Skip to content
Thoracic Disc Disease in Minnesota
Learn More About Thoracic Spine Disorders
If you’ve been diagnosed with Thoracic Disc Disease in Minnesota or are experiencing persistent mid-back pain, understanding the thoracic spine can help you better understand your condition and treatment options.
The thoracic spine is the longest section of the spinal column, consisting of 12 vertebrae (T1 through T12). It sits between the seven cervical vertebrae in the neck and the lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal vertebrae below. The term thoracic comes from the thorax, or chest, because each thoracic vertebra connects to a pair of ribs to form the rib cage.
This rib cage surrounds the thoracic cavity, helping protect important organs such as the heart and lungs. Because of this close relationship, certain thoracic spine disorders can affect more than just the back. For example, a significant change in the curvature of the thoracic spine can reduce the space available for lung expansion and impact breathing.
What Is a Thoracic Spine Disorder?
Thoracic Disc Disease in Minnesota refers to conditions affecting the discs and structures of the thoracic spine that cause pain, limit function, or affect the surrounding nerves and spinal cord.
The thoracic spine serves several important functions, including:
- Supporting and anchoring the rib cage, which protects the lungs, heart, esophagus, and major blood vessels.
- Providing attachment points for muscles and ligaments that stabilize the trunk.
- Protecting the spinal cord and the 12 pairs of thoracic spinal nerves.
- Working with the rest of the spine to support body weight while allowing movement and stability.
A variety of conditions can affect the thoracic spine, including congenital abnormalities, degenerative changes, infections, metabolic disorders, tumors, and structural conditions. Several of the more common thoracic spine disorders are outlined below.
Thoracic Disc Herniation
Thoracic disc herniation is much less common than herniated discs in the cervical (neck) or lumbar (lower back) spine. Many thoracic disc herniations produce no symptoms and may only require treatment if they begin causing pain, nerve compression, or functional limitations such as difficulty walking.
Curvature of the Thoracic Spine
Natural age-related changes and certain medical conditions can alter the normal curvature of the thoracic spine. In more advanced cases, these changes may reduce lung capacity and interfere with normal breathing.
Kyphosis
Kyphosis is an exaggerated forward curvature of the thoracic spine that creates a rounded or hunched appearance.
Although kyphosis is commonly associated with aging and decreased bone density, it may also develop as a result of conditions such as Marfan syndrome or Scheuermann’s disease.
In Scheuermann’s disease, the thoracic vertebrae develop uneven shapes rather than maintaining a uniform thickness. As these wedge-shaped vertebrae stack together, they create an abnormal spinal curve.
Scoliosis
When the thoracic and lumbar spine curve sideways by 10 degrees or more, the condition is known as thoracolumbar scoliosis.
Compression Fractures
As bone density decreases with age, osteoporosis can weaken the vertebrae, making them more susceptible to compression fractures.
Although many compression fractures produce few or no symptoms, some cause sudden, severe back pain. Patients who sustain one thoracic compression fracture may also be at increased risk for future vertebral fractures.
How Common Are Thoracic Spine Disorders?
Compared with cervical and lumbar spine disorders, Thoracic Disc Disease in Minnesota is relatively uncommon.
Thoracic disc problems account for less than 1% of all disc herniation cases. Most disc herniations occur in either the neck or lower back.
Symptomatic thoracic disc herniation is diagnosed more often in men than women, with many patients receiving a diagnosis during their 30s or 40s.
Conditions affecting the curvature of the thoracic spine are much more common. Studies have found that kyphosis affects a significant percentage of older adults, and osteoporosis-related compression fractures become increasingly common with age, particularly among women over 50.
What Causes a Thoracic Spine Disorder
Despite being the longest portion of the spine, the thoracic region is less commonly associated with back pain than the cervical or lumbar spine.
The rib cage and its strong supporting ligaments provide additional stability to the thoracic spine, limiting motion and reducing stress on the intervertebral discs. Forward bending, twisting, and rotation are also more limited in this area, decreasing wear and tear over time.
However, several factors can still contribute to Thoracic Disc Disease in Minnesota.
The thoracic spine contains 12 vertebrae, making it the longest region of the spinal column and increasing the opportunity for injury.
The spinal canal is also narrower than it is in the cervical and lumbar spine. As a result, there is less available space around the spinal cord if injury or degeneration occurs.
Additionally, both the thoracic vertebrae and intervertebral discs are thinner than those found in other regions of the spine.
What are the Symptoms of a Thoracic Spine Disorder?
Symptoms of Thoracic Disc Disease in Minnesota can vary depending on the specific condition and whether nearby nerves or the spinal cord are affected.
Because the thoracic spine connects to the rib cage, nerves exiting the thoracic spine provide sensation not only to the middle back but also to portions of the chest and abdomen.
Pain associated with thoracic disc disorders is often difficult to pinpoint. Instead of remaining in one location, discomfort may radiate into the chest, abdomen, groin, or even the forearm.
Thoracic disc herniation may also cause:
- Myelopathy caused by spinal cord compression
- Radiculopathy caused by spinal nerve compression
Pain from upper thoracic disc herniation may resemble symptoms originating from the lower cervical spine, while lower thoracic disc problems can sometimes mimic lumbar spine disorders.
Symptoms may become worse during coughing, sneezing, lifting, or other activities that increase pressure within the chest cavity.
Because the spinal canal is narrower in the thoracic region, a thoracic disc herniation may produce more significant symptoms than a similar injury in the neck or lower back.
Persistent pain that does not improve with changes in position should be evaluated by a physician. Immediate medical attention is also recommended if symptoms occur following significant trauma, during corticosteroid use, or if there is a sudden loss of bowel or bladder function, which may indicate a medical emergency requiring prompt evaluation.
How Are Thoracic Spine Disorders Diagnosed?
Diagnosing Thoracic Disc Disease in Minnesota begins with a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, and appropriate imaging studies.
Your physician will ask about:
- When your symptoms began
- The location and severity of your pain
- Activities that improve or worsen symptoms
- Previous surgeries or injuries
- Current medications
- Your overall medical history
During the physical examination, your provider will evaluate strength, sensation, reflexes, and walking ability. Some patients with thoracic spine disorders develop a wide-based gait characterized by slower, less stable walking.
X-Rays
Standing X-rays may be ordered to evaluate the spine under normal weight-bearing conditions and help identify fractures, spinal alignment changes, or other structural abnormalities.
MRI
If symptoms continue despite conservative treatment, an MRI may be recommended.
MRI imaging can identify thoracic disc herniation, inflammation, swelling, bone marrow changes, and nerve compression. In some situations, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a specialized MRI technique, may provide additional detail regarding nerve root compression to assist with surgical planning.
Conservative Thoracic Spine Disorder Treatments
Treatment for Thoracic Disc Disease in Minnesota typically begins with conservative therapies, as many cases of back pain improve without surgery.
Depending on your symptoms, your physician may recommend six to twelve weeks of non-surgical treatment before considering more advanced interventions.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy often includes exercises designed to improve flexibility, strength, posture, and overall spinal function.
Treatment plans may also incorporate aerobic conditioning, heat therapy, cold therapy, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Medications
Your physician may recommend medications to help manage pain, including NSAIDs, prescription pain medications, anticonvulsants such as gabapentin, or antidepressants that are commonly used to help manage certain types of nerve pain.
Injections
Intercostal nerve blocks performed with imaging guidance may help interrupt pain signals and provide temporary symptom relief for some patients.
Thoracic Spine Surgery: What Are Your Options?
Surgery may be recommended for patients with Thoracic Disc Disease in Minnesota when conservative treatments have not provided sufficient relief or when neurological symptoms continue to progress.
Certain spinal conditions, including progressive myelopathy and some forms of scoliosis, may also require surgical treatment to preserve normal function.
The most appropriate procedure depends on the underlying diagnosis and the location of the spinal problem.
Traditional vs. MIS Thoracic Spinal Surgery
Traditional open spine surgery requires larger incisions and greater disruption of surrounding muscles and soft tissues. Recovery may be longer, and wound healing can take additional time.
Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) uses specialized instruments and smaller incisions designed to reduce blood loss, shorten recovery time, and minimize disruption to surrounding tissues. Even with minimally invasive techniques, patients should expect a period of recovery following surgery.
Inspired Spine also offers Minimally Invasive Direct Thoracic Interbody Fusion (MIS-DTIF) for select patients with thoracic disc herniation at T6-T7 or below. This procedure involves removing the damaged disc, placing a graft or interbody device, and stabilizing the affected vertebrae with spinal instrumentation. Your spine surgeon can determine whether you are a candidate based on your diagnosis and overall health.
Certain factors can affect the likelihood of a good surgical outcome. For more information, see: What’s the Difference Between Traditional (Invasive), Minimally Invasive, and Inspired Spine MIS Surgery?
Thoracic Spine Surgery Recovery
Recovery following thoracic spine surgery is often longer than recovery after cervical or lumbar spine procedures.
Because the spinal canal is narrower in the thoracic region and the spinal cord has a more limited blood supply than in other areas of the spine, following your surgeon’s postoperative instructions is especially important.
Gradually returning to normal activities while following your physician’s recommendations can help support recovery and improve long-term outcomes.
Conditions
See Our Treatments
Inspired Spine has developed advanced minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques that allow us to treat even complex spinal conditions without the drawbacks of traditional open back surgery.
Are You a
Candidate for
MIS Spinal
Surgery?
Is neck or back pain restricting your daily activities? For 6 months or more? Have non-surgical treatments failed to help?
“I Live a Whole
Different Life.”
Over 1,000 patients have benefited from Inspired Spine MIS Surgeries. See testimonials from just a few.