Arthrosis of the costal vertebral joints is a rather dangerous pathology, the essence of which is the progressive wear of local tissues. Due to the systematic age-related inhibition of metabolic processes in the body, elderly people often suffer from the disease. Cartilage, which plays the role of joints between the ribs and vertebrae, begins to suffer from a deficiency of oxygen and nutrients. The sad result is the gradual drying out, abrasion and cracking of these structures. In our publication, I would like to consider the causes, symptoms and treatment of arthrosis of the costal vertebral joints.
The mechanism of the formation of pathology
Arthrosis of the arched and costal vertebral joints develops in stages:
- Against the background of a failure in metabolic processes, decreased daily activity, oxygen starvation and insufficient saturation of local tissues with nutrients, degenerative changes are launched.
- In the area of articular joints, inflammatory processes periodically develop.
- Over time, puffiness begins to go into the chronic phase.
- The response of the body to changing conditions is an increase in the volume of connective tissue, which provokes the formation of pathological processes of osteophytes.
- Neoplasms inhibit the mobility of the joints of the ribs and vertebrae, causing deformation of local structures.
- There is a “vicious circle” when regular inflammations provoke degenerative changes, and joint deformation irritates soft tissues.
During the progressive development of arthrosis, the shape of some vertebrae changes dramatically. The result is a restriction of movement in the problem area. The elasticity of the joints is gradually reduced to zero, a pronounced pain syndrome is formed.
Characteristic symptoms
A person subject to the development of arthrosis of the costal vertebral joints constantly feels the stiffness of movements, especially in the lower back. This includes the periodic development of pain in the sacro-lumbar zone. Unpleasant sensations are aching in nature. Discomfort is aggravated during rotation of the body, torso of the body in various planes. In the initial stages of the formation of arthrosis of the costal vertebral joints, the pain subsides after a good rest. If a neglected form of the disease occurs, the discomfort is permanent, regardless of the physical activity of the person.
Tight mobility with arthrosis usually manifests itself in the morning, after waking up. After about an hour, the discomfort subsides somewhat. Crunch in the lumbar region is periodically noted throughout the day. At the location of the problematic vertebra, tightness and excessive muscle tension are felt. The effect is complemented by the occurrence of soft tissue swelling.
If a person for a long time does not pay attention to such symptoms, over time, rapid fatigue develops, a decrease in working capacity, a general malaise makes itself felt. In the case of severe arthrosis of the costal vertebral joints, it becomes difficult to get out of a sitting position and move back without outside help.
About the causes of the disease
Arthrosis of the costal vertebral joints and abdominal pain, other internal organs, are provoked by daily prolonged stay in an immobile position. People who lead a similar lifestyle, at first do not pay much attention to this moment. Discomfort, which is noted in the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine, is attributed to ordinary physical fatigue. Over time, the situation worsens. Arthrosis begins to progress if the following factors occur:
- Injury to the back and adjacent areas.
- Compression of the spine.
- Reluctance to pay attention to periodic exercise.
- Endocrine disruptions.
- The development of infectious processes in connective tissues.
Physiotherapy
With arthrosis of the costal vertebral joints and joints, doctors advise to perform a set of special gymnastic procedures. Physiotherapy exercises can strengthen and increase the mobility of the spinal column. The result of regular classes will be the removal of painful pain in the chest, shoulder blades, neck, lower back. Training has a beneficial effect on the condition of internal organs.
To eliminate the pronounced symptoms of arthrosis of the costal vertebral joints, perform the following procedures:
- Warm up the body well first. Take a series of unhurried, smooth torso to the sides and back and forth. Then hang on the horizontal bar. While holding on the bar, try to relax your back as much as possible. Such actions make it possible to stretch the spine and relieve the feeling of tightness.
- Take a pose on all fours. Perform a high deflection of the back up, freely bowing your head and relaxing your neck. Hold in a static position for a couple of seconds. Return to the original position, and then bend in the opposite direction, raising the pelvic region and shoulder girdle.
- Lay your back on the gymnastic mat. Grasp the knee of the right leg with your palms and gently pull the limb in the direction of the chest. Perform a similar operation with the second leg. Do a dozen repetitions of the exercise.
- Move to an upright stance. Bring the feet together. Keep your back steady. Take a deep breath and raise your hands up through the sides. Slowly bend back in the back. As you exhale, lean forward, trying to round the spine as much as possible.
- Lie on your stomach with your palms at shoulder level. Gently straighten your arms and lift the body. Keeping your position on the straight upper limbs, stretch your chest forward.
- Sit on a chair and place your palms behind your head. As you inhale, bend your back back, spreading your elbows wide. Focus on high-quality chest opening.
- Lying on your stomach, stretch your arms up behind your back and straightened arms. Try to tear your shoulder girdle well off the floor.
We draw attention to one important point. If an exacerbation of arthrosis of the costal vertebral joints is observed, immobilization of the problem area is required. For this reason, before performing physiotherapy exercises, an additional examination should be done and approval by the doctor regarding the possibility of performing gymnastics.
Nurofen
Gel “Nurofen” produces an analgesic effect on pathological tissues, relieves swelling at the site of arthrosis formation. These properties are based on the action of the active ingredient ibuprofen, which inhibits the production of mediators of inflammation and prostaglandin pain.
For treatment purposes, squeeze a small amount of the drug from the tube and gently apply to the skin with stroking movements. Wait until the composition is completely absorbed. Reuse of the product is allowed after 4 hours. The procedure is recommended to be performed 2-3 times a day. If the symptoms of arthrosis are aggravated by the results of several weeks after the start of therapy, it is important to stop treatment by consulting a doctor.
Fastum Gel
In the treatment of arthrosis of the rib-vertebral joints of the thoracic region, the Fastum Gel tool will help. The drug contains a biologically active component dexketoprofen, which produces an analgesic effect on degenerative tissues. The analgesic effect is observed almost instantly after applying the gel to the problem area. Positive changes are saved for the whole day. Regular use of the product relieves local inflammations and makes it possible to experience improved mobility. The advantage of the medication is the rapid absorption into the deep structures of the tissues and the absence of an unpleasant odor.
Diclofenac
Gel “Diclofenac” is advisable to use to perform therapy for arthrosis of the rib-vertebral joints of the chest, other parts of the spine, if the disease is identified in the early stages of development. The medication contains biologically active components that relieve inflammation of local tissues. The drug relieves pain, relieves swelling, eliminates the effect of stiffness of the joints.
Treatment of arthrosis of the costal vertebral joints with the help of the drug is as follows. The gel is applied to the problem area with a thin layer, without rubbing it into the skin. The procedure is performed 2-3 times a day. Regular use of the drug allows you to get rid of unpleasant symptoms in the shortest possible time.
"Final gel"
A proven solution to combat the development of arthrosis of the rib-vertebral joints of the thoracic region is the drug “Finalgel”. The tool belongs to the new generation of medicines. The main active ingredient here is piroxicam, which blocks the synthesis of the cyclooxygenase enzyme, which provokes the development of inflammation. The result of therapy is the removal of puffiness, the elimination of pain and improved mobility in the area of problematic vertebrae.
For treatment, apply a small drop of gel to the area where discomfort is noted. Rub the composition into the skin until completely absorbed. Perform therapy according to the specified schedule 3-4 times a day. The course of treatment for arthrosis of the rib-vertebral joints of the thoracic region with the help of the drug is two weeks.
Miostimulation
The essence of the physiotherapeutic procedure is the impact on the problem areas with directed electrical impulses. The method of treatment looks most relevant for bedridden patients, when the implementation of physiotherapy exercises is prohibited by the doctor. The technique provides bringing local tissues to an increased tone. The joints cease to suffer from nutrient deficiencies, which contributes to recovery.
Joint extension
Physiotherapeutic technique involves stretching joints subject to arthrosis in a clinical setting using a special device. During one session, the procedure is performed for 15-20 minutes. Therapy helps to reduce the burden on degenerative joints and slow the progress of the disease. The result of regular use of the treatment method is a noticeable reduction in discomfort.
Shock wave therapy
Performing UVT in order to combat arthrosis of the rib-vertebral joints makes it possible to soften the processes of osteophytes, the growth of which is the main reason for the development of a stable pain syndrome. Regular use of the technique provides a gradual resorption of pathological neoplasms. In the problem area, better saturation of tissues with oxygen and nutrients due to increased blood flow is observed. Despite the indicated advantages of the solution, shock wave therapy guarantees a full recovery only in cases when arthrosis was diagnosed in the early stages.
Phonophoresis
The method of therapy involves the simultaneous execution of several types of effects on pathological tissues. Pharmacological preparations are introduced into the structures affected by arthrosis. Then doctors use an ultrasound machine. Thanks to wave radiation, drugs are much better absorbed by local tissues. The effect of drugs is significantly enhanced.
Endoprosthetics
In the most neglected cases, when medical treatment, special gymnastics and physiotherapeutic procedures do not allow to achieve the transition of the disease into a state of remission, doctors resort to emergency solutions. We are talking about arthroplasty of damaged structures. The essence of the method is to replace the destroyed joint with metal, ceramic or plastic implants.
A complex, expensive operation requires the participation of a qualified doctor. After performing therapy, a long period of rehabilitation follows. In some situations, endoprosthetics is the only possible solution for returning an immobilized person to a full life. The main advantage of the method is the service life of dentures for decades.