Causes, symptoms, stages and treatment of thoracic radiculitis

Author

: Grachev Ilya Illarionovich
Editor
: Efremov Mikhail Mikhailovich

Date of publication: 10.10.2014 Date of update: 12.11.2020

A disease that is very easily confused with pneumonia or ischemia is thoracic radiculitis. Very often, this disease is called intercostal neuralgia, since the resulting pain, without proper treatment, quickly spreads throughout the intercostal spaces where the nerves pass.

A characteristic feature is the increased sensitivity of the skin: radiculitis of the thoracic spine causes a person to endure unpleasant sensations even with a simple touch of clothing or a blanket to the skin.

Each type of radiculitis has serious complications, so you should not delay treatment.
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Causes of thoracic radiculitis

Hereditary predisposition, as well as degenerative changes in the discs, are common causes of thoracic radiculitis. First, the central part of the discs begins to suffer, and then their fibrous rings. Other reasons:

• Presence of injuries or diseases of the spine (protrusion, hernia, etc.)
• Excessive exercise
• Viral or infectious diseases
• Incorrect metabolism causes illness due to malnutrition of the disks
• Severe stress, hypothermia

Causes

The most common cause of radiculitis is osteochondrosis, which is a disease of the spine with damage to intervertebral discs of a degenerative-dystrophic nature, causing further destruction of vertebral tissue. Also, the development of radiculitis can be triggered by intervertebral hernias and back injuries.

The above pathologies cause compression or inflammation of the nerve root, which is part of the spinal nerve and through the vertebral foramina extends beyond the boundaries of the spinal column, as a result of which the patient experiences sharp and noticeable back pain.

The localization of pain depends on the area of ​​the back in which the nerve is inflamed. Taking this into account, radiculitis is divided into lumbar, cervical and thoracic. In some cases, the nerve roots are affected in several areas of the spine, but the lumbar type of the disease is most common.

In addition to sharp and pronounced back pain, the disease is accompanied by impaired sensitivity in the area of ​​inflammation and stiffness in movement.

Symptoms of thoracic radiculitis

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Painful sensations in the chest area and pronounced skin sensitivity are the main symptoms of thoracic radiculitis. Pain can be regular or in the form of attacks, intensified by coughing, sneezing, bending down or to the side. Other signs of the disease:

• Tingling sensation in the hands or numbness
• General weakness of the body, which may be accompanied by nausea, heartburn
• Chest pain can be similar to angina attacks
• Often there is a feeling of a foreign body in the throat, problems with swallowing

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Cervical radiculitis (radiculopathy)

Cervical radiculitis by its name indicates localization in the neck, namely in the cervical spine. Symptoms (pain, sensory disturbance or muscle weakness) can be on both the right and left, depending on the location of the root concerned. The causes of cervical radiculitis can be different: disc herniation, disc protrusion, disc degeneration, osteoarthritis, foraminal stenosis, etc. Symptoms can appear both in the area of ​​localization of the irritated root and radiate to the arms, shoulders, fingers. Between the 7 cervical vertebrae (C1-C7) there are 8 pairs of spinal cord roots that conduct electrical impulses from the central nervous system and spinal cord. The area of ​​innervation has a clear topic and depends on the specific root. The roots in the cervical spine are C1-C8. Each pair is responsible for a specific area:

• C1-C2 – head
• C3-C4 – diaphragm
• C5- upper torso
• C6 – wrist and biceps
• C7- triceps
• C8 – brush

Treatment methods for thoracic radiculitis

High-quality and effective treatment of thoracic radiculitis at the Paramita clinic is based on the use of effective oriental therapy procedures. An individual approach and guaranteed results - this is exactly what can be achieved thanks to such techniques as:

1. Acupressure – helps restore disc functionality
2. Acupuncture – relieves pain, restores the general condition of the body and strengthens tone
3. Hirudotherapy – treats radiculitis by improving blood circulation
4. Ju therapy – reduces inflammation, relieves swelling, promotes tissue restoration
5. A set of individual physical exercises – consolidates the results obtained and promotes accelerated recovery of the spinal column
6. PRP therapy is the newest way to stimulate cell regeneration. It is used to restore the functions of various organs after diseases and injuries, including to restore the function of the musculoskeletal system.

We combine proven techniques of the East and innovative methods of Western medicine
Read more about our unique method of treating radiculitis

Treatment of thoracic radiculitis at the Paramita clinic

The spine is both the “core” of the body and the most vulnerable element of its structure. Therefore, when it comes to treating thoracic radiculitis, the risk of error should be reduced to zero.

The methods of oriental medicine practiced by the clinic’s specialists are an excellent alternative to drug treatment and aggressive surgical methods. The effectiveness of these techniques has been confirmed over a long period of time. When you contact our clinic, you will be convinced of a friendly attitude and high quality of work.

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Risk group

Some people are more susceptible to damage to the thoracic spine. Among them:

• leading a sedentary lifestyle, whose professions require organizing working time in a sedentary position. These include programmers, people working in an office, etc.
• people who have reached old age (over 40 years old), because due to age they develop pathological changes in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
• patients with severe osteochondrosis.
• those with reduced immunity and susceptible to frequent colds and viral diseases.

There is also a tendency to this pathology if a person is engaged in heavy physical labor or related sports.

Diagnosis of thoracic radiculitis

Establishing a correct diagnosis involves an analysis of complaints and an initial examination of the patient:

• palpation: by applying pressure in the chest area, the doctor finds out the location of the disease;
• percussion: using tapping, the doctor excludes pulmonary diseases, whose symptoms are similar to those of radiculitis;
• Auscultation: Listening is a reliable way to exclude heart disease from the list of probable diagnoses.

Having carried out these actions, the professional doctor already has the opportunity to establish a preliminary diagnosis. To confirm it, the patient may be prescribed the following diagnostic measures:

• a general blood test to identify the inflammatory process in the body;
• radiography, through which the segment of the spinal column that causes pain is specified;
• MRI of the thoracic region, which detects pinched spinal roots and determines the degree of nerve compression.

The use of a set of diagnostic measures guarantees the correct diagnosis, and therefore the correct therapy.

Prevention

After completing therapy, you should not return to your previous lifestyle, since in most cases it is this that provokes thoracic radiculitis. To prevent the disease from recurring, the following recommendations must be followed:

• Proper nutrition: the presence of a sufficient amount of vitamins and microelements in the diet is necessary to prevent degenerative processes of the spine and vertebral discs;
• Comfortable conditions for the spine: special corsets (if recommended by a doctor), comfortable seats and a flat surface for sleeping - these simple measures do not allow the spine to strain;
• Timely treatment of diseases: chronic and infectious diseases that cause thoracic radiculitis should be stopped as they arise;
• Physical exercise: prevents the spinal muscles from atrophying, preserves the functioning of the spinal column and prevents degenerative processes.

Preventing the occurrence of thoracic radiculitis is much easier than diagnosing and treating it. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor your health and consult a doctor in a timely manner.

Proper nutrition for thoracic radiculitis

A nutritious diet is another important condition, remembering which you can prevent exacerbation of the disease or speed up recovery. Therefore, if you have radiculitis, you should adhere to the following nutritional rules:

• Consume more plant fiber: cereals, legumes, etc. At the same time, it is advisable to eat fruits and vegetables raw.
• Reduce consumption of fatty meat and lard to zero. Replace them with fish and liver (the latter should be eaten no more than 1-2 times a week).
• Avoid high-fat dairy products.
• Do not get carried away with baking; it is better to replace white bread with black rye or bran bread.
• Exclude salty, smoked and sweet foods, coffee, alcohol, carbonated drinks from the menu.

Forecast

The painful symptom of radiculitis can be successfully treated with physiotherapy and medications, but this is not enough. It is important to cure the disease that led to the development of radicular syndrome. This will guarantee that the attack will not happen again.

When the disease becomes chronic, it is important to maintain a period of rest for as long as possible, following the recommendations of the attending physician and adhering to preventive measures. The chronic form is characterized by less acute, rather aching pains that do not greatly limit movement and affect the performance of everyday tasks. In this case, the occurrence of “lumbago” is also possible if the inflammation of the pinched roots intensifies under the influence of pathological processes.

Therapeutic exercises for radiculitis

Only a professional can determine the cause of chest pain. Therefore, only he should recommend exercises to restore health. Otherwise, an “effective” complex can have completely different consequences.

However, dosed physical activity for thoracic radiculitis should have a beneficial effect on the patient’s well-being:

• In a standing position - circular movements of the shoulders and arms, bends to the sides and back and forth, swings of the arms, squats and rises on the toes with hands resting on the back of the chair.
• In a sitting position on a chair - flexion and extension of the arms at the elbows, alternately raising and lowering the arms, alternately abducting the arms to the sides, circular movements with the elbows, bending the back and bending forward.
• While lying on your stomach, alternately stretch your arms forward, briefly raise your arms and head and legs.
• In a position on all fours - alternately raise your arms, make circular movements of your head to the right and left.
• Lying on your back - stretching with raising and lowering your arms along the body.

Repeat each movement 10-15 times.

Treatment

Treatment methods are selected by the doctor depending on the extent to which the nerve tissue is affected, the level of pain and the severity of the nerve disorders.

Drug therapy

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Next fact

The first step is to ensure rest and limit stress . If the cause of the disease is an infection, then specific drugs are prescribed to eliminate it.

With the secondary nature of radiculitis, symptomatic treatment is carried out aimed at relieving pain. This is achieved using the following drugs:

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy has a good effect , after several procedures the patient feels a significant improvement. Prescribed:

• Electrophoresis . Using a current, the medicine is injected into the inflamed area.
• Electrical stimulation excites nerve endings and restores their structure.
• UHF (treatment using a high frequency magnetic field). Reduces swelling, relieves inflammation.
• Magnetotherapy . It affects the affected area with an alternating magnetic field and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
• Mud therapy . Healing mud is widely used for the treatment of radiculitis at the final stage. Mud has a resolving and anti-inflammatory effect.

Acupuncture and therapeutic massage help relieve pain and swelling. These procedures must be carried out by specialists in a medical facility. You cannot massage yourself.

Physiotherapy

The main goal pursued by exercise therapy for thoracic radiculitis is to relieve muscle tension . Exercises allow you to increase the mobility of the spine and increase ventilation of the lungs. All sets of exercises must be developed by a doctor and performed strictly in accordance with medical prescriptions. During exercise therapy, the patient's condition should not worsen. Treatment with exercise therapy can begin after the acute period has passed.

Video: “Exercises for thoracic radiculitis”

Surgery

Thoracic radiculitis itself does not require surgery . Surgical intervention is indicated in cases where the cause of radiculitis is a hernia of the spine. Surgery is prescribed if long-term conservative treatment does not bring relief. This method allows you to release the nerve roots from compression.

ethnoscience

Traditional medicine drugs are used in complex therapy.

Popular folk remedies:

• Burdock leaf . He is doused with boiling water and tied to the sore spot overnight. The course of treatment is 10 days.
• Honey compresses . Honey is applied to the affected area, covered with film and wrapped with a warm scarf. Such compresses are made for 10-12 days.
• Grated potato compress . Has a strong anti-edematous effect.
• Rubbing eucalyptus or fir oil at night also helps .
• Decoctions of medicinal herbs (coltsfoot, string, mint, yarrow) have an anti-inflammatory and calming effect.