Article
Thoracic Herniated Disc Causes
Thoracic herniated discs are typically classified as being caused by one of two sources: degenerative disc disease or a sudden trauma resulting in upper back pain.
Herniated Disc
As a disc degenerates, the soft inner gel in the disc can leak back into the spinal canal. This is known as disc herniation, or herniated disc. Once inside the spinal canal, the herniated disc material then puts pressure on the nerve, causing pain to radiate down the nerve leading to sciatica or leg pain (from a lumbar herniated disc) or arm pain (from a cervical herniated disc).
Diagnosing a thoracic herniated disc always includes a good patient medical history and physical examination, and may be supplemented by diagnostic tests.
Article
Thoracic Herniated Disc Surgery
Thoracic herniated disc surgery is indicated in only rare instances when a herniated disc leads to myelopathy (spinal cord dysfunction), progressive neurologic deficits, or intolerable pain
Depending on the patient's symptoms, location and clinical diagnosis of a herniated disc, different treatment options are available.
Depending on the location of the back pain and other symptoms, it is possible to know whether a patient is suffering from a cervical, thoracic, or lumbar herniated disc.
Before treating a herniated disc, patients should obtain an accurate clinical diagnosis. Many patients place too much focus on their MRI to diagnose a herniated disc as the cause of their symptoms.
A thoracic herniated disc can cause thoracic back pain and pain that radiates along a nerve. Read about common symptoms and treatments for this condition.
Herniated disc, bulging disc, slipped disc are interchangeable terms. The cause of the pain, typically a pinched nerve or painful disc, is more important.
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