Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest

23 May 2021

Chest osteochondrosis is much less common than similar pathology affecting adjacent segments. This is due to the strengthening effect of the chest - a strong and flexible frame of ribs well supports the intervertebral joints. Even if osteochondrosis develops in this segment, it rarely reaches the late stages. The ribs partially relieve the load on the cartilaginous discs, preventing them from collapsing under intense and prolonged stress.

Men often develop osteochondrosis of the chest - they naturally have to do more difficult and harmful work. But if the woman is in such working conditions, then the risk of osteochondrosis increases dramatically. Women's ligaments and muscles are naturally more flexible and stretchy, which protects the weaker sex from degenerative breast damage.

In men, on the contrary, already in adulthood there is an "ossification" of all mobile joints - in the first place, such changes are observed in the intercostal joints. Therefore, the clinical picture develops gradually, as it is associated with slow damage to the joints between the ribs and vertebrae. The sooner a person identifies the first symptoms of osteochondrosis in the breast, the more effective and shorter the subsequent treatment will be.

Symptoms

Osteochondrosis in the chest rarely occurs even without small manifestations, but in the early stages patients usually simply do not notice the signs of the disease. Any discomfort is due to banal fatigue caused by prolonged work or uncomfortable posture. But the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest have an insidious property - to develop abruptly.

That is, the progression of the manifestations does not happen gradually, but suddenly - under the influence of some external factors. Their development is subject to a certain mechanism that occurs in the joints between the vertebrae and ribs:

Over the course of a person's life, the mobility of the chest decreases - this is due to the thickening of the connective tissue that connects adjacent bones.
From a long and heavy load, metabolic products accumulate in it, which leads to damage to the "soft" structures - ligaments and cartilage.
In the intercostal joints, they begin to be replaced by bone tissue, which forms small growths at the site of the defects.
First, these thorns begin to irritate the nerve roots that exit the adjacent spinal cord. The impact on them results in reflex contraction of the surrounding muscles - spasm.
It worsens impaired mobility, making the chest less flexible and elastic. As a result of these changes, the nutrition of the surrounding tissues changes as their blood supply deteriorates.
Gradually a vicious circle is formed - impaired blood flow deprives soft tissues of the ability to recover quickly. If the load continues to act, then osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine gradually develops.

The rate of disease progression depends on the severity of the damaging factors and the body's capabilities - in most patients it remains in the early stages until old age.

First degree

In the early stages, it is difficult to detect thoracic osteochondrosis - the symptoms of the disease are still very non-specific. Most patients miss the first stage of the disease by going to the doctor only when severe symptoms develop. But with careful attention to your health, the signs of pathology can be easily identified:

As the soft tissues thicken in the area of the joints between the ribs and the vertebrae, their flexibility and elasticity decreases. Therefore, when you stretch or exercise, there is pain and crunch in the chest area that occurs between the shoulder blades.
A similar sound can be heard in the clavicle or sternum, where cartilage and connective tissue are also thickened.
Along with them, the flexibility of the shoulder girdle is impaired, which is manifested by difficulty in placing the hands behind the back. It becomes difficult for the patient to perform certain movements - to scratch the back, to bring the shoulder blades together.
There is a feeling of discomfort in every part of the chest, but more often in the interscapular area. It is on it that most of the nerve roots that exit the spinal cord in this area are projected.
The resistance to prolonged physical work and maintaining the posture decreases - a feeling of fatigue in the back quickly arises.
There is a decrease in the depth of breathing - when trying to take a deep breath, its restriction is observed.

At this stage, the disease can be safely treated at home, as irreversible changes in the soft tissues in the joint area have not yet formed.

Second degree

As the influence of negative factors continues, the signs of thoracic osteochondrosis begin to intensify - at this stage, patients usually seek help. The disease begins to significantly limit a person's activity - the symptoms interfere not only during work but also during rest. Their appearance is associated with the formation of permanent changes leading to ossification of the costo-spinal joints:

The pain that results from pressure on the nerve roots is already coming to the fore among the symptoms. It has some characteristics - burning or shooting character, connection with physical activity or prolonged awkward posture.
Unpleasant sensations are usually determined between the shoulder blades, from where they spread along the ribs. The pain impulse is always one-sided.
The intensity of this symptom completely depends on the movements of the trunk or breathing - even with calm breathing there is an increase in pain.
The disease differs from ordinary intercostal neuralgia in the persistence of symptoms - in the first case, the pain syndrome passes on its own and quickly (within a few minutes). Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by the duration of pain - they are continuous, decreasing only at rest.
Chest discomfort and stiffness increase, leading to a decrease in exercise tolerance. It becomes more difficult for the patient to perform work associated with prolonged stress.

At home, it is almost impossible to eliminate the symptoms at this stage - they try to use a long course of drugs combined with physiotherapy procedures for treatment.

Third degree

pain between the shoulder blades with thoracic osteochondrosis

In the last stage of the disease there is a strong deformation of the joints between the ribs and the vertebrae. This puts pressure on the surrounding vessels and nerves, which are directed to the internal organs. Therefore, the symptoms of the disease acquire unusual features characteristic of another pathology:

The pain syndrome continues, acquiring an intense and continuous character. Lumbago between the shoulder blades and along the ribs bothers the patient even at rest, which is associated with constant pressure on the nerve roots.
In the abdomen and chest there are areas with impaired sensitivity - they look like stripes in the direction of the ribs. They are characterized by tingling, a tingling sensation or "creeping".
There are periodic reflex cramps in the abdominal muscles, accompanied by unpleasant sensations.
As the nerves of the internal organs are involved in the process, symptoms of their defeat may appear. False attacks of angina pectoris, hepatic or renal colic, which simulate diseases of such organs, are more common.
Chest osteochondrosis often leads to the formation of irritable bowel syndrome - disorders of the digestive tract, the causes of which were not identified during the study.

Even long-term treatment will not allow you to finally get rid of the symptoms if the patient has adhered to the disease to such an extent. Maintenance therapy will only reduce the signs of the disease, which is firmly attached to the thoracic spine.

Treatment

How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis? The tactics of help are based on the duration of the disease - the more severe the symptoms, the more stages will include treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. Despite the frequent difficulties in prescribing medication, many patients want to undergo all medical procedures at home. The patient does not want to waste the extra time required of him to visit a hospital or clinic.

In addition, sick leave is rarely granted for this illness, which forces people to leave their activities quickly. After feeling some improvement, the recent patient returns to his normal activities. But incomplete treatment of osteochondrosis of the breast leads to a rapid return of previous symptoms. Therefore, too "busy" patients can perform some procedures at home - the most important thing is that they do not give up.

At home

You can do without going to the hospital only in the early stages of the disease, when all the changes in the spine are reversible. With the help of some measures it is possible to eliminate the muscle spasm that is the cause of the manifestations:

It is necessary to change the place of rest - the bed on which during sleep the soft tissues of the spine are restored. To do this, you need to make it firmer, buy an orthopedic mattress to exclude the wrong position of the back.
For each activity you should use a support for the spine - a soft corset that captures the lumbar and thoracic region. It should be worn regularly at work, taking off only when you are resting or sleeping.
It is recommended to use warming ointments to eliminate the symptoms. They are applied between the shoulder blades before the upcoming load in order to artificially warm the muscles.
You need to get into the good habit of exercising at home after waking up. In addition, it is not necessary to perform it only in the morning - for each discomfort in the back you need to find a few minutes to warm up.
You need to change your diet, increase the amount of vegetables and fruits in your diet - the vitamins they contain slow down the destruction of connective tissue.

Patients who have enough free time are advised to engage in physical activity - walking or swimming.

Conservative

With the development of pronounced signs, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine begins with the help of drugs. They allow you to eliminate pain and other manifestations that interfere with normal activity:

In the first place, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which have an analgesic effect. They inhibit the processes of soft tissue destruction, which inevitably leads to the formation of bone growths.
Muscle relaxants are also used - drugs that eliminate painful muscle contractions. Using them allows the breasts to return to their previous flexibility and mobility.
In addition, vitamin complexes are prescribed, which are aimed at protecting the nervous tissue. They allow you to quickly restore the roots of the spinal cord that have been subjected to pressure.
Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used in the form of creams that are applied between the shoulder blades. But they are usually combined only with drugs to ensure synergy.

The course of treatment usually lasts from 2 to 3 weeks, after which the patient is transferred to home treatment.

Surgical

Surgical treatment is usually resorted to when medications are ineffective. In addition, the intervention is not always radical:

The most commonly used blockade is the introduction of drugs directly into the lesion with a needle. Local anesthesia is usually used to relieve symptoms. After the procedure, its effect lasts for several days.
Blockades performed with glucocorticosteroids are more effective - they provide a therapeutic effect that lasts several weeks. The composition contains hormones that suppress the inflammatory process in the area of application.
In the most severe cases, an operation is performed - removal of the deformed areas of the joints between the ribs and the vertebrae. In this way, it is possible to remove the pressure on the nerve roots and blood vessels, which leads to the elimination of most manifestations.

Surgical correction does not lead to a complete cure of the disease, but only facilitates the patient's condition. Therefore, after each manipulation it is necessary to continue conservative therapy aimed at slowing the progression of the disease.

Rehabilitation

Elimination of the main signs of osteochondrosis does not mean the end of treatment. In the period after treatment, the patient undergoes rehabilitation measures:

In the initial period, procedures are prescribed that have a reflex effect. Electrophoresis and phonophoresis, UHF and laser can eliminate reflex muscle contraction in the thoracic spine.
Then begin more active procedures - massage, therapeutic exercises. They help strengthen the muscular frame of the chest.
Recovery ends with independent training, which must continue in a continuous mode. They allow you to slow the progression of osteochondrosis.

Such patients are advised to choose sports that allow them to develop muscular endurance and strength at the same time. That is why patients are advised to engage in swimming and competitive walking, which allows you to create an even load on all muscles. Daily training is not mandatory - three sessions a week are enough.