Osteochondrosis affecting the thoracic spine is usually disguised as a pathology of internal organs. It manifests as heart pain, shortness of breath, lack of air when inhaled, and panic attacks. Therefore, the diagnosis of sternal osteochondrosis is somewhat difficult. After detection, medication, physical therapy, and exercise therapy will be used for conservative treatment. Moreover, if severe damage is caused to the thoracic disc and vertebrae, surgical intervention is required.
A brief description of the disease
Sternal osteochondrosis is a degenerative dystrophic disease of the spine. In the initial stage of its development, the intervertebral disc is slowly destroyed. They become thinner, brittle, and radial cracks appear on their surface. In order to stabilize the thoracic segment affected by osteochondrosis, the bone tissue of the vertebrae grows with the formation of an acute growth-osteophyte. This becomes a serious limitation of mobility, compression of blood vessels and vertebral roots.
Pathological degree
The degree of osteochondrosis is a set of symptoms characteristic of certain radiographic stages. The greater the deformation of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae, the more obvious the clinical manifestations. The severity of the pathology always determines the treatment strategy, and it must be taken into consideration when choosing drugs and how to use them.
My degree
X-ray images usually do not show any changes. However, due to the inability to retain water, the intervertebral disc has begun to collapse, which is necessary to restore its tissue. Sometimes a slight discomfort in the back disappears quickly after a short rest. Grade 1 osteochondrosis is usually found accidentally during the diagnosis of other diseases.
Degree II
The fiber ring becomes loose and fibrous. One of the cracks on the surface of the intervertebral disc increases, where the nucleus pulposus extends. On radiographs, the distance between adjacent vertebrae is significantly reduced due to the reduction in the height of the intervertebral disc. Due to continuous compensatory muscle tone, mobility in the thoracic region is restricted and moderate pain occurs.
III degree
The integrity of the annulus fibrosus is violated, so the nucleus pulposus is squeezed out. Formation of hernia protrusions-the main cause of severe symptoms and complications of severe sternal osteochondrosis. The vertebral body deforms, forming a single osteophyte. The pain in the chest area becomes constant, and the range of motion in the spine is significantly reduced.
IV degree
Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis
Sternal osteochondrosis in people over the age of 40-45 develops due to the body's natural aging: the speed of the recovery response slows down, and the production of collagen decreases, which leads to the elasticity and strength of the ligaments. At a young age, it occurs due to increased spine pressure or pathological background that already exists in the body:
- Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, ankylosing spondylitis;
- Endocrine and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, gout, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism;
- Congenital and acquired abnormalities, including kyphosis, scoliosis.
Previous spinal injuries, a sedentary lifestyle, and lack of vitamins and trace elements in the body can cause premature destruction of the intervertebral disc.
The characteristic symptoms and signs of the disease
The sternal osteochondrosis gradually progressed and did not show up at first. It is in this process that its danger exists. After working, doing housework or a hard day in the garden, the back muscles became flat and weak due to mild pain and discomfort, so no medical help was sought. Therefore, the patient is usually diagnosed as a pathology with a severity of 2-3 degrees, which is difficult to treat conservatively.
From the beginning
During the worsening of the disease, the pathology may manifest as pain between the shoulder blades. This pain occurs when bending and turning the body. The range of motion is reduced, and there are many specific signs of relapse.
Chest pain
In osteochondrosis, chest pain first appears. They are not clearly positioned and can be placed on the hand, collarbone, and ribs. Heart pain is severe or moderate, similar to angina pectoris, and cannot be eliminated by taking nitroglycerin. Sometimes they are similar to cholecystitis, a sensation that occurs when pancreatitis gets worse. However, unlike pancreatic or gallbladder lesions, pain is not accompanied by increased gas formation, heartburn, and abdominal distension.
Chest contraction
Pain between the shoulder blades is sometimes accompanied by a feeling of insufficient air when inhaled. People may be frightened and do not understand the reasons for this state. The doctor advised not to panic, but to sit down and measure the pulse. If the value obtained does not exceed 100 beats per minute, the possibility of rupture of the lung or heart is extremely low.
Other symptoms
Sensitive diseases gradually aggravate the symptoms of osteochondrosis. There is numbness, tingling, and creeping sensations. Sometimes a panic attack-like situation occurs. They are characterized by fear, rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating and cold sweats. If these symptoms are accompanied by chest pain, you need to take nitroglycerin and see a doctor. A similar set of symptoms may indicate a myocardial infarction.
The spinal nerve roots located in the sternum area innervate the internal organs. When they are stimulated and compressed, the work of the gastrointestinal tract and liver becomes uncomfortable. Peristalsis, upper abdominal pain, heartburn, and occur.
Entering the subacute stage
After the condition worsened, the subacute stage of sternal osteochondrosis began. Soreness and breathing problems persist, but are not as serious. One no longer looks for a comfortable body position without pain for a long time. The duration of the subacute phase is up to two weeks. If all medical advice is followed, relief will occur, which is characterized by no obvious symptoms. Violation of the plan will lead to a new increase in osteochondrosis.
Mitigation
During the remission phase, changes in weather or hypothermia may cause mild discomfort. Acute pain only occurs in osteochondrosis with a severity of 2-4 degrees, due to rapid body rotation or tilt. Intensification of chronic diseases, stress, increased physical activity, and staying in one place for a long time may cause another relapse.
Principles of Disease Diagnosis
The neurologist recalls the data to make a preliminary diagnosis based on the main complaint of the patient. During an external examination, he found points in the chest area and was under painful pressure. Performing a functional test allows you to assess the safety of reflections to identify sensitive obstacles. Among the instrumental methods, radiography can provide the most information. However, for detailed studies of spinal cord segments, CT and MRI can be performed. In order to exclude cardiovascular diseases, ECGs were assigned to patients.
Intensify first aid
The pain during the recurrence of sternal osteochondrosis is acute and penetrating, so first aid is needed for the patient. It should be soothed, placed on a hard surface and covered with a warm blanket. If the recurrence is accompanied by increased heart rhythm, shortness of breath, and increased anxiety, then you need to see a doctor. You can take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain between the shoulders and bones.
How to treat chest cartilage
Only a comprehensive treatment can eliminate all symptoms of osteochondrosis, slow down or completely prevent its spread to healthy discs and vertebrae. For pathologies with severity of 1-2 degrees, conservative treatments can be used. For osteochondrosis of 3-4 degrees, the characteristic is the formation of a large hernia. Surgery may be required to relieve pressure on blood vessels and spinal roots.
Preparation
In the treatment of sternal osteochondrosis, drugs from various clinical and pharmacological groups are used. In the initial stage, parenteral drugs are usually used, which quickly provide therapeutic effects. A few days later, the injection solution was replaced by safer tablets, ointments and plasters.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAID has obvious analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effects. Intramuscular injection of the solution can stop acute pain. In order to eliminate the slight discomfort between the shoulder blades, a topical smear is used. And because of moderate pain, NSAIDs used for oral administration work well.
Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle cramps after severe pain. In most cases, the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis starts with intramuscular administration. In addition to the muscle relaxant tolperisone, this medicine also includes anesthetics.
Cartilage protector
If a pathology of severity 1 occurs, the use of chondroprotective agents can help restore damaged discs. In other cases, prescriptions can be prescribed to improve the metabolism of the diseased spine to prevent disease progression.
Vitamin B preparations
Their use helps increase blood flow, improve peripheral nervous system function, and restore nutrition and innervation. The complex of B vitamins has beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases and the motor system.
Physiotherapy practice
If 1 degree sternal osteochondrosis occurs, daily exercise therapy can save you from the use of drugs. Recovery is achieved by strengthening muscles and improving blood supply of nutrients to tissues. In other cases, exercise and regular training can help prevent healthy spinal segments from participating in the destruction process and extend the remission period.
The complex of standing posture
When standing up, the following treatment exercises are most effective for treatment:
- Place your palms on your shoulders and bend forward while raising your bent legs, as if trying to reach the opposite knee with your elbow;
- Raise your left hand and tilt it to the right. Exercise in the opposite direction;
- Spread your legs shoulder-width apart and raise your arms. Lean forward and touch the other foot with the palm of your hand.
The number of repetitions in 2-3 groups is 10-12 times.
Prone
To complete these exercises, you will need a gym mat or a thick double blanket:
- Lie on your stomach while raising your arms and legs;
- Lie on your back, lift your upper body, and stretch your palms to your feet;
- Lie on your back, bend one leg, wrap it around the other leg, and try to touch the floor with your knees.
Each exercise should be done 7-10 times.
sitting down
When doing this type of exercise, avoid strenuous, strenuous exercise, including twisting:
- Sitting on the floor, stretching forward, trying to touch the other foot with the palm of your hand;
- Sit on a chair or stool, stretch your arms forward, and slowly turn from side to side;
- When sitting on the floor, wrap your arms around your knees and pull them as close to your chest as possible.
In the first class, the exercise should be repeated 5-7 times after about a month, 15-20 times each time.
Physical Therapy
Application of magnetic therapy, laser therapy, UHF therapy, sine wave current, shock wave therapy, paraffin wax and ozokerite are used to treat sternal osteochondrosis. If the condition worsens, electrophoresis is performed, ultrasound with corticosteroids, anesthetics, B vitamins, and chondroprotective agents.
Massage
The massage performed by the expert helps to eliminate the soreness between the shoulder blades and relax the spasmodic skeletal muscles.
For osteochondrosis, all types of massage are effective treatments-classic therapy, vacuum therapy, acupuncture therapy, connective tissue therapy. At home, you can use wooden or electric long-handled massagers to easily perform self-massage.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a method of treating pathologies by inserting needles into biologically active points of the body. They are thin and short, so occasionally only mild discomfort occurs when piercing the skin. However, even this effect is sufficient to produce substances with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in the body.
Nutrition
Nutritionists recommend that patients with sternal osteochondrosis give up fatty meat, thick soup, smoked meat, homemade and factory marinades. It is necessary to limit the salt content in the diet, otherwise it will cause edema. Every day you need to drink about 2. 5 liters of liquid-water, vegetable juice, berry drinks, fruit preserves.
Folk remedies
Neurologists allow the use of medicinal plants, ointments, alcohol and oil rubs for fluids and infusions after the main treatment. Folk remedies are used to eliminate mild pain between the shoulder blades, which sometimes occurs after fatigue.
Celery root
Cut the large celery root, chop it, and juice it. Add 100 grams of chopped fresh celery. Up to 3 times a day, 3 tablespoons each time (with meals), to clean the vertebral structure of harmful salt deposits.
Sunflower root
Pour one teaspoon of dried crushed sunflower roots into a cup of hot water. Bring to a boil, simmer for 20 minutes on low heat, cool under the lid, and drain the water. Drink 3-4 times a day.
Household ointment
In a mortar, grind a tablespoon of turpentine and thick honey, and add 2 drops of juniper, rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils. Inject 100 grams of medicinal petroleum jelly in a small amount. Stir, transfer to a jar, store in the refrigerator, and wipe on the back to relieve pain.
During pregnancy
Many systemic analgesics are forbidden during pregnancy, so neurologists prefer topical medications-ointments, gels, patches. If you have to take medicines, their dosage will be greatly reduced. During childbirth, the main treatments for chest osteochondrosis are massage and exercise therapy.
Possible consequences
Without medical intervention, sternal osteochondrosis can cause pulmonary arteriosclerosis, arrhythmia, vegetative vascular dystonia, gastrointestinal deterioration, and impaired sexual and reproductive functions of men and women.
Prevention and prognosis
Through timely detection of the disease, competent and comprehensive treatment, the prognosis is good. If complications of sternal osteochondrosis occur, stable relief can only be achieved if all medical recommendations are followed.
To prevent pathology, neurologists recommend that the factors that cause the disease should be excluded from the normal lifestyle. This is overweight, low physical activity, lack of vitamins and minerals, and excessive stress on the spine.