Pain in the sternum with osteochondrosis occurs much less frequently than with a similar disease of the lumbar or cervical spine. In this regard, such a disease is quite difficult to diagnose, especially in the early stages of its development. Therefore, we decided to devote this article to this topic. From it you will learn about what pain in the sternum occurs with osteochondrosis, as well as how to treat this disease.
general information
The term “osteochondrosis” came to medicine from the Greek language and literally means ὀστέον, that is, “bone”, and χόνδρος, that is, “cartilage”. In other words, it is a complex of degenerative disorders in cartilage and joints. This disease can develop in almost any moving part of the skeleton. Often patients complain that they regularly feel pain behind the sternum. With osteochondrosis, this symptom manifests itself in every second patient. This fact is due to the fact that during the aforementioned disease, intervertebral discs are affected, which, when in contact with each other, cause unpleasant sensations that give out for the sternum.
Types of lesions
Depending on where the intervertebral disc disorders are localized, the following types of osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- thoracic;
- cervical;
- lumbar.
Particular attention should be paid to the fact that pain in the chest with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is practically no different from the unpleasant sensation that occurs with lesions of the thoracic vertebrae. That is why, in order to identify this disease, you should definitely consult a doctor who will conduct a medical examination and make an accurate diagnosis.
How often does the disease develop?
As mentioned above, pain in the sternum with osteochondrosis occurs much less frequently than with other similar diseases. This is due to the fact that the human spinal column has several sections. Cervical - is the most mobile, and the lumbar has the greatest load. As for the thoracic region, it helps to form a certain framework in which all vital organs are located. For this reason, the vertebrae in this place are less mobile. Moreover, they rarely have a large load.
In connection with all of the above, it can be noted that the pain behind the sternum does not always indicate the presence of osteochondrosis of the aforementioned department.
The beginning of breast osteochondrosis
How does this happen? If you regularly feel pain behind the sternum, you should immediately consult a doctor. Indeed, despite the rarity of this disease, it still occurs in some people.
In the initial stages of thoracic osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs gradually become thinner. Further, protrusion often occurs. At this stage, the discs begin to protrude sideways or inward, resulting in a hernia.
As a rule, pain in the sternum with osteochondrosis (treatment will be presented below) becomes more pronounced during active movement or after physical exertion. However, it should be noted that with lesions of the thoracic vertebrae, such sensations very rarely disturb the patient. This is due to the fact that this department is strictly fixed. If the resulting changes in one way or another affect the fibers of the nervous autonomic system, then the patient may easily think that he has usual problems with the digestive organs, heart, etc. Although in fact the pain behind the sternum is only an echo that comes from the vertebrae .
Causes of occurrence
Why is this so? What is the reason for chest pain with osteochondrosis? It was said above that this disease is associated with the destruction of articular and cartilage tissues of the spine. So why does it collapse?
To date, the causes that cause changes in the drives are not fully understood. Most often, pain in the sternum with osteochondrosis begins to be felt after 35 years. Exacerbation and development of this disease is facilitated by back injuries, vibrations, dynamic and static overloads. Osteochondrosis, including chest, often appears due to:
- overweight;
- hereditary (or so-called genetic) predisposition;
- metabolic disorders, infections or intoxications;
- malnutrition (lack of fluid and trace elements);
- age-related changes;
- spinal injuries (fractures and bruises);
- violation of posture, flat feet;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- adverse environmental conditions;
- work related to weight lifting;
- prolonged stay in uncomfortable postures while sitting, standing or lying down;
- excessive physical exertion;
- spinal congestion associated with diseases of the foot;
- abrupt cessation of regular training by professional athletes;
- nervous strain, stressful situations;
- smoking.
Pain behind the sternum with osteochondrosis: symptoms of the disease
Patients diagnosed with osteochondrosis regularly complain of aching pain in the back and behind the sternum. As a rule, subsequently, a feeling of aching in the limbs and numbness are attached to such sensations.
What other symptoms arise, except that the person feels pain in the chest? Osteochondrosis is almost always accompanied by such signs as:
- noticeable increase in pain during sudden movements, weight lifting, physical exertion, sneezing and coughing;
- muscle spasms.
It should also be noted that lesions of the thoracic, cervical and lumbar vertebrae can sometimes cause other symptoms. Let's consider them in more detail.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
Does such a deviation always cause chest pain? Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine may not be accompanied by the described sensations. But with such a deviation, patients almost always say that they periodically experience pains in the shoulders, arms and headaches. In addition, the development of vertebral artery syndrome is possible . With such a pathology, a person often has a noise in the head, flickering of "flies", dizziness or the appearance of colored spots in front of the eyes. The cause of this syndrome is a spasm of the vertebral artery in response to irritation of its sympathetic plexus.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic vertebrae
When does chest pain occur? Osteochondrosis of the thoracic vertebrae is the main cause of such unpleasant sensations. At the same time, the patient may claim that he was stuck in a stake. Although it should be noted that sometimes such symptoms do not appear at all. In this regard, it is much more difficult to diagnose such a disease than lesions of the cervical or lumbar spine.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral vertebrae
With such a deviation, pain in the chest practically does not occur. But at the same time, the patient can regularly complain of discomfort in the lower back, which is given to the sacrum, to the pelvic organs, as well as lower or upper limbs.
Pain behind the sternum in osteochondrosis: treatment of the disease
Before talking about the treatment of this disease, the essence of the problem should be disclosed. The fact is that it is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the spinal column. This fact is due to the fact that this is a degenerative process that occurs in the disks. In other words, they just collapse. In this case, there is not only a violation of the biological mechanics of the spine, but also the entire skeleton as a whole. Also during such a disease there are a lot of neurological abnormalities.
In connection with the foregoing, I want to note that the complex therapy of the presented disease should:
- To stop the subsequent destruction of disks, and ideally, to restore their previous structure.
- Restore the biological mechanics of the spinal column.
- Eliminate any disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system.
Drug treatment
How to remove chest pain? Osteochondrosis, the treatment of which should be comprehensive, is always accompanied by unpleasant sensations. In this regard, the therapy of the presented deviation should be primarily aimed at combating pain. Indeed, when disks are displaced and the nerve root is squeezed, a rather strong pain syndrome occurs, which can cause spasms of the muscular tissues of the back. At the same time, it violates the biological mechanics of the spine. Thus, a vicious circle arises: pain significantly enhances muscle spasms, and spasms increase pain.
What medicines should be taken?
As a rule, with osteochondrosis, accompanied by severe pain behind the sternum, in the back, limbs, etc., the following drugs are prescribed:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, Diclofenac, Ketorolac, Ibuprofen). They suppress pain and partially relieve inflammatory processes in damaged nerve roots.
- Glucocorticosteroids (for example, Prednisolone, Methylprednisolone, Dexamethasone). These are hormonal drugs that have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. However, it should be noted that this type of medication has more side effects than NSAIDs.
- Diuretics, or so-called diuretics (for example, means "Furosemide", "Diacarb", "Hydrochlorothiazide"). Such drugs relieve swelling from pinched nerve roots, and are also used as an adjunct to other medications. This medicine is used for a short time.
- Preparations for improving the metabolism of nerve tissues. These include vitamins of group B, Pentoxifylline, Actovegin, thioctic acid and so on.
- Chondroprotectors (for example, the drug "Glucosamine" or "Chondroitin sulfate"). Manufacturers of these funds claim that the presented group of drugs is able to repair damaged cartilage of the vertebral discs. Although clear evidence in this regard has not yet been received.