Symptoms of Osteochondrosis of the Thoracic Spine

Thoracic spine osteochondrosis occurs with damage to the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine. The symptomatology of the disease is similar to the manifestations of cervical and lumbar pathologies. Thoracic osteochondrosis is difficult and rarely diagnosed.

doctor examines the back with thoracic osteochondrosis

Symptoms of Thoracic Osteochondrosis in Women

This disease is rare in women as there is less stress on the thoracic spine than on other parts of the spine. Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is quite difficult to diagnose, as the disease usually manifests at the stage of disease progression.

The main symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis in women is pain. The pain can usually be localized to the back, sternum and also radiate to the upper limbs. Also, a woman can be tormented by stomach pain. The location of pain depends, first of all, on the stage of the course of the disease.

Typically, with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, a woman experiences constant, non-severe pain of a painful nature. The signs of thoracic osteochondrosis also depend on the sensitivity and individual characteristics of the female body.

In the beautiful half of humanity, the symptoms of the disease are more pronounced: a woman's body is more sensitive and all parts of the spine are thinner than a man's. Degenerative and dystrophic processes in women are more likely to cause negative reactions.

With the defeat of the thoracic section of the ridge, the fair sex has the following symptoms:

  • pain when raising the arm or bending down;
  • pain in the mammary glands;
  • sternum discomfort, aggravated by various loads or prolonged sitting in a sedentary position;
  • pain with deep breathing;
  • severe pain between the shoulder blades in the ridge area;
  • feeling of pressure in the chest;
  • vascular dystonia.

The above symptoms are caused by processes taking place in the spine itself. In the case of the formation of intervertebral hernias, symptoms appear as a result of the development of vascular and neurological pathologies.

No less common manifestations in women of thoracic osteochondrosis:

  • frequent appearance of "chills" and numbness of the shoulders and arms;
  • burning, cold, or itchy sensation in the lower extremities;
  • pain in the heart area;
  • increased nail fragility, skin peeling;
  • pathologies of the functionality of Organs digestive organs: nausea, constipation or diarrhea, bloating.

As osteochondrosis in the chest occurs with symptoms similar to pneumonia, angina pectoris or cardiac pathologies, it is necessary to carry out the differential diagnosis. All of the above manifestations indicate the development of thoracic osteochondrosis. However, you should not self-medicate. Only a doctor can establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an effective treatment.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest in men

Osteochondrosis of the chest in men is often diagnosed when there is a high intensive load on the spine (for example, the disease is often detected in builders, porters, etc. ). Clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis in this case occur gradually, while between the ribs and vertebrae there is slow damage to the joints. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment will be.

In the early stages, thoracic osteochondrosis proceeds without special manifestations, and the man lives without knowing that his disease is progressing. Any discomfort is usually attributed to fatigue that came on after long work or uncomfortable posture.

Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis in a man in the early stages:

  • as a result of compaction of soft tissues, elasticity decreases in the area of the joints and a crisis occurs between the shoulder blades, in the region of the sternum, collarbone;
  • due to the impaired flexibility of the shoulder girdle, it is difficult to lift the arms and place them behind the back;
  • discomfort appears in the affected part of the chest;
  • after prolonged physical activity or standing in a static position, there is a feeling of fatigue in the back;
  • pain appears with deep breathing.

With the progression of the disease, the following symptoms are observed:

  • the pains become more intense and continuous. Due to the constant pressure on the nerve endings, pain is observed even at rest;
  • there is numbness, tingling sensation in areas with impaired sensitivity;
  • there are periodic reflex cramps of the abdominal muscles, continuing with discomfort;
  • a man may be plagued by false attacks of angina pectoris, renal or hepatic colic;
  • possible rupture of Organs pelvic organs, as well as decreased potency;
  • as a result of the formation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic crest, irritable bowel syndrome develops - a pathology of the functionality of Organs digestive organs.

Symptom sensation of coma in thoracic osteochondrosis

The feeling of coma in the sternum occurs in many patients, but not everyone attaches importance to it, as this phenomenon is characterized by a short duration and disappears very quickly.

What causes this phenomenon? Usually, a feeling of coma in the sternum occurs as a result of pathologies of the nervous system. However, sometimes the cause of these sensations is thoracic osteochondrosis, because in the region of the chest there are nerve plexuses in large numbers.

As a result of this pathology, intercostal neuralgia often develops. In this situation, the patient has pressure behind the chest and pain also appears, which intensifies during body movements or when lifting weights. In this case, the pain is similar to a needle prick and intensifies during breathing.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region usually develops due to an incorrect lifestyle, sedentary work and impaired metabolism. Conservative drug treatment, manual and laser therapy will come to the rescue. Patients are encouraged to play sports or fitness.