Thoracic osteochondrosis is a serious disease involving degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs.This disease is often a consequence of a sedentary lifestyle, improper load distribution on the spine and metabolic disorders in the intervertebral discs.
The disease has a number of symptoms but is easily confused with manifestations of other pathological phenomena.Therefore, it is important to know how to recognize thoracic spine osteoarthritis.
Can your breasts hurt?
Chest pain is one of the common symptoms of thoracic osteoarthritis.Their appearance is related to the following factors:
- Dysfunction of organs in the chest area due to arthritis.
- Degenerative and atrophic process at the junction between the spine and ribs.
- Increased load on the spine.
- Inflammatory processes in muscles.
One of the signs of osteonecrosis is a shaking feeling in the chest, causing pain..Although from a physical point of view this area of the spine is considered the strongest, it can easily be affected by a pathological process.
Authority to resolve!Sharp pain in the chest is called "dorsago".It usually occurs when the patient suddenly changes body position after being in a stationary position for a long time.
Mechanism of occurrence of the syndrome
Under increased loads and other factors that cause osteoarthritis, the bone tissues of the spine are gradually deformed.The intervertebral disc gradually degenerates and pathological tumors appearcalled osteoporosis.
When the patient moves, these growths lead to compression of the blood vessels of the spinal cord.Further development of the degenerative process leads to impaired blood circulation, including in the chest.Communication with the nervous system is disrupted.
As cartilage degeneration progresses, pressure increases.Accordingly, the pain also becomes stronger.Its localization is determined by the area where the degenerative process occurs.
Signs of GOP pathology
The main symptoms of thoracic spondylosis (OS) are as follows:
- pain in the chest area, worse at night;
- pain between the shoulder blades, manifested during bending of the arms and trunk;
- pain when breathing;
- pain in the area below the ribs when moving.
Let's look at what other symptoms there are, whether the chest or stomach may hurt, where the pain goes, whether the arm is affected at all.
Additional symptoms are as follows:
- Chest pain.With osteoarthritis in the chest area, pain in the sternum is the main symptom.They can resemble a heart attack, making diagnosis difficult.Pain in the lower back, sides and abdominal cavity may also occur.
- Feeling of a lump in the chest.Also popular.The feeling of a lump in the chest is related to pinched nerve endings.When it happens, it is important not to panic, as this symptom is neurological in nature and the condition can get worse.
- Headache.Headache is more common with cervical osteoarthritis, but it can also occur with thoracic osteoarthritis.Its appearance is associated with circulatory disorders.
- Between shoulder blades.Sometimes the pain appears only in the interscapular area.Usually in this case it is related to breathing.
- Burn.There may also be a burning sensation in the chest.It is often accompanied by compression pain that radiates into the heart.Symptoms can resemble a heart attack, making patients fearful.
- My hand is about to go numb.Numbness of the limbs can also occur with osteoarthritis.It is related to circulatory problems.
- Apply to the abdominal area.If cartilage degeneration affects the chest area, pain can spread to the stomach area.There may also be functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, development or exacerbation of pathologies of internal organs.The cause of pain is often due to pinched nerves connecting the back to the digestive tract and pelvis.
The feeling of discomfort can easily be confused with pain due to diseases of the digestive system.
- Hernia pain.When there is osteoarthritis, pressure occurs on the cartilage layers located between the vertebrae and the cartilage becomes deformed.As a result, bone tissue grows and a hernia occurs.By protruding outward, it contributes to irritation of nerve endings, which can cause pain in various parts of the body.
- Swallowing pain.If the disease is localized in the upper region of the sternum, pain may appear in the throat or esophagus.There is a lump in the throat.There may also be problems with swallowing, especially when eating large foods or irritating the esophageal wall.
Diagnose
The following tests are used to diagnose cartilage degeneration::
- Examination by orthopedists and surgeons;
- chest X-ray;
- electrocardiogram;
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and chest;
- General urine and blood tests;
- gastroduodenoscopy (examination of the stomach and intestines with a probe).
These techniques make it possible to confirm that the symptoms that appear are a consequence of osteonecrosis and not another disease.
Sternum pain caused by sternal cartilage is often confused with what disease?
Sternum pain due to cartilage degeneration is often confused with a heart attack.They can also be confused with pain syndrome caused by disorders of the digestive system.To determine the exact cause, the doctor conducts differential diagnosis.
How is it different from heart disease?
The pain caused by cervical spondylosis is similar to the pain caused by heart disease.It is quite difficult for patients to distinguish between them, and an electrocardiogram is used for diagnosis.If we are talking about heart disorders, then the pain is easily relieved by glycerol trinitrate, while in osteoarthritis it does not relieve the symptoms.
With VSD, there is more sensation:
- tachycardia and bradycardia;
- have a feeling of fear;
- constant weakness and fatigue.
The pain is often dull and aching, whereas with osteoarthritis, it is compressive in nature.
How long do they last?
The pain may come in short bursts and last a few minutes.If we are talking about persistent pain syndrome, it may not go away for 2-3 weeks.Significant symptoms usually last up to 5 days.
Are there differences in symptoms between men and women?
The main symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis do not differ between men and women.
However,It is more difficult to diagnose the disease in women due to hormonal characteristics.In young patients, it can fluctuate continuously.During menopause, the synthesis of some hormones decreases, which can cause a number of pathologies that require differential diagnosis.
In men, the disease has a typical course so treatment can be quickly identified and started.
Treatment methods
Treatment for both the disease and chest pain should be chosen by your doctor.As a rule, complex therapy is required.
Medicine
Medicines are currently the main method for treating osteoarthritis.Here are some remedies that may be prescribed for chest lesions::
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help eliminate inflammation.
- Chondroprotectors aim to restore the structure of damaged cartilage.
- Muscle relaxants help relax and tone muscles.
- Preparations to normalize metabolism.
- Vitamin and mineral complex.
The medication may be prescribed as tablets or injections.In case of severe pain, blockade therapy can alleviate the patient's condition.
Intra-articular injection
In some cases, it is necessary to apply a cartilage protectant directly to the affected joint.
Medicine helps:
- restore the elasticity of the disc between the vertebrae;
- saturates affected tissues with essential nutrients;
- prevent their further destruction.
lockdown
Therapeutic blockade aims to reduce pain and inflammation quickly, as well as returning the patient to normal mobility.It can be joint and perpendicular.In the latter case, the drug is injected not into the joint, but into the tissues located near it.This method is gentler and no less effective, but the results appear more slowly.
gymnastics
Exercises help strengthen muscles, normalize the functioning of ligaments, muscles and joints, and reduce static stress on the spine.They should be chosen by a doctor.As a rule, gymnastics is prescribed only at the stage of remission.
Attention!During exercise, pain should not intensify.
What exercises should you do if you have a hernia?
Your doctor may prescribe special exercises for hernias.It can be performed exclusively when the pathological process subsides.An important condition is the absence of severe pain syndrome.
For this pathology, exercises with sticks are often recommended.Bending, turning and other simple movements can be done to exercise the chest area.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy to treat thoracic osteoarthritis may be indicated:
- vibration massage;
- UVT;
- acupuncture;
- Mud and light therapy.
These methods help reduce pain, speed up tissue repair, and reduce inflammation.
Massage
The main goal of therapeutic massage is to improve blood circulation, has the effect of supporting disease treatment.
Manual therapy
Manual treatment is carried out only after a comprehensive examination of the patient.It is contraindicated for acute pain.Its main task is to eliminate spinal deformation, restore blood circulation and improve motor activity.
Manual therapy is not used:
- have high blood pressure;
- after spinal injury;
- in the acute stage of chronic pathology;
- with vascular damage;
- infectious diseases.
It is also contraindicated when:
- cancer;
- damage to the central nervous system;
- increased intracranial pressure.
The therapeutic effect is to restore muscle function, improve blood circulation in vertebral tissues and normalize metabolism.
hood
This method involves stretching muscles and ligaments, helps widen the space between vertebrae, eliminating pinched nerves.Thanks to that, pain syndrome is significantly reduced.
Folk remedies
Folk remedies cannot replace traditional medicine but can supplement treatment.The most popular recipes include:
- Compressor made from raw potatoes.You need to peel the potatoes, mix them with honey in equal proportions, mix well.The composition is applied to the affected area, fixed like a compress and left for two hours.After that, you need to wash off the paste with warm water.
- This formula can be used both externally and internally.You need to take 50 grams of high-quality vodka, 150 grams of liquid honey, one small radish and 4 teaspoons of salt.Mash the potatoes and mix with the remaining ingredients.
The poison can be applied to the affected area in the form of a rub.You can also use the product in tincture form.It is consumed twice a day, morning and evening, for a week.
- You can also relieve pain from thoracic osteoarthritis by rubbing 250 grams of sunflower oil and chopped fresh oregano leaves.
How to alleviate an attack?
Medication is often used to prevent an attack.In some cases, a drug blockade may be necessary.
Medication may be prescribed:
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- chondroprotector;
- muscle relaxants;
- nootropics;
- diuretics;
- Vitamin B.
To normalize local blood circulation, light massage can be performed.
prevent
It is easier to prevent any disease than to treat it.To reduce the likelihood of occurrence or worsening of osteoarthritis,it is important to monitor your lifestyle.
- During sedentary work, you need to periodically take breaks and devote them to physical activity.
- It is important to give up bad habits, control posture, get enough sleep and avoid stress.
How to eat properly when sick?
Proper nutrition helps speed up recovery and prevent illness.The diet is based on:
- fish;
- meat;
- dairy products;
- legumes
It is also important that your diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables.Food should not be fried - it is better to boil, bake or steam.
It is important to limit consumption:
- salt;
- spice;
- spice.
Also need to be careful with:
- smoked meat;
- pickled dishes;
- sweets.
If you are overweight, it is important to follow a diet aimed at losing weight.You need to drink lots of water.But you should not overuse coffee - it tends to wash calcium out of the body, which is harmful to osteoarthritis.It is also recommended to avoid alcoholic beverages.
Recommendations from experts
In addition, experts give the following recommendations:
- To avoid aggravation, try to be careful when exercising.It is important to avoid severe stress, fatigue and hypothermia.
- You need to pay attention to any additional symptoms.This will help diagnose the disease promptly.These include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and breathing problems.
- You should not prescribe drugs yourself - the doctor should choose them, taking into account the severity of the pathological process and existing symptoms.
- If acute pain occurs, an ambulance should be called or a neurologist should be consulted.
Topical analgesics and analgesics may be used to relieve pain.
- In severe cases, bed rest is required.Activity should be minimal.
- If the pain is caused by a hernia, a special corset will need to be worn.In some cases, surgery is not possible.It is performed after a detailed diagnosis and exclusion of other pathologies.
- It is important to have the correct posture when sleeping.You should sleep on your back, using a thick and firm mattress.When the vertebrae return to their normal physiological position, the discomfort will disappear.
Thoracic osteoarthritis is not only an unpleasant but also dangerous disease.It requires timely and comprehensive treatment.The doctor decides which treatment method to use.The patient must comply with all recommendations received from him and lead a suitable lifestyle.