Thoracic Disc Disease

Thoracic disc disease is less common than disc problems in your lower back or neck, and when it occurs, its symptoms can mimic problems outside the spine. Amanda Carpenter, MD, and Duncan Carpenter, MD, at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates use their advanced experience to ensure you get an accurate diagnosis, and then they develop a highly personalized treatment. Call the Ridgewood, New Jersey, office or book online to learn if your back pain could be thoracic disc disease. 

What is thoracic disc disease?

The thoracic spine (the upper or midback located between the neck and lower back) includes 12 vertebrae that attach to the ribs. 

The joints in the thoracic vertebrae don’t support spinal movement (like the neck and lower back). Instead, they stabilize the ribs and support chest wall movement.

However, like the rest of the spine, the thoracic vertebrae are separated by cushioning discs — discs that are vulnerable to degenerative diseases.

What causes thoracic disc disease?

Thoracic disc disease develops due to the wear and tear of aging. These changes lead to two conditions:

Degenerative disc disease

With aging, the discs dehydrate and lose strength and flexibility. Then, they collapse and stop cushioning the bones. As a result, mobility decreases, bone spurs grow, and nerves become pinched.

Herniated discs

Over years of spinal movement, the disc’s tough outer cover becomes damaged. As weak spots develop, the gel-like substance inside the disc pushes out, causing a bulging disc. Before long, the weak area tears, and the inner gel leaks out. That’s when you have a herniated disc.

What symptoms does thoracic disc disease cause?

Symptoms usually develop as the degenerated or herniated disc affects the nerves. When symptoms appear, you may experience:

• Chest wall pain
• Upper abdominal pain
• Arm pain, tingling, or numbness
• Back pain
• Groin or lower extremity pain (uncommon symptoms)

These symptoms are easy to confuse with other problems, including kidney stones, gallbladder inflammation, and even a heart attack. And many healthcare providers may interpret the back pain as a lower back problem because thoracic disc disease is so uncommon.

For these reasons, seeing a spine specialist is important to ensure you get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

How is thoracic disc disease treated?

Treatment usually begins with physical therapy to strengthen your core muscles, posture training, medication, and epidural steroid injections.

You may need surgery if your pain doesn’t improve or you have pinched or damaged nerves. However, surgery to repair or replace a thoracic disc poses challenges compared to the neck and lower back.

The neurosurgeons at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates have the training, experience, and expertise to treat thoracic disc disease. Schedule an appointment today by calling or booking online.