How is thoracic herniated disc diagnosed?
Diagnostic Tests
- X-rays. The doctor may suggest taking X-rays of your mid-back.
- MRI. If a herniated thoracic disc is suspected, the MRI scan can help further diagnose a thoracic herniated disc.
- CT Scan. Sometimes, the X-ray and MRI do not tell the whole story.
How do you fix a thoracic herniated disc?
To help reduce inflammation in the herniated disc use of Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs or oral steroids can be used. If pain persists anti-inflammatory injections, such as an epidural steroid injection may be prescribed by the doctor. Ice therapy can be applied to the painful area for 15–20 minutes at a time.
Do thoracic herniated discs heal?
Most thoracic herniated discs heal on their own or with nonsurgical treatment, but in some cases of myelopathy or intolerable pain, surgery may be recommended.
What is a thoracic hernia?
Thoracic hernias are characterised by either protrusion of the thoracic contents outside their normal anatomical confines or extension of the abdominal contents within the thorax. Thoracic hernias can be either congenital or acquired in aetiology.
What does a thoracic herniation feel like?
The symptoms of a herniated disc in the thoracic area usually include: Pain that travels around the body and into one or both legs. Numbness or tingling in areas of one or both legs. Muscle weakness in certain muscles of one or both legs.
How common is Thoracic disc herniation?
“You have millions of people who herniate discs in the neck or lower back, but a herniation in thoracic spine area is exceedingly rare,” Bydon explains. A herniation like Gil’s occurs in one out of every one million people per year—the likelihood of the injury is, quite literally, one in a million.
How common is thoracic disc herniation?
How long does it take a thoracic herniated disc to heal?
The patient’s activity levels should be progressed gradually over a 6 to 12 week period as symptoms improve. In the vast majority of cases, the natural history of thoracic disc herniation is one of improvement with one or a combination of the above conservative (non-operative) treatments.
What are common herniated disc symptoms?
Pain. Pain can range from barely noticeable to excruciating.
What are the symptoms of thoracic spine injury?
Thoracic Spine Injury Symptoms. With any type of injury, the symptoms are moderate to severe back pain in the thoracic spine that is worsened with movement. If an injury leads to any type of spinal impairment, a person is more likely to suffer: Numbness. Weakness. Tingling. Back pain that radiates down into the thighs and legs.
What causes severe thoracic back pain?
The most common causes for Thoracic Back Pain or Middle Back Pain are injuries to the thoracic region from automobile accidents or sporting injuries, poor posture, medical conditions like arthritis or muscle strain. A sudden movement of the back may also cause pain in the thoracic region.
What are symptoms of thoracic arthritis?
Arthritis can affect any part of the spine. General symptoms of thoracic pain caused by arthritis include: tenderness or numbness if there is nerve entrapment; the feeling or sound of bone crunching; limited range of motion; and pain or tenderness in the shoulders, hips, knees or heels.