Before MRI, doctors relied mainly on myelography to diagnose thoracic disc herniations. Herniations in the upper part of the thoracic spine can radiate pain and other sensations into one or both arms. This could indicate a bulging disc in the cervical area. Its on again/off again. Tingling or numbness is felt in the hands, arms, feet or legs. one test i would ask for is a ECG to check your heart if thats ok then its probally the thorasic disc herniation thats causing the problems ( since the t7 t8 discs are mid way up the spine they cause symptoms to parts of the body in that area ) .. finally the headaches may be caused by a problem with one of the discs in the neck ( headaches are common place with neck disc herniations ). Alternatively, the same conclusion may be stated in any of the following language: herniated disc touching the spinal cord, herniated disc effacing the spinal cord or herniated disc encroaching upon the spinal cord. Patients may work with the therapist in a pool. And in some cases the severe herniated disc may remain silent and only diagnosed incidentally during . PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Right for You? Pain that increases when bending or turning your neck. You are not able to move one or both of your legs. Were you getting these same symptoms as well? Once the disc is in, the patient should be pain free and have full movement. Your doctor will probably have a physical therapist direct your rehabilitation program. Decreases in sensation, numbness or tingling sensations have all been reported by people with thoracic spine degeneration. Compression fractures of the spine usually occur at the bottom part of the thoracic spine (T11 and T12) and the first vertebra of the lumbar spine (L1). All rights reserved. This helps me so much! Herniated or disk in the neck (herniated cervical disk) Symptoms of a herniated disk in your neck include: Pain near or between your shoulder blades. Patients with a thoracic disc bulge may experience a sudden onset of back pain during the causative activity, however, it is also common for patients to experience pain and stiffness after the provocative activity, particularly the next morning.. Patients are normally seen a few times each week for four to six weeks. Discs are spongy cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. (N.B In some cases it may be beneficial to perform this exercise every 1 or 2 hours provided the exercise does not cause or increase symptoms). The spinal canal is narrow in the thoracic spine. Muscle relaxants may be prescribed if the back muscles are in spasm. As a result, the disc material is often pushed directly toward the spinal cord. Stage 2 and 3 ruptures can cause moderate to severe pain or partial paralysis and require anti-inflammatories, pain medications, and strict rest. They normally don't show the discs, unless one or more of the discs have calcified. Keeping the back still for a short time can calm inflammation and pain. Scoliosis convex to left centered at T5/T6. You may also need any of the following: Copyright Merative 2022 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. In addition, there is a Schmorl's node in the superior endplate of the T6 vertebral body where disc material has herniated through a fracture in the endplate. The spinal canal is a hollow tube inside the spinal column. Never have I had any other pain and the tightness in flexion, really does not hurt, simply feels extraordinarly tight. But this condition appears when there is some severe problem in the T5-T6 disc. But it always gets better. For example, a disc called the T5-6 disc would be located between the 5th and 6 thoracic vertebrae. The pain may be centered over the injured disc but may spread to one or both sides of the mid-back. appropriate medical assistance immediately. A herniated disc in T6-T7 level can cause several conditions . Registered number: 10004395 Registered office: Fulford Grange, Micklefield Lane, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6BA. i also had the problem of coming off methadone during this period which was hell .. however i have that out of the way ( allmost still some post opiate symptoms to deal with ) and i can now come to terms with the physical symptoms i have . in all my MRI scan showed 3 slipped discs and a problem with my hip however due to my previous methadone addiction my gp(doctor) wont prescribe me anything but gabapentin and anti-inflamatorys ( which play havoc with my tummy ). I have been getting burning neck pain, headaches (I get chronic migraines so that's actually somewhat normal for me), some rib pain on the left side where the herniation is, chest pain and sometimes it feels difficult to breathe inlike shallow breathing, muscle pain in the arms and just weird feelings like heat almost, and shocks, weakness. The injured portion of the disc that is pressing against the spinal cord is removed (discectomy) with small instruments. In rare cases when symptoms do arise, the main concern is whether the herniated disc is affecting the spinal cord. He began professionally writing in 2009 for Demand Studios as a freelance writer on issues in health and medicine. It is our goal to provide the highest level of care and service to our patients. Then the bony knob on the side of the vertebra (the transverse process) is removed. video assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS). Unlike the upper parts of the thoracic region- T4-T5 and T5-T6; T6-T7 region is more exposed to disc problems. Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Stage 4 and 5 ruptures are so severe that surgical therapy is necessary. Pain is the most common symptom of a thoracic herniated disc and may be isolated to the upper back or radiate in a dermatomal (single nerve root) pattern. Incredibly helpful info. . Sorry this is so long by the way! Ageing is not about years, it is about how do we handle the body and take care of it. Saad Mohammad, M.D., is currently in the process of applying to residency anesthesiology. Numbness in the legs and/or the feet. The mechanism of most spinal cord injuries is spinal fracture or dislocation. Anyways, I realize this is very longbut if anyone can relate, please comment. A disc extrusion, also known as a disc herniation, usually occurs from degeneration due to a disease like osteoarthritis or the natural aging process. Well that's not reality. Then the doctor examines you to see which back movements cause pain or other symptoms. Blood vessels that run up and down the spine nourish the spinal cord. Thank you for choosing Dr. Corenman as your healthcare provider. If the discs become displaced, or herniated, they can impinge on surrounding structures and cause uncomfortable symptoms. It is our goal to provide the highest level of care and service to our patients. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times provided there is no increase in symptoms. I have been reviewed by an orthopaedic spine specialist and he has said that there is nothing in my MRI films that alarms him or warrants surgery. Your skin sensation, muscle strength, and reflexes are also tested. However, only one vessel, the anterior spinal artery, goes to the front of the spinal cord in the area between T4 and T9. A small disc herniation at T5-6 can cause three different types of symptoms. Thoracic disc injury, first described in 1838, is an uncommon site of injury owing to the stabilizing effect of the rib cage. Doctors usually have their patients try nonoperative treatment for at least six weeks before considering surgery. (Ayurveda) doctor. Severe lower abdominal or pelvic discomfort and difficulty initiating urination are potential symptoms of urinary retention. The second is radiculopathy or compression of the spinal nerve that exits the cord. Pain in the feet, thighs, lower spine and buttocks. 1999-2023 Veritas Health, LLC. I did have nerve pain radiating along the side but that went away a while ago, and now If I sleep on my back or sit in the car too long against the chair the damaged bits get aggravated and flare up, and there will be a larger circumference of irritation and burning until it settles down and the next episode of aggravation & burning occurs. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Spine. Learn How Bone Growth Therapy Can Help You, Get a Comprehensive Evaluation from Mayo Clinic's Spine Care Experts. Read our editorial policy. The spinal cord is similar to a long wire made up of millions of nerve fibers. Are my symptoms typical of a disc issue at this level? Do I just wait this out? Any condition that takes up extra space inside this canal can injure the spinal cord. Patients may be prescribed anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total). As soon as he touched the bulge it exploded like a 'pimple'. This machine creates pictures that look like slices of the area your doctor is interested in. There is very little extra space around the spinal cord in . Hold for 2 seconds and perform 10 repetitions provided the exercise does not cause or increase symptoms. Our experienced physiotherapists are updating PhysioAdvisors injury articles to include the most important information to help users take control of their injury and hasten their recovery. The herniated disc may press on your nerves or spinal cord. They see a therapist for one to three months, depending on the type of surgery. This is a detailed X-ray that lets doctors see the body's tissue in images that also look like slices. Generally, they should be performed provided they do not cause or increase symptoms. At T1 through T12, the dorsal ramus goes into the back muscles and also provides sensation to the skin. Pain that spreads into the arms or legs is sometimes relieved with oral steroids taken in tapering dosages. (N.B In some cases it may be beneficial to perform this exercise every 1 or 2 hours provided the exercise does not cause or increase symptoms). Trouble bending or twisting your . 12th ed. Repeat 4 5 times daily. The discs in your spine act as cushions between the vertebrae, and they can herniate, or bulge, and put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. These are comparatively more prominent in the lower extremities. It is absolutely scary! A rise in the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has led to the discovery that many people, perhaps as many as 15 percent of Americans, have a thoracic disc herniation.Seeing a herniated thoracic disc on MRI is often incidental, meaning it shows up when the person has MRI testing for another problem.. Few people with a thoracic disc herniation feel any symptoms or have any . I recently found out I have a bulging small herniation at T7-8 with slight cord flattening. I had an MRI 2 years ago after MV accident and this is what it read: T5/T6 small right paracentral disc protrusion with annual fissuring and contact and mild flattening of right anterior aspect thoracic cord. This link is subject to forces from daily activity, such as bending and twisting, which lead to degeneration. A thoracic disc may also herniate as a result of a sudden and forceful twist of the mid-back. A slipped disc occurs when the "gel" covering a disc in the spine herniates and shifts, due to degeneration of disc elasticity. Central disc protrusion is a type of herniated bulging disc affects the spinal cord and could possibly result in nervous system disorders, such as radiating pain and muscle weakness as well as other symptoms stemming from nerve irritation.

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