In the disc, the situation is the same. To understand the mechanism of a thoracic disc bulge, it is useful to liken the disc to a vanilla slice. The spinal canal is narrow in the thoracic spine. Other causes may include injury, trauma, overexertion, illness or obesity. Surgeons take extreme care not to harm the spinal cord. But it always gets better. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. There are several activities in everyday life which typically cause thoracic disc bulges provided they are forceful, repetitive or prolonged enough. I feel much better than I did MONTHS ago, but I don't feel I am 100% yet. At first, therapists may use treatments such as heat or ice, electrical stimulation, massage, and ultrasound to calm pain and muscle spasm. You're so right. Reviewed December 2013. The brain exchanges electrical signals with the rest of the body via the spinal cord. They typically get affected when the disc is directly impinging on the spinal cord itself, and are usually indications for more serious treatment, such as surgery. The spinal cord is similar to a long wire made up of millions of nerve fibers. Repeat 4 5 times daily. The information is produced and reviewed by over 200 medical professionals with the goal of providing trusted, uniquely informative information for people with painful health conditions. 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. The average time to diagnose a thoracic herniated disc is usually 4 to 6 months. Another option for immobilizing the back is a back support brace worn for up to one week. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON. The medical term for fusion is arthrodesis. When there are signs that the herniated disc is affecting the spinal cord, surgery may be required, sometimes right away. Chiropractic, massage, physical therapy, medications and epidural injections (rarely facet injections) are the treatment options. I had pins and needles in my mid back along with some burning pain. Surgeons may recommend surgery if patients aren't getting better with nonsurgical treatment, or if the problem is becoming more severe. By itself, myelography only helps diagnose this condition in about half the cases. I found this out about 2 weeks ago, and I get pretty bad anxiety as it is so I'm wondering if these side effects are similiar to anyone else's or if anyone can relate to how I'm feeling? Extreme hot or cold temperatures of hand. Pain that travels to your shoulder, arm and sometimes your hand and fingers. Thoracic disc injury, first described in 1838, is an uncommon site of injury owing to the stabilizing effect of the rib cage. The diagnosis of thoracic disc syndrome requires a high index . We are all different so wether we have the same health issues as others or not . This is the most common symptom of a thoracic herniated disc. Even if you don't need surgery, your doctor may recommend that you work with a physical therapist. Others say their leg or arm muscles feel weak. Using a backpack. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. Introduction. The dye can improve the accuracy of a standard CT scan for diagnosing a herniated thoracic disc. It provides most of the disc's ability to absorb shock. He is an M.D. Central disc protrusion is a type of herniated bulging disc affects the spinal cord and could possibly result in nervous system disorders, such as radiating pain and muscle weakness as well as other symptoms stemming from nerve irritation. Is the MRI report innocent enough like my orthopedic states? It surrounds the spinal cord as it passes through the spine. For example, a disc called the T5-6 disc would be located between the 5th and 6 thoracic vertebrae. Ligaments are strong connective tissues that attach bones to other bones. The symptoms of a herniated disc in the thoracic area usually include: Pain that travels around the body and into one or both legs. Begin sitting or standing tall with your back straight. Vaidya Dr. Pardeep Sharma is Chief Ayurvedic Physician at Sukhayu Ayurved Jaipur. Pain is one of the primary symptoms of degenerative thoracic spine disease. Many surgical patients need physical therapy outside of the hospital. Low back pain. I have a herniation at T5-T6, A newer symptom that has been coming on for about 4 months now and getting stronger. Mobility exercises are also started for the back. These injuries are repaired with scar tissue. A herniated disc can cut off the blood supply to the spinal cord. 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.". Tell him or her if any area on your spine is painful when touched. Other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracic region. When it comes to T5-T6 disc herniations, the symptoms are not aggressive. Herniated disc causes include injuries that happen in an instant and degeneration over time. and lifting (especially in combination with twisting). Spinal cord injuries are usually classified based on the spinal nerve root level where function is reduced or completely lost. You have severe headaches when you hold your head in certain positions. Fusion surgery is not usually needed if only a small amount of bone and disc material was removed during surgery to fix a herniated thoracic disc. While most characteristics may be similar we are all affected at different levels. It should also be noted that a severe strain of a muscle between ribs (intercostal muscle) may cause an intercostal nerve to become inflamed, painful, and possibly make breathing more difficult. Also, if the branch of the thoracic nerve going toward the back becomes inflamed, pain and other symptoms could be felt in the back at or near the location of the inflammation. Immediately, the pain began resolving, and she was pain free and off her medications within several weeks. 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 ). The most rare symptom is myelopathy, the dysfunction of the spinal cord. A therapist can design a rehabilitation program for your condition that helps you prevent future problems. So in transthoracic decompression, the surgeon operates through the chest cavity to reach the injured disc. These symptoms vary according to the compression on the nerves. And in some cases the severe herniated disc may remain silent and only diagnosed incidentally during screening of the rest of the spine. Bending forward closes down the front of the disc, pushing the jelly-like substance within the disc towards the back. Related Document: A Patient's Guide to Thoracic Spine Anatomy. Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total). In addition, there is a Schmorl's node in the superior endplate of the T6 vertebral body where disc material has herniated through a fracture in the endplate. For example, the T3 nerve root runs between the T3 vertebra and T4 vertebra. Symptoms depend on where and how big the disc herniation is, where it is pressing, and whether the spinal cord has been damaged. Symptoms are generally exacerbated with activities involving rotation, side bending, activities using your arms in front of your body, lifting, bending forwards, or prolonged sitting (especially if slouched). For people who do have symptoms, the symptoms tend to improve over time. Regarding the comparison between times, there was a statistical reduction in the rates of physical disability at T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 compared to T1 (p < 0.05). . Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. T6, T7 and T8 - These lead into your chest and abdomen. Thank you for choosing Dr. Corenman as your healthcare provider. Since I found out about the herniation, I feel as if everything has heightened. Ayurvedic Treatment for T5-T6 slip disc is aimed in restoring the disc to the natural position. The surgeon watches the TV screen while cutting and removing damaged portions of the disc. Thank you for choosing Dr. Corenman as your healthcare provider. If this single vessel is damaged, as can happen with pressure from a herniated thoracic disc, the spinal cord has no other way to get blood. Doctors often refer to these vertebrae as T1 to T12. The spine specialist will take the findings of the MRI and correlate it to what is found upon physical and basic neurologic exam. Iron Neck for chronic pain caused by foraminal stenosis? In: Canale ST, Beaty JH, ed. Strengthening exercises address the back muscles. An L1/L2 herniation is an especially common type of disc herniation. Your doctor will probably have a physical therapist direct your rehabilitation program. (Ayurveda) doctor. I had a lumbar discectomy in 2009 on my entire Lspine, all my lower disc's were herniated no i have a T6-T7 and T8-T9 herniation that is inverted rather then exverted so it is pressing on my Spinal column, there isn't anything that we can do pain killers don't work, physical therapy doesn't work we haved to just deal with the pain. X-rays show the bones. Patients with a thoracic disc bulge may experience a sudden onset of back pain during the causative activity, however, it is also common for patients to experience pain and stiffness after the provocative activity, particularly the next morning. Last updated on Feb 6, 2023. 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. Perhaps there is some reason other than what is found on the MRI that causes your surgeon to say the cervical issues are inoperable. !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 ! Makes complete sense. Generally, they should be performed provided they do not cause or increase symptoms. T4, T5, T6, T7, & T8 vertebrae: the remaining muscles in the chest and trunk of the body. Few people with a thoracic disc herniation feel any symptoms or have any problems as a result of this condition. The symptoms of desiccation depend on the area of the spine that is affected. Type I disc disease is characterized by disc herniation ("slipped disc") and a sudden onset of signs. For example, a T6 spinal cord injury would impair or lose function at the T6 nerve root level and below. Also, patients commonly feel a band of pain that goes around the front of the chest. I was always treated with respect and explained everything throughly, that made it easy for everyone to understand. Mild thoracic disc herniation may not cause any signs or symptoms. The spinal cord and nerves' correlation to these levels . Although people often refer to a thoracic disc herniation as a slipped disc, the disc doesn't actually slip out of place. A herniated thoracic disc can also affect one or both legs in a few different ways, including causing numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and increased tightness or stiffness. Among these diseases To set the slipped disc to normal is one. Trans means across or through. Spinal anatomy and surgical approaches. Statistics say this is what should be happening and this is how we should feel . Thoracic discs are located between the base of your neck and your lower back. 1. Disc protrusions (often called 'herniated', 'bulging' or 'prolapsed' discs) are often found in people without back pain. Anterior versus posterior approaches for thoracic disc herniation: Association The treating physiotherapist can advise if this is required and will refer to the appropriate medical authority if it is warranted clinically. A herniated disc occurs when the intervertebral disc's annulus (the outer fibers) is damaged and the soft inner material of the nucleus pulposus ruptures out of its normal space. Since I've never dealt with this before, I obviously don't know. Heavy feeling in the upper extremities. eg, T3 radiculopathy could radiate pain and other . This T5-T6 slip disc generally diagnosed in same way. Discs are spongy cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. Hold for 2 seconds and perform 10 repetitions provided the exercise does not cause or increase symptoms. A herniated disk, which can occur in any part of the spine, most often occurs in the lower back. When it comes to T5-T6 disc herniations, the symptoms are not aggressive. The thoracic spine (i.e. Unfortunately. 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. Normal signal. Vertebrae are stacked on top of one another to create the spinal column. The therapist will continue to be a resource. After removing part or all of the disc, the spine may be loose and unstable. However, they may use myelography and CT scans when preparing to do surgery to fix a herniated thoracic disc. Thoracic discs are located between the base of your neck and your lower back. Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Right for You? Some patients leave the hospital shortly after surgery. Because the smart and safe manipulation cannot be done without Yoga Asanas. Blood vessels that run up and down the spine nourish the spinal cord. The patient underwent a mini-open thoracotomy with right T7 rib head resection, T6-T7 partial corpectomy, T6-T7 microdiscectomy, and T6-T7 instrumented fusion using rib autograft with lateral plate and screws. 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. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. I did have nerve pain radiating along the side but that went away a while ago, and now If I sleep on my back or sit in the car too long against the chair the damaged bits get aggravated and flare up, and there will be a larger circumference of irritation and burning until it settles down and the next episode of aggravation & burning occurs. Registered in England and Wales. Symptoms. This will cause radiating chest pain as you had previously described. Your pain worsens even after you take medicine. Radiating pain may be perceived to be in the chest or belly, and this leads to a quite different diagnosis that will need to . Where you feel a lump sensation in your throat, mucus as well & it affects your throat mainly) more so than stomach pains as of now but I do have pain that travels randomly. Unlike the upper parts of the thoracic region- T4-T5 and T5-T6; T6-T7 region is more exposed to disc problems. Well nerve s been compressed or compromised by dodgy back s ect, displays similar feelings to anxiety. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2013:1524-58. 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. Muscle spasm, pins and needles, numbness or weakness may also be present. During recovery from surgery, patients should follow their surgeon's instructions about wearing a back brace or support belt. This site is for educational purposes only; no information is intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. T3, T4, and T5 feed into the chest wall and aid in breathing. A herniated disc abutting the spinal cord is a diagnostic conclusion mostly seen on spinal MRI reports for back and neck pain sufferers. All rights reserved. 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 ). Patients may eventually report sensations of pins, needles, and numbness. Neurological Symptoms: Bulging discs are also known to cause tingling or "pins and needles" sensations in one or both legs. Aerobic exercises, such as walking or swimming, can ease pain and improve endurance. The second is radiculopathy or compression of the spinal nerve that exits the cord. 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. . The third is local spine pain from the degenerative disc disease. Injury can occur as a result of a fall, car accident, or other blow to the spine. Anatomy and Function of the Spine. I am glad you feel good! Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As a disc's annulus ages, it tends to crack and tear. You may have any of the following if the herniated disc presses against your nerves or spinal cord: Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and any health problems you have. These discs also act as shock absorbers. Symptoms of T6-T7 herniated disc. the mid and upper back) comprises of many bones known as vertebrae, each of which is separated by a disc (figure 1). // Leaf Group Lifestyle, The End Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease, Degenerative Changes of the Thoracic Spine, Twin Boro Physical Therapy: Thoracic Degenerative Disc Disease. There are common symptoms-. However, if a vertebra is fractured by trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or gunshot wound, it is possible for the spinal cord to sustain a lesion that leads to a permanent injury. You begin leaking urine or bowel movement, and it is not normal for you. 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. See Radiculopathy, Radiculitis and Radicular Pain. Patients who stay in the hospital may be visited by a physical therapist soon after surgery. About 8 weeks ago, I noticed a twinge in my mid-back but did not modifiy my exercise routine. Read our editorial policy. Thankfully, the thoracic spine is heavily protected by the rib cage, so it is much harder to damage and feel pain in this area than in the sections of the cervical or lumbar spine.Subluxations are still possible, however. See Upper Back Pain from Intercostal Muscle Strain. The Doc. I had an MRI 2 years ago after MV accident and this is what it read: T5/T6 small right paracentral disc protrusion with annual fissuring and contact and mild flattening of right anterior aspect thoracic cord. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of M51.9 - other international versions of ICD-10 M51.9 may differ. The goal is to safely advance strength and function.