Osteochondrosis is a chronic pathological process in which the vertebrae and intervertebral discs located between them undergo degenerative-dystrophic changes. Most often, this disease affects the cervical spine and lumbar spine. Thoracic spine is affected much less frequently, but this pathology presents certain difficulties in terms of differential diagnosis, as it can be confused with heart disease, lung disease or any other disease. In this article, we will examine thoracic osteochondrosis in terms of symptoms and treatment.
Clinical picture in osteochondrosis of the chest region
The main clinical sign of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the thoracic spine is pain syndrome localized between the shoulder blades, in the chest, along the ribs, etc.
Some patients report moderate pain, others report extremely severe pain. Pain syndrome is aggravated by deep breathing, turning or tilting the torso, raising the arms, and other types of physical activity. Due to the localization of pain, osteochondrosis can be confused with angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, pancreatitis and some other diseases. It is extremely important to make a complete differential diagnosis.
Due to the severe pain, the patient can not breathe deeply, which makes him feel short of breath. In parallel, sensitive disorders of the upper extremities are often observed in the form of their numbness, tingling sensation and much more, muscle tension in the spine. In some cases, the clinical picture is supplemented by disorders in the digestive system, for example, bloating, epigastric pain, heartburn, etc.
Treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis
First of all, during the period of worsening osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, it is recommended to adhere to bed or at least half bed.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain.
In 2014, scientists from the National Medical University of Kazakhstan published a paper, the results of which determined the effectiveness of complex treatment of osteochondrosis with the use of muscle relaxants.
As for muscle relaxants, they aim to stop muscle spasm.
The treatment plan is necessarily supplemented with B vitamins, physiotherapy procedures. Electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, phonophoresis, etc. can be used as physiotherapeutic methods.
After stopping the acute process, the patient may be prescribed massage courses, therapeutic exercises.
In some cases, the issue of surgical intervention may be decided, for example, in the presence of an intervertebral hernia that compresses the spinal cord.