Thoracic Conditions

Your thoracic spine, better known as your middle and upper back, is vulnerable to conditions like compression fractures that seldom affect the rest of your spine. Brandon Ortega, MD, in Torrance and Long Beach, California, provides comprehensive care for all thoracic conditions, including surgery to restore stability and ease pain. Call his practice, Brandon A. Ortega, MD, today to schedule an evaluation for your thoracic condition.

What is the thoracic spine?

The thoracic spine is its middle portion, beginning at the base of your neck and running down to the bottom of the ribs. The midback is stable because it supports the ribs (all but the bottom two ribs attach to the thoracic vertebrae), and the ribs protect your lungs and heart.

While the rigid midback joints protect your chest cavity, they allow enough movement for you to breathe. These joints also support rotational movement without enabling the extensive bending and mobility your neck and lower back provide.

Which thoracic conditions might I develop?

The thoracic spine is less vulnerable to many conditions commonly affecting the neck and lower back. However, the midback can still develop similar age-related degenerative conditions, including:

• Herniated discs (the disc’s soft inner core pushes through its cracked outer cover)
• Thoracic spondylosis (osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, facet joint syndrome) 
• Radiculopathy (nerve root compression)
• Myelopathy (spinal cord compression)
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal and foraminal or side openings)

The conditions in this list cause midback pain. Though uncommon, they can also cause leg pain, numbness, aching, or pain in your chest.

Which conditions primarily affect the thoracic spine?

The midback is especially susceptible to two conditions, compression fractures and kyphosis:

Compression Fractures

A compression fracture happens when osteoporosis collapses the vertebrae. Without treatment, osteoporosis weakens the bone to the point that it can no longer support the body weight and pressure typically carried by the thoracic vertebrae.

Compression fractures usually happen suddenly, causing pain and affecting your ability to move. When several vertebrae collapse, you develop kyphosis.

Kyphosis

Weak thoracic vertebrae collapse in the front part of the bone but keep their typical height on the backside. When several adjacent vertebrae collapse, this new wedge shape creates a rounded curvature, kyphosis, in your middle or upper back.

How are thoracic conditions treated?

The first line of treatment Dr. Ortega provides for degenerative thoracic conditions includes activity modification, physical therapy, and pain management.

Pinched nerves, compression fractures, and kyphosis can improve with conservative management, but if symptoms persist or worsen, then surgery may be the best option. Additionally, you might also need surgery to ease the symptoms caused by a degenerative condition.

Call Brandon A. Ortega, MD, today to learn about thoracic conditions.