Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is rare; symptoms of damage to the cervical and lumbar regions are more common. Thoracic osteochondrosis poses a threat to human health. Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the chest, given the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest, the diagnosis is problematic, as a result, the patient learns about the disease at a late stage.
The chest is not mobile, like other parts of the spine. The sternum is not under constant tension. The factors explain the time when the disease in the initial stages does not present pronounced symptoms. The chest has a complex structure, the immobility of the thoracic region is associated with the structure of the spine. The combination of the spine and ribs provides a reliable and durable structure that resists injury.
Osteochondrosis of the chest develops with a slight displacement of the vertebrae, which occurs under the influence of stress. Osteochondrosis will not keep you waiting if a person has a curvature of posture, spine. The development of osteochondrosis is not as noticeable as in other parts of the spine, reaching a difficult stage, symptoms appear, similar to the manifestations of the disease in the neck, lower back.
Causes of pain
Painful sensations do not arise for no reason. Pain syndrome is a vivid symptom of the disease. When osteochondrosis develops, the chest hurts. Manifestations of pain appear when a person has a deformation of the intervertebral discs. This means its thinning, bulging, the formation of intervertebral hernias. Pain cannot be avoided when joint changes occur. We are talking about the formation of osteophytes, the destruction of cartilaginous tissue.
Late visit to the doctor, refusal to go to the hospital, lack of treatment, improper implementation of it, threatens a person with radiculopathy. The medical term refers to compression of the nerve roots located in the spinal cord. Compression of the spinal cord must be attributed. The possibility of spinal cord injury is not excluded.
Pain syndrome
No matter how difficult it is to diagnose the disease, it will begin to manifest itself. In the early stages of the development of osteochondrosis, it is difficult to identify the symptoms; in a difficult stage, they do not hide their presence. Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are conventionally divided into two groups. The first is pain, the second is neurological manifestations.
The pain syndrome manifests itself in two forms: dorsagus, back pain. Often the pain is located in the upper back, hidden between the ribs. It often occurs when, with body movements, turning, the appearance of coughing, deep breathing, a person experiences severe pain in the waist located between the ribs.
Thoracic osteochondrosis attacks are mistaken for heart disease. The fault is many autonomous nerve fibers located in the thoracic region. Thanks to them, the manifestations of osteochondrosis are similar to the symptoms of heart disease: pain on the left side of the sternum, the development of an inflammatory process in the gallbladder. It is possible that simulators of stomach diseases appear, symptoms similar to those of an ulcer, gastritis.
Neurological symptoms
Thoracic osteochondrosis has a group of neurological symptoms:
- Numbness, flattening of the lower extremities;
- Numbness of the chest;
- Numbness of the abdomen, pelvis;
- Reflex tension of the muscular corset in the back, chest;
- Potency violation;
- Alteration of the genitals, pelvic organs.
Complications of thoracic osteochondrosis, one of which is considered herpes zoster, are not excluded. It is important to identify the disease at an early stage of development. The symptomatology of the disease is extensive, unusual, there is a high risk of incorrectly identifying the disease.
Signs
The disease has symptoms. Among the signs, the appearance of numbness in parts of the body is noted.
The person begins to feel ticklish (the appearance of goose bumps). With thoracic osteochondrosis, a sharp local decrease in temperature in the lower extremities is possible. Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by irritation, a burning sensation, and itching.
Osteochondrosis is characterized by increased fragility of the nails. It is possible the appearance of an unhealthy skin condition, peeling, especially on the face. The signs are associated with vascular dysfunction. Another sign is a failure in the gastrointestinal tract system, as a result of which a person suffering from osteochondrosis often experiences indigestion, flatulence.
Dorsago
The diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis begins with the identification of the main symptoms of the disease: vertebral syndromes: dorsagus, back pain.
Dorsago is an acute pain of sudden character that appears in the region of the sternum. Often the syndrome affects people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, whose profession involves being in the workplace for 8 hours a day, sitting in front of a computer. It should be attributed to drivers who rarely leave the place near the steering wheel of the car.
Dorsago is called "chest lumbago" because it unexpectedly hits the area between the shoulder blades with force, as if a knife is being stabbed into it. The appearance of the syndrome is usually accompanied by shortness of breath. Dorsago is mistaken for myocardial infarction. Treatment of the disease must be started earlier; otherwise, it will not be difficult to confuse the disease. Improper treatment will lead to complex consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Back pain
Back pain syndrome manifests itself at a slower rate, tormenting the patient for 3 weeks. It is easy to identify the syndrome, it consists of a slight sensation of pain present in the inflamed area. The manifestations cause discomfort in the person, which causes them to go to the hospital for help. With back pain, the following are possible:
- An increase in the intensity of pain with a deep breath, cough;
- Muscle contracture;
- Decreased motor activity in the neck, lower back;
- The appearance of muscle spasm;
- An increase in the intensity of night pain, with physical activity.
There are two types of back pain: upper, lower. With the upper part, the main area of injury is in the upper part of the sternum (in the neck area), for the second option, pain in the lumbar region and the sacrum is characteristic.
It is important not to confuse the manifestations of back pain with the appearance of pneumonia; The manifestations are similar, improper treatment will aggravate the situation. Osteochondrosis during lactation manifests itself through such symptoms, treatment should be carried out carefully, under the supervision of a doctor. Taking drugs is selected on the basis of acceptable ones, it is unacceptable to put your health, the health of the child at risk.