However, they may be underdiagnosed due to subtle or unspecific symptoms such as chest pain. Long-Distance Consults & Medical Legal: 888-888-5310, Request a Diagnostic or Surgical Second Opinion. A calcified disc that appears on X-ray to poke into the spinal canal is a fairlyreliable sign that the disc has herniated. A large disc herniation in the cervical spine may compress the spinal cord within the spinal canal and cause numbness, stiffness, and weakness in the legs and possibly . T12 is where the thoracic and lumbar spine meet. Pain that increases when bending or turning your neck. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Occasionally, thoracic disc bulges may occur following a trivial movement involving bending forward such as picking up a small object or sneezing. The following exercises are commonly prescribed to patients with this condition. spinal disc herniation 3 herniated disc Disc Herniation treatment herniated disc thorasic spine mild cervical disc herniation and thecal sac C6-7 fusion vs artificial disk replacement Disc Herniation L5-S5 and Disc Protrusion L4-5, do you think it's serious (MRI images applied) broken spine recovery herniated disc C5-6, small bulges C3-4 C4-5 Posted The medical term for fusion is arthrodesis. Few people with a thoracic disc herniation feel any symptoms or have any problems as a result of this condition. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and how your problem is affecting your daily activities. I have a herniation at T5-T6, A newer symptom that has been coming on for about 4 months now and getting stronger. Patients who stay in the hospital may be visited by a physical therapist soon after surgery. This helps me so much! Surgical removal of the tumors is typically the best and most efficient method for long-term care. 12th ed. Veterinary neurologists classify ruptured discs into five stages. Computed tomography (CT scan) may be ordered. The patient may experience pain radiating around the ribs and into the chest, or sometimes down the arms. Registered number: 10004395 Registered office: Fulford Grange, Micklefield Lane, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6BA. You are not able to move one or both of your legs. Diseases of the thoracic spine may lead to thoracic disc herniation. Anyways, I realize this is very longbut if anyone can relate, please comment. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. The lowest vertebra of the thoracic spine, T12, connects below the bottom of the rib cage to the first vertebra of the lumbar spine, called L1. Surgical treatment for this condition includes. A herniated disc abutting the spinal cord is a diagnostic conclusion mostly seen on spinal MRI reports for back and neck pain sufferers. The Doc. I am glad you feel good! All rights reserved. Updated sections include detailed information on: Treatment, Intermediate & Advanced Exercises and a step by step Rehabilitation Protocol for each updated injury article ensuring you have the tools to take control of your injury and save money on expensive physiotherapy consultations. washing dishes, driving etc.) Columbia University Department of Neurological Surgery. It provides most of the disc's ability to absorb shock. Introduction. Veritas Health, LLC, 520 Lake Cook Road, Suite 350, Deerfield, IL, 60015. The most rare symptom is myelopathy, the dysfunction of the spinal cord. Your doctor will also want to know what positions or activities make your symptoms worse or better. Scoliosis convex to left centered at T5/T6. The explanation and descriptions are easy to follow and so helpful in understanding the a variety of conditions covered.Thank you Dr Corenmen for providing such a valuable directory of information. The injured portion of the disc that is pressing against the spinal cord is removed (discectomy) with small instruments. In these cases, surgery is needed right away. (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). After removing part or all of the disc, the spine may be loose and unstable. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited. Statistics say this is what should be happening and this is how we should feel . The camera allows the surgeon to see the area where he or she is working on a TV screen. If the herniation occurs in the middle of the thoracic spine, pain can radiate to the abdominal or chest area, mimicking heart problems. Muscle weakness in certain muscles of one or both legs. In the middle of the disc lies a soft jelly-like substance which is capable of changing shape. 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. I would say your symptoms are typical. The main thing in this level is- if there will be some problem in this place, pain and discomfort will radiate in the lower middle back. For more details see Become a Member. Until unless the compression is not severe in this region. Thoracic discs are located between the base of your neck and your lower back. i was steady for 4 years after until I had a mild car accident causing a bit of whiplash. Problems with sensory perception can also show up as a result of nerve compression by a herniated disc. It found a herniated disc between T5-T6..specifically from the report Central, r para central disc protrusion, at T5/T6, cord contact, but no abnormality of the cordcanal at 1.05 CM.. Mobility exercises are also started for the back. I actually am dealing with acid reflux (silent reflux, not the heartburn kind. When it comes to T5-T6 disc herniations, the symptoms are not aggressive. T9, T10, . After about 3 weeks, the levels between T5-T8 were sensitive to the touch so I sought consultation from an orthopod where he ordered an MRI. They should be cautious about overdoing activities in the first few weeks after surgery. Less commonly, a thoracic disc may herniate suddenly (an acute injury). Your provider may look at your spine and feel for any abnormal areas. This procedure is done with a thoracoscope, a tiny television camera that can be inserted into the side of the thorax through a small incision. Your pain worsens even after you take medicine. 1999-2023 Veritas Health, LLC. 6 years ago, We dont believe in forceful manipulation or some stretching or some therapies, because we understand well that if there will be an injury in the spine- it might cause severe problem in the spine. Patients with Scheuermann's disease, for example, are more likely to suffer thoracic disc herniations. I highly recommend Dr. Corenman and the Steadman Clinic. Each thoracic spinal nerve is named for the vertebra above it. Posts: 9. I got everything checked as far as the heart goes, including a chest x-ray which also checked my lungsand everything in that realm is completely fine. Disc herniations can affect areas away from the spine. Severe lower abdominal or pelvic discomfort and difficulty initiating urination are potential symptoms of urinary retention. Spinal anatomy and surgical approaches. 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. An L1/L2 herniation is an especially common type of disc herniation. The main problem is not in the change in the disc. Tingling or numbness is felt in the hands, arms, feet or legs. Radiating pain may be perceived to be in the chest or belly, and this leads to a quite different diagnosis that will need to . The spinal canal of the thoracic spine is narrow, so the spinal cord is immediately in danger from anything that takes up space inside the canal. !he read all of my issue and details and his replies really helped me in decidingi am now confident about my decision and i now totally understand the procedure thanks to the in-depth information providedthank you ever so much ! Campbells Operative Orthopaedics Volume Two. Symptoms are typically felt in the mid back, sometimes between or around the shoulder blades and may be located centrally, on one side or on both sides of the spine. The motor and sensory functions provided by a thoracic nerve root are determined by its vertebral level. Muscle spasm, pins and needles, numbness or weakness may also be present. The careless attitude and sedentary lifestyle when meet together this condition of T5-T6 appears more frequently. These symptoms vary according to the compression on the nerves. The MRI machine uses magnetic waves rather than X-rays to show the soft tissues of the body. Therapy treatments focus on relieving pain, improving back movement, and fostering healthy posture. Many put feeling s down to anxiety cause that's an easy answer they then don't need to look for anything else. It's almost as if the pain just travels to random spotsit's the weirdest thing! A herniated disc in T6-T7 level can cause several conditions . A cervical herniated disc may put pressure on a cervical spinal nerve and can cause symptoms like pain, pins and needles, numbness or weakness in the neck, shoulders, or arms. Symptoms of thoracic disc herniation vary widely. The spinal canal is narrow in the thoracic spine. Thoracic, the middle of the back. im attaching a image which will show you how each disc can affect certain parts of the body anxiety is normal with disc problems .. however i came off methadone ( after taking it for 8 years ) while having undiagnosed thorasic disc herniations,so as you can imagine i was pretty anxious and also had to put up with having to come off one of the strongest painkillers around and then the associated anxiety that comes with it, i am now on 600mg of gapapentin daily and 750mg of naproxen daily which seem to be doing the job i also take 30mg to 40mg of buscopan which relaxes the stomach ( you can buy these over the counter however your gp should be able to prescribe these if you ask ), does the pain move when you have a meal or snack this would be interesting to know, anyway i wish you well sara and have a wonderful xmas, Thank you so much for this!!!!! There was a significant reduction in the ODI at T4, T5, and T6 compared to T2 (p < 0.05). You have symptoms of a thoracic disc hernation. Location: West Michigan. These symptoms typically follow a pattern as noted above, based on the affected nerve root's location and functions. Incredibly helpful info. Neurological Symptoms: Bulging discs are also known to cause tingling or "pins and needles" sensations in one or both legs. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of M51.9 - other international versions of ICD-10 M51.9 may differ. This is significant in the diagnosis of thoracic disc herniation. Injury: A sudden blow to the spine can cause an intervertebral disc to rupture. The pain is usually located in the upper back, corresponding to the location of the thoracic spine, or can be felt along the ribs if a nerve exiting the spinal cord is compressed by the disc. In patients with the perfect balance of activities, the thoracic disc may be pushed into position in as little as three days. But yes the pain moves, and I have been changing my diet drastically for the reflux but I'm wondering if it's MAIN source is the spine, again. These include questions about where you feel pain, if you have numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, and if you are having any problems with bowel or bladder function. Before I got the MRI that showed what's going on, I was only getting some neck pain and mostly chest pain (which is why I got the MRI to begin with), and some random muscle pains in my arms but nothing like how I feel it now. At the T1 through T11 levels, the ventral ramus eventually becomes an intercostal nerve that travels along the same path as the ribs (specifically between the innermost and internal intercostal muscles that connect adjacent ribs). knowing your not the only one with these conditions is a help however i have bad days and good days but everyday is a battle and will probally continue to be . in my situation the methadone was masking many of the symptoms which made my doctors job harder ( you dont feel as much pain when your taking a powerful opioid ), but dont worry see if your doctor can try you with gabapentin which is for nerve pain .. or even better pregablin which is also for nerve pain but is also used for anxiety ( which gabapentin does not ) if you can treat the anxiety then in turn this will help physical symptoms, the symptoms you have are common with thorasic disc herniations .. and to be honest if there were more sinister causes i would imagine they would be causing more severe symptoms now. Repeat 4 5 times daily. Third is the Yoga asanas. This is a detailed X-ray that lets doctors see the body's tissue in images that also look like slices. Intervertebral discs are spongy cushions located between the vertebrae (bones) of the spine. Others say their leg or arm muscles feel weak. T9, T10, . Sacrum, where the spine connects to the hips. A herniated disc can cut off the blood supply to the spinal cord. Left untreated, this section of the spinal cord dies, which can lead to severe problems of weakness or paralysis below the waist. I feel much better than I did MONTHS ago, but I don't feel I am 100% yet. Since I found out about the herniation, I feel as if everything has heightened. For instance, I will feel it in my back but then also around my chest area and even under my arm sometimes as well. Each thoracic nerve root exits the spinal canal through a bony hole, called an intervertebral foramen. While most characteristics may be similar we are all affected at different levels. As a general rule, addition of exercises or progression to more advanced exercises should take place provided there is no increase in symptoms. & if it affects our brain like that, it makes COMPLETE sense why we would be getting anxiety like this! Categorized as minimally invasive surgery, VATS is thought to be less taxing on patients. Immediately, the pain began resolving, and she was pain free and off her medications within several weeks. The symptoms of a herniated disc in the thoracic area usually include: Pain that travels around the body and into one or both legs. Extreme hot or cold temperatures of hand. Surgeons use costotransversectomy to open a window through the bones that cover the injured disc. As patients recover, they gradually advance in a series of strengthening exercises. The intervertebral disc is a specialized connective tissue structure that separates the vertebral bodies. This opens a space for the surgeon to work. However, the torn connective tissue at the back of the disc only begins to heal from this point. PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. The main aim is to restore the natural functioning of the body as well as the local muscles. If you want to go for Ayurvedic treatment for T5-T6 slip disc, just share your detailed MRI to us so that we can guide you better for the treatment. After branching from the spinal cord and traveling through the foramen, a thoracic nerve root branches into two different nerve bundles that feed into the nerves at the front (ventral ramus) and back (dorsal ramus) of the body. My question is, is this something that needs to be diligently monitored? Improving orthopaedic care, education and research using Internet technologies. Paraesthesia in whole arm or the fore-arm. The discs lose their elasticity and thickness, and while the thoracic spine is the least likely segment of the spine to suffer such changes, it does occur. Since I've never dealt with this before, I obviously don't know. Pain that travels to your shoulder, arm and sometimes your hand and fingers. There are two major categories of disc disease, Type I and Type II. T6, T7, and T8 can feed into the chest and/or down into the abdomen. Because the smart and safe manipulation cannot be done without Yoga Asanas. Saad Mohammad, M.D., is currently in the process of applying to residency anesthesiology. Recent developments in thoracic surgery include video assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS). 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 ). Causes of Upper Back Pain Video. The Typical Symptoms of T4 Syndrome or Upper Thoracic Syndrome Include: Diffused pain in arms. Discs that herniate into the critical zone of the thoracic spine (T4 to T9) can shut off blood from the one and only blood vessel going to the front of the spinal cord in this section of the spine. 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 . The displaced disc material becomes situated in such a way that it blocks part or all of a foramina. Not surprisingly, most thoracic disc herniations occur in this area. This can, in turn, result in immense pain and loss of feeling. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care. A thorough subjective and objective examination from a physiotherapist is usually sufficient to diagnose a thoracic disc bulge. Although people often refer to a thoracic disc herniation as a slipped disc, the disc doesn't actually slip out of place. He is the founder of the Sukhayu Ayurved and working with patients clinically since last 15 years. Additionally, improper lifting or strain can cause a herniated disc. Causes. When there is some disturbance in the kyphotic arrangement of the thoracic region, it impacts the T5-T6 disc. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2013:1524-58. 1999-2017 Orthogate. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON. Anterior versus posterior approaches for thoracic disc herniation: Association such as from a thoracic herniated disc or a narrowing of the foramen, thoracic radiculopathy can develop with symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness radiating along the nerve root. The dye shows up on an X-ray. Pain in the feet, thighs, lower spine and buttocks. One half of spinal fractures occur in the cervical vertebrae, one sixth in the thoracic vertebrae and one third in the . Healthy discs work like shock absorbers to cushion the spine. I tend to think I have some muscular issues but my physician does not want to discuss those and says it is all due to the disc bulge. But there might be some cases where problem is severe and condition needs to attend immediately. This site is for educational purposes only; no information is intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Thoracic herniated discs occur in the thoracic spine, which is made up of the 12 vertebrae that extend from the base of your neck to the bottom of your rib cage. Aerobic exercises, such as walking or swimming, can ease pain and improve endurance. Not liking the word normal is what alotof medical professionals use. 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. (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). I had my TLIF surgery on 6/24/2020 by Dr. Corenman, I can not say enough good things about the Dr or his staff. These need to be assessed and corrected with direction from the treating physiotherapist and may include: Physiotherapy treatment for this condition is vital to hasten the healing process and ensure an optimal outcome and may comprise: Despite appropriate physiotherapy management, a small percentage of thoracic disc bulges fail to improve and may require other intervention. Given the circumstances, disc extrusions are largely unpreventable and may heal on their own without surgery. Generally it is thought that natural treatment is all about using the natural things or products in the treatment, not very true. Non-dermatomal pains or aches in the forearm or arm. For people who do have symptoms, the symptoms tend to improve over time. Using a backpack. Hence, a slight compression will lead to symptoms. Myelography is a kind of X-ray test. sorry its been a while since i last posted . no your not alone .and unless you have these symptoms people ( and doctors ) dont understand, essentially each disc has a nerve coming from it and these come from the brain via the spinal cord however this is were it gets interesting each nerve from each disc goes ( and affects ) specific organs and area,s of the body for example T5/T6 affects the stomach,solar plexis and liver .and these can include dypepsia ( stomach pain ) and indegestion .. they can even ( when undiagnosed ) cause stomach ulcers ( allthough this is rare ). When this happens, the muscles served by these nerves may weaken and lose sensation. But it always gets better. the bulge at T5-6 creates a tightness around the chest ( just under the nipple ) and in some cases can feel like indigestion or even a heart attack,but the difficulty breathing is due to the intercostal muscles being pulled due to the disc herniation, another cause is the nerves in the intercostal muscle which can radiate the discomfort/pain more widespread than the actual problem.. its a bit like a toothache which hurts all one side of your face allthough the actual problem nerve is less than 1mm, i was prescribed "pregablin" which has worked wonders granted i still feel some discomfort but its 80% less than i was and i can now have a better quality of life, pregablin are nerve painkillers than simply shutdown the part of the brain that deals with nerve signals they also have a marked "anti-anxiety" property thats helpful when dealing with any anxiety thats associated with these conditions and as your anxious then pregablin may be ideal to A) cure the anxiety and b) stop any nerve pain, physio is also helpful but not ideal for everyone and surgery is also a option but after everything else has failed. The T3-4 posterior bulge presses upon the pain sensitive anterior surface of the dural tube and there is moderate desiccation of the T2-3, T3-4, T6-7 and T7-8 thoracic discs. Spine degeneration is common in T11 and T12. another cause is the nerves in the intercostal muscle which can . An epidural steroid injection can hasten improvement. There is no abnormal sinal with cord At T7-8 a small left paracentral disc herniation About 75 percent of thoracic disc herniations occur from T8 to T12, with the majority affecting T11 and T12. LOL, That's exactly it!!! Compression fractures of the spine generally occur from too much pressure on the vertebral body. During recovery from surgery, patients should follow their surgeon's instructions about wearing a back brace or support belt. However, most doctors advise against strict bed rest and prefer their patients do ordinary activities, using pain to gauge how much activity is too much. If the disc presses on the spinal cord itself, the discomfort can also cause gait and posture changes. The 2023 edition of ICD-10-CM M51.24 became effective on October 1, 2022. A slipped disc is also known as a 'herniated', 'ruptured' or 'prolapsed' disc. Tell him or her if you have had any recent injuries. As a result the custard is no longer supported as effectively at the back of the vanilla slice and therefore bulges out at this location. The T9, T10, T11, and T12 vertebrae form the base of the thoracic spine. 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. It is absolutely scary! The treatment sessions help patients learn to move and do routine activities without putting extra strain on the back. When treatment is well under way, regular visits to the therapist's office will end. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. The below are more examples of disfunction of thoracic spinal nerves Thoracic herniated disc, leading to thoracic radiculopathy, with symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness radiating along the nerve root. video assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS). Pain is usually the first symptom. Other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracic region. To understand the mechanism of a thoracic disc bulge, it is useful to liken the disc to a vanilla slice. Increased reflexes in one or both legs that can cause spasticity in the legs. Discs are spongy cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. Surgeons take extreme care not to harm the spinal cord. A foraminal disc protrusion is a degenerative spine condition that occurs when a disc weakens and bulges past its normal boundaries in the spinal column.