibrosus and other structural elements of the vertebrae, causing the characteristic symptoms.Due to water loss, the nucleus pulposus no longer distributes vertical loads evenly. This can have a negative impact on the annulus fibrosus. Excessive compression (compression) can cause mechanical damage, cracks and cracks. The joints begin to experience excessive stress, gradually leading to spinal instability and pain.Therefore, the main cause of osteochondrosis is natural aging. However, its development is also facilitated by a combination of many adverse factors that increase the likelihood of the disease manifesting itself. These include:

• smokes;
• Surgical intervention in the spine;
• Injury to this part of the spine;
• Curvature of the spine (scoliosis);
• Weakness of back muscles;
• Being overweight;
• Increase the load on the spine.

It is believed that the degeneration (aging) of the cartilage and bone tissue of the vertebrae is genetically determined and progresses to a disease state with characteristic symptoms and manifestations under the influence of external and internal factors. The process can be started earlier if damage (mechanical, inflammatory, etc. ) occurred before the process.

Symptoms of chest osteochondrosis

The symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis depend on the stage of the pathological process and the existing structural derangement. Unlike other regions of the spine (cervical, lumbar), radiculopathy and other neurological complications are less common in the thoracic region. This is because the presence of the thoracic bone framework limits the displacement and compression of this part of the spine. Most commonly, pain in the chest area (back pain or thoracolumbar pain) is associated with intervertebral joint immobilization. refer to! Thoracolumbar or back pain in neurology refers to high-intensity acute pain occurring in the thoracic spine, often associated with difficulty breathing. The cause of this condition is severe spasm of the back muscles. It should not be ignored, because. . . Myocardial infarction may also begin similarly, and frequent low back pain may be related to serious pathologies in the body.The pain may last from a few hours to a few days. Generally, it is not as severe as injuries to other parts of the spine, but is also related to the movement of the spine. Additionally, hypertonia of the muscles in this area is detected, which may be accompanied by hand weakness and numbness.Pain can be dull, burning, deep, paroxysmal, or constant. It can be felt in the chest, heart, and other organ areas. Patients describe it as "a stake in the chest, " "a hoop compressing the chest, " and "a knife hammering between the shoulder blades. "This part is characterized by radiating and circumferential pain associated with deep sighing, coughing, and sudden movements of the chest.If left untreated, thoracic osteochondrosis is often complicated by intercostal neuralgia. In this case, the burning pain may be localized to the heart area and may be mistaken by the patient for a sign of heart disease.important! If you experience pain in the heart area, you should not try to make a differential diagnosis on your own. In order to rule out heart disease and prevent the progression of pathological processes in the spine, it is important not to delay seeing a doctor, not to wait for the pain to disappear, and not to self-medicate.Pain may worsen with physical activity, bending, and psycho-emotional stress. When extreme vertebrae in the area are affected, pain can radiate to the lower back, sacrum, and even hips.

Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis

The diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is a multistage process. First, the doctor will collect medical records:

• Understand your medical history;
• Do you have a close relative with spinal disease?
• How long ago did symptoms begin and how intense they are;
• What are the accompanying diseases?

A physical examination of the patient is required, including skin examination, assessment of postural disorders, and palpation (feeling) of the muscles near the spine. A neurological examination may be performed to make the diagnosis.

Instrument diagnostics

Diagnostic imaging allows you to assess the extent of cartilage damage, identify other existing conditions, and rule out conditions with similar symptoms. Recommended instrumental diagnostic methods for thoracic osteochondrosis include:

• X-ray (myelogram) - provides information about bone structure, presence of osteophytes, condition of facet joints;
• CT (computed tomography) allows you to examine everything in detail and, if necessary, take measurements; it has advantages over MRI in diagnosing pathologies of bone structures;
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) allows you to evaluate the condition of soft tissues, diagnose inflammatory processes, tumors, spinal hernias, identify pathological changes in cartilage, bones, ligaments, blood vessels and determine the degree of spinal stenosis. Vascular pathology and tissue circulation disorders of the thoracic spine can be detected using MRI.

Drug blockade may also be used for diagnostic purposes. Because pain can manifest in a variety of ways, additional studies are often needed to rule out:

• Angina pectoris;
• myocardial infarction;
• aortic aneurysm,
• cholecystitis,
• stomach ulcer;
• pneumonia;
• Tumor diseases, etc.

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

Thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease that requires complex treatment. In addition to medication to relieve pain, it is important to contact experts in the fields of traumatology and neurology to find out the exact cause of disturbing symptoms.Treatment strategies will depend on the severity of the disease. Typically, the first treatment option is conservative treatments such as physical therapy, NSAIDs, heat therapy, and nerve block injections.Exercise therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis strengthens the muscles of the back and interscapular area, creates muscle corsets and correct posture, provides muscle relaxation and improves blood circulation in this part of the spine. For osteochondrosis in this area, breathing exercises, bringing the shoulder blades together, and rotating the shoulders are useful.Massage helps normalize blood supply, lymphatic drainage, and activate metabolic processes. The drug is prescribed outside of exacerbations when the patient is not suffering from severe pain. Various types of medical massage are used: manual (hand), underwater, vacuum.Manual therapy methods are also popular. Chiropractors use blocks and clamps on the musculoskeletal system and use various techniques to remove them. Acupressure or acupressure can also be performed for acute pain. During this process, the doctor uses his fingers to press certain acupoints with varying degrees of intensity, creating a therapeutic effect on the entire body.Physical therapy techniques are quite effective in treating thoracic osteochondrosis. They help reduce pain, improve blood circulation, and strengthen spinal muscles. Among them:

• Ultrasound therapy;
• drug electrophoresis;
• Laser treatment of the spinal area;
• transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation;
• exposure to magnetic fields;
• Electric pulse therapy.

To enhance the therapeutic effect, a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments is recommended. Treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis can take a long time, but results are noticeable after the first surgery. The main thing is not to delay visiting a doctor and start treatment at an early stage of the disease. If conservative treatments don't help, surgery may be needed. The most common are decompression and stabilization operations. They can help you stop compression of the spinal cord, nerve roots by hernias, osteophytes, or hypertrophic ligaments, and repair affected segments.After surgical treatment, you will need to wear a special corset for a period of time. After discharge, medical rehabilitation will be provided.

Home Treatment for Chest Osteochondrosis

Treating thoracic osteochondrosis at home may be effective if a few conditions are met. First, the diagnosis must be confirmed after a thorough examination by a specialist. Treatment should also be discussed with your doctor to ensure there are no contraindications if there are concomitant medical conditions.The most important and basic thing is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, control your weight, and increase enough physical activity. The best way to treat back pain is to exercise. They will help strengthen your back muscles, improve blood circulation, and cope with stress more easily, thus preventing the progression of the disease.If the condition worsens or severe, severe pain occurs, it is best to lie down and make sure your spine is rested. Heat therapy and massage can help cope with unpleasant sensations. In any case, home therapy does not replace the consultation of a specialist and the implementation of his recommendations. Uncontrolled self-medication may lead to worsening of the condition and development of complications.

Which doctor should I contact?

Neurologists and orthopedic surgeons treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. They diagnose, make a diagnosis and choose appropriate treatment. Patients may also need to consult with a physical therapist and exercise therapy doctor.You can also talk to a therapist if you have chest pain. He will analyze the clinical manifestations, prescribe the necessary tests and refer you to a specialist.

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

Doctors at a clinic in your area will help you manage the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis. In most cases, almost all clinics have the necessary modern diagnostic equipment, which allows you to obtain the most accurate information about the condition of your spine and choose the most effective treatment. Various experienced specialists help patients regain their health in comfortable conditions: neurologists, orthopedists, physiotherapists, massage therapists, therapists.If necessary, in modern reality it is possible to obtain the advice of other professional experts in the shortest possible time without having to queue. If any questions arise, advisors are ready to help. Fill out the feedback form online and they'll be sure to call you back.