How to identify and treat sternal osteochondrosis?

Chest chondropathy is rare, but it can cause many complications. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, it is important to make a thorough diagnosis. Treatment should be timely and comprehensive. Preventive measures will help prevent the development of this disease.

Thoracic osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of cartilage structure. Without timely and effective treatment, osteochondrosis can cause various complications, so it should not be ignored. Preventive measures will help avoid this disease.

General characteristics of the disease

Osteochondrosis is a fairly common disease in the musculoskeletal system, but it rarely affects the thoracic area compared to other parts of the spine. This is due to the fact that this part of the spine is the least active and therefore less stressful.

This feature is also a risk of the disease-its symptoms are less obvious, so patients with advanced osteochondrosis should see a doctor.

The disease is characterized by a process of degradation and malnutrition. They cause pathological changes affecting bone and cartilage tissue. If left untreated, pathology can change the structure of ligaments, intervertebral discs, and joints, leading to their destruction.

With the development of osteochondrosis, it first affects the bone structure, and then the pathological process extends to cartilage structure, muscle, and connective tissue. At a young age, this pathological change can cause the body to age prematurely.

Classification

Pathology is characterized by gradual development, so there are four stages (degrees), and each stage has certain clinical manifestations and complications:

Usually the first stage involves rupture of the intervertebral disc, which can cause excessive pressure or sudden movement.
1. In the second stage, a herniated disc was observed. In this case, the disc protrudes into the intervertebral canal-the protrusion is usually no more than half a centimeter. ​​At this stage, the spine is unstable.
2. The third stage of osteochondrosis is characterized by an increase in the intensity of the clinical manifestations and is often accompanied by intervertebral hernia.
3. The fourth stage of the disease is called the most severe and dangerous stage. At this stage, osteophytes appear. Their proliferation creates pressure on the spinal cord and nerve endings.

Reason

Osteochondrosis can develop at any age. The risk of its occurrence has nothing to do with gender.

This disease usually develops under the background of the following factors:

• Age-people over 40 are at risk;
• Various pathologies of the spine, including curvature of the spine;
• Genetic susceptibility;
• Intervertebral disc injury caused by trauma;
• Chronic stress;
• Hypothermia;
• Hormonal imbalance, material metabolism;
• Impaired blood circulation in the thoracic region;
• The function of professional activities increases the burden on the chest area.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis

This disease can have many symptoms, sometimes atypical. In most cases, pathological manifestations are the following signs:

• Pain. This symptom is the main symptom. When the body is in a position for a long time, physical exertion, and weightlifting, pain usually occurs. As the pathology progresses, pain can also be observed at rest, and any movement will exacerbate the pain. She may be bored or in pain.
• Press in the middle of the back. In this case, human breathing is more difficult. You feel pain when you take a deep breath or exhale.
• Part of the body becomes numb.
• There may be chills and umps.
• The local temperature of the legs is decreasing.
• Lower limbs may feel itching and burning.
• If pathology affects the cardiovascular system and causes it to malfunction, it may be accompanied by skin peeling, thinning of the nail plate and increased nail brittleness.
• With the development of osteochondrosis, the function of gastrointestinal organs is destroyed, which may cause a series of symptoms: nausea, heartburn, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain.

Pain is one of the main symptoms of sternal osteochondrosis, but it can manifest itself in completely different ways. In some cases, back pain is observed-a sensation of pain in the lesion and lasts for a long time. In other cases, back pain occurs-the pain manifests itself strongly and sharply, onset at the onset, restrains the muscles and interferes with breathing.

The clinical status of osteochondrosis largely depends on its stage:

1. In the first stage of the disease, ruptured discs are usually observed. This phenomenon is manifested by severe pain and muscle tension. This feeling is reminiscent of the action of electric current, which seems to be transmitted along the spine.
2. In the second stage, protrusion can be observed, accompanied by chest pain, which may also affect internal organs.
3. In the third stage of pathology, pain occurs more frequently. The patient becomes more difficult to breathe and has a headache. The disease can slightly disrupt the work of the heart.
4. In the fourth stage, intercostal neuralgia may develop due to nerve root compression. In this case, severe pain in the chest will occur. At first, it affects only one area, and then spreads to the entire chest. This makes breathing difficult. Sometimes the patient cannot change the position of the body, and the pain during various exercises has increased many times, which is unbearable. Due to severe pain, the pupils may dilate.

Symptoms of chondrosis in the chest area usually increase at night, which is related to the body being in a horizontal position for a long time. After awakening, the symptoms become less intense or disappear completely, but sudden movements or hypothermia can make the symptoms worse.

Atypical manifestations of sternal osteochondrosis include the following symptoms:

• Painful sensation in the heart area. This manifestation is suspected to be a heart attack or angina. Sometimes this symptom lasts for several weeks.
• Abdominal pain is concentrated, causing severe gastrointestinal discomfort. With physical exercise, this symptom increases.
• Severe cramping pain in the upper abdomen. This symptom is characteristic of gastritis, pancreatitis, and cholecystitis.
• In women, the worsening of the disease can arouse pain in the breast. In this case, a malignant tumor is suspected.
• Violation of the genitourinary organs.
• If the pathological changes are concentrated in the upper part of the thoracic cavity, the pain will affect the esophagus or pharynx. In this case, the patient complained of a foreign body in the throat.

Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. Sternal osteochondrosis is accompanied by many other pathological symptoms. Qualified experts will be able to understand all the nuances of the clinical situation.

Diagnosis

The doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis during the initial examination of the patient. Usually, neurologists will deal with osteochondrosis. The doctor examines the spine of various body parts.

In order to confirm the diagnosis and determine the pathological features, they resorted to instrumental diagnosis. The basic research is X-ray.

In addition, the following measures can also be applied:

• computer tomography;
• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• Scintigraphy;
• Record;
• Electromyography.

They also turned to laboratory diagnosis. It can include routine and biochemical blood and urine tests. The purpose of such research is to differential diagnosis, determine pathological features, and related complications.

Diagnosis is not only a necessary diagnostic method, but also must be distinguished from other diseases. In terms of its atypical course, the clinical manifestations may be similar to other pathologies that are not even related to the thoracic region.

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

This disease requires complex treatment. It not only involves the use of drugs, but also various physiotherapy methods, physiotherapy exercises, and massage.

During the worsening of the disease, bed rest is required. Liquidity should be restricted as much as possible. Usually, the pain syndrome is so strong that the patient calls an ambulance. Treatment in this case is carried out in the hospital.

Limit exercise during treatment. When bed rest is no longer needed, you can take a walk, but long walks are prohibited. Walking should alternate with rest. You should not sit in one position for long periods of time.

When the disease progresses, they resort to traction. This technique involves stretching the spine. This allows you to increase the distance between the vertebrae, reduce the size of the intervertebral hernia, and activate the nutrition of the intervertebral disc.

Medications

Various drugs used to treat chest osteochondrosis can relieve pain, muscle tension and improve blood supply. For this, the following medicines can be prescribed:

• The basis of drug treatment is usually non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can reduce pain and eliminate inflammation. These drugs are prescribed in the form of ointments and gels (for external use), tablets and capsules (for oral liquid), and injections. Treatment may involve the simultaneous use of several forms of the same group of drugs. The course of treatment usually lasts 1-2 weeks.
• For severe pain, use glucocorticoids. Usually, drugs are used for intramuscular injection or through physical therapy.
• Analgesics are also used to treat severe pain.
• If there is unbearable pain, they will resort to drug obstruction. Strictly follow the instructions of the hospital to lock down.
• Topical stimulants can help reduce pain. They can be based on natural ingredients-pepper extract, bee or snake venom.
• In order to restore blood circulation in the affected area, it is recommended to inject niacin into the muscle.
• Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle tension.
• After the disease has stopped worsening, drugs are usually prescribed to activate the metabolic process and restore the cartilage structure. Chondrprotectants can provide this effect. These drugs require a long course of treatment for several months.

Under certain circumstances, only doctors can prescribe. It is necessary to determine the time and schedule of each drug, and consider the compatibility of various drugs.

Physiotherapy and massage

For sternal osteochondrosis, physical therapy can help you get rid of pain and restore mobility. The doctor may prescribe the following treatments:

• Electrophoresis or telephone therapy, including anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics;
• Magnetic therapy;
• darsonvalization;
• Paraffin wax application;
• Urogenital therapy;
• balneotherapy;
• Ultrasound;
• Mud therapy;
• UHF treatment.

Special attention should be paid to massaging chest osteochondrosis. In the treatment of this pathology, the following techniques can be involved:

• Classic.In this case, massage includes light strokes, kneading, pinching and rubbing. Such treatment should be a course of treatment. A course can contain up to 15 sessions, and each session lasts no more than 20 minutes.
• point.It may affect pain or acupuncture points. Make a circle with your fingertips and gradually increase the pressure to exercise.
• Canned food.Using the jar can create a vacuum, thereby increasing blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. Cupping massage can enhance muscle tension, eliminate pathological reflexes, and accelerate the microcirculation of various fluids in the body.
• Segmented.The purpose of this massage is to improve the blood supply to the affected area, stimulate lymphatic drainage and oxygenate tissues.

Remedial gymnastics

Physical therapy exercises can provide excellent results in the case of chest osteochondrosis. It should be done under the supervision of an expert, but some exercises can be done at home:

• Warm up before remedial gymnastics. For this, you can take a bath and do some warm-ups. It includes waving hands, spinning, turning the body.
• Lie on the floor, belly. Put your hands behind your head and open your elbows at the same time. Slowly raise your shoulders and body. First pull up the right elbow, then the left elbow. Do it 5 times.
• At the same starting position, put your hand behind your back and then snap it into the lock. Bend in the torso and raise your arms without opening them. In extreme cases, you need to hover for a few seconds and then return to its original position smoothly.
• Stand on the floor and put your hands on your shoulders. Raise your shoulders alternately and move your head in the same direction.
• Lie on a hard surface and place it on your stomach. Stretch your arms forward as you lift your body. Repeat a few times, and then perform the same body raising movement, but the arms will stretch along the body.
• Sit in a chair with his hands on his belt. Move the shoulder strap and steadily raise and lower it to its original position. In extreme cases, you need to hover for a few seconds. Do it 5 times.
• This exercise should be performed with a gymnastic rod. You must sit down and raise your arms when you inhale, holding one of the sticks. When exhaling, return to the starting position and tilt your body forward.
• Go to the floor and place your hands on your shoulders with a gymnastic rod. Then tilt your body to the left and right. Scoliosis prohibits this exercise.
• Sit in a chair with a backrest, lean on the chair, and then bend back.

All exercises should be done smoothly and slowly. Sudden movements are excluded. If exercise is painful, you should stop exercising and take a break. If the pain persists, you should end the exercise and consult a doctor.

Prognosis, complications

After timely detection and effective treatment of sternal osteochondrosis, the prognosis is good. If the disease is ignored, life expectancy will be reduced by about 7%.

The progression of osteochondrosis may lead to the development of other diseases:

• Herniation when a herniated disc enters the intervertebral canal;
• Intervertebral hernia-unlike herniation, it involves rupture of the annulus fibrosus;
Spinal canal, vertebral artery stenosis.
• Nerve radiculopathy-a variety of symptoms when the root of the spinal cord is damaged;
• Kyphosis-commonly known as kyphosis, refers to the relationship between the curvature of the spine and the direction of protrusion (sagittal plane);
• Pulmonary arteriosclerosis;
• Shingles;
• Malignant tumor;
• Sexual dysfunction.

Prevention

Any disease is easier to prevent than to prevent and cure the pathological changes that have occurred.

Following the following precautions will help avoid breast osteochondrosis:

• Maintain a normal weight.
• Moderate physical exercise. It is necessary to exercise regularly or at least once a day. It is imperative to include elements that strengthen the back muscles in the exercise.
• Avoid injury and overload.
• Maintain the correct posture and correct it if necessary.
• Avoid emotional burdens and stress.
• Proper nutrition.
• Eliminate bad habits.
• Arrange the sleeping place correctly. It is very important to choose the firmness of the mattress correctly to adapt it to your personal characteristics.
• Organize the workplace properly. If you are sedentary at work, you should take care of a high-back chair. It is necessary to take a break and warm up during this period.
• Perform a physical examination in time.
• Comprehensive and timely treatment of any pathology.

Thoracic osteochondrosis can cause various complications and negatively affect the quality of life. At the first signs of pathology, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will diagnose and prescribe effective treatments. All regulations must be strictly followed.