Sternal osteochondrosis is a very dangerous pathology, and its diagnosis process is difficult. Therefore, the disease can usually be recognized only in the late stage. Initially, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered a disease of the elderly, but recently this disease has a clear trend of "rejuvenation", so understanding its main symptoms and treatment methods is very important to improve clinical efficacy. Pictures of diseases.
The complexity of the diagnosis is due to the fact that the vertebrae located in the thoracic spine area are least susceptible to pressure and injury. However, the inconvenience of mobility does not guarantee safety. Therefore, lesions in this department are also common. According to statistics, this disease has no direct relationship with the aging process and gender.
Disease specificity
The characteristic of this disease is that the pathological process leads to negative changes in the tissue structure. As a result, the fibrous annulus of the intervertebral disc itself will be destroyed, resulting in a herniated nucleus pulposus. This situation is dangerous because of the risk of spinal cord compression and further disability.
The progression of childhood disease can cause the musculoskeletal system to age prematurely before it finally forms. This is why it is extremely important to diagnose the pathology in the early stage when the vertebrae and adjacent tissues have not yet been destroyed.
Clinical symptoms
This disease manifests itself in completely different ways, depending on the stage. Therefore, we will focus on the general symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- pain. It may appear not only when performing any action, but also when staying in a static position for a long time.
- Stiff movements that prevent the body from rotating freely.
- Shortness of breath, caused by a strong feeling of pressure in the middle of the back.
- Problems with the function of the gastrointestinal tract and other internal organs.
Usually, the disease manifests as pain on the left side of the chest, which can be explained as a symptom of heart disease. This complicates the diagnosis, but experts will assess the overall situation of all patients' complaints, which makes it possible to correctly interpret all existing symptoms.
To understand the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, you can seek qualified help in time. We recommend that you pay more attention to the signals from your body.
When making a diagnosis, it is important to understand the manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis, because this disease is very insidious and can easily be confused with other diseases. According to the nature of the pain, the main types of thoracic osteochondrosis can be distinguished. One condition is characterized by prolonged pain in the damaged area of the spine, and the second condition is characterized by an acute attack that literally inhibits a person's movements and makes it difficult to breathe.
Cause
The following causes of thoracic osteochondrosis can be distinguished:
- A pathological process that negatively affects the structure of the intervertebral disc. Especially this disease has a certain genetic predisposition.
- Lack of activities related to the performance of their job functions and the characteristics of leisure activities.
- Scoliosis, which is the cause of increased pressure in certain parts of the spine.
- Mechanical injury of the chest.
- Strength training related to lifting large loads.
- There are often stressful situations.
- Hypothermia of the body.
- Calcium deficiency.
- hormone imbalance.
Disease classification
Thoracic intervertebral osteochondrosis develops in stages, and each stage has its own negative manifestations:
- The first level. The initial stage of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region is characterized by loss of water in the intervertebral disc. The elasticity is reduced, and a low-intensity pain sensation appears. When a person adopts a comfortable posture, this sensation disappears completely.
- The second degree. The disc continues to lose moisture. As a result, it became smaller and cracks appeared, some of which were deep. Muscle corsets try to adapt and try to maintain the stability of the spine, which can cause cramps and severe pain in the back, chest, and limbs.
- Three degrees. At this stage, there is an outward breakthrough of the nucleus pulposus. At its core is an intervertebral hernia, and the pain lasts all day. One is forced to change the type of activity to less intense discomfort.
- Level four. The prolongation of thoracic osteochondrosis is dangerous because at the injury site, all tissues begin to undergo severe reorganization. The annulus tissue is naturally replaced by bone, which can cause severe exercise stiffness. The appearance of osteophytes and deformities of the spine were also observed.
Exacerbation period
The manifestation of thoracic osteochondrosis in the acute stage is characterized by paroxysmal pain, which is extremely difficult to relieve by temporary means. Self-medication at this stage is unacceptable, so you should see a doctor or call an emergency number to relieve the pain.
Only a neurologist can correctly interpret your main complaint and prescribe appropriate follow-up examinations and treatment plans for you. During the worsening period, it is extremely important to relieve the patient's condition.
The exacerbation of the disease can be caused by a variety of factors, including stressful conditions, hypothermia, and activities related to high loads. In this case, it is observed that the patient's health condition has deteriorated significantly, breathing may be difficult, and mobility may be inconvenient. In some cases, hospitalization may be required.
Basic diagnosis method
The signs of thoracic osteochondrosis are pain in different parts, stiffness of movement, and difficulty breathing. The complexity of diagnosis is that a large number of diseases of various natures fit this description. In particular, there is such a concept-"gastric syndrome", which is characterized by pain in the upper abdomen, which can easily be misunderstood as a manifestation of gastritis or other gastrointestinal diseases.
Only modern diagnostic methods can make an accurate diagnosis, and neurologists will prescribe an appropriate treatment plan on this basis. It all started with detailed interviews with patients to clarify existing complaints and related diseases.
After collecting the medical history, the doctor will directly check it through a special test. The patient must then undergo the necessary laboratory tests, as well as X-rays and MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging allows you to study the state of the spine in more detail, identify the existing pathology, the size and location of the hernia (if any).
How is the treatment process?
It is very important to know how to deal with osteochondrosis in the chest area. After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe a separate treatment plan for the patient. It is necessary to consider age and the presence of concomitant diseases, as well as allergies to certain drugs.
In the first stage, various drugs are used for treatment: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, and antispasmodics.
The main goal of this stage is to relieve the patient's condition and reduce pain syndrome and muscle spasm. In particularly severe cases, analgesics are used when the acute pain needs to be relieved immediately.
Topical medications in the form of ointments and gels can also be used, but their effectiveness is slightly lower because it is difficult to deliver the active substance to the lesion.
Generally speaking, the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is a comprehensive method that combines the use of several methods at the same time. Only this kind of treatment can bring a one-time positive result, but over time, the clinical situation will improve.
physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is performed after the pain is relieved. It is very important to perform all movements slowly and avoid sudden movements to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Remember, if exercise causes you pain, stop immediately and see a doctor.
Massage procedure
Muscle cramps, hypertonicity, pain-this is the manifestation of thoracic osteochondrosis. In order to eliminate these symptoms, massage can be used, which should be performed by qualified professionals. These procedures can be used not only for therapeutic purposes, but also as a good preventive measure.
prevention
If you strictly follow certain medical recommendations, the consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis will not be so serious. If a specialist has prescribed bed rest for you, then you must not ignore this, otherwise your condition may worsen. A person should restrict himself from participating in sports activities, so he will have to refuse to go to the gym for weight training.
An important part of primary prevention is the timely detection of people with initial signs of thoracic osteochondrosis during the physical examination. Another equally important point is proper nutrition, which means avoiding certain foods. It is necessary to limit the use of salt, so bacon, various spicy spices and kimchi must be removed from the diet.
The use of drugs with chondroprotective effects is very important, it can slow down the progression of thoracic osteochondrosis, nourish and improve the metabolic process of cartilage tissue.
in conclusion
Sternal osteochondrosis of the spine is treatable. For this, you must strictly follow the advice of the attending physician and follow the established treatment plan. The initial thoracic osteochondrosis is the best treatment, so it is very important to pay more attention to your body and respond to the mildest symptoms of the disease.
In order to avoid possible recurrence, you need to take preventive measures and monitor your posture, which is especially important during sedentary work. Only contact qualified doctors, because only they can prescribe an effective treatment plan and further recovery.