Spine Surgeons conducting a Cervical spine procedure

THORACIC SPINAL INSTABILITY

Thoracic spinal instability occurs when the vertebrae in your upper middle back lose their normal range of motion or alignment. Unfortunately, this “loose and wobbly” spine can be caused by various factors like trauma, disc degeneration, tumors, or congenital conditions — putting stress on surrounding nerves and muscles. Meanwhile, this can lead to a range of symptoms, including sharp pain, tingling, muscle spasms, and even difficulty breathing

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3 percent of individuals with progressive curvature may eventually experience severe problems that can include scoliosis and back pain, spinal problems, and nerve compression causing numbness, weakness, and leg pain.

Thoracic Spinal Instability:

Thoracic spinal instability is a condition where there is abnormal and excessive movement between the vertebrae in the mid-back region of the spine. Clearly, this instability results from various factors, including degenerative changes, traumatic injuries, or other medical conditions that compromise the structural integrity of the thoracic spine. In addition, individuals with thoracic spinal instability may have persistent mid-back pain, stiffness, and a sensation of the spine lacking normal support. In more severe cases, symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the trunk or arms and legs may occur. After all, the goal of treatment is to restore thoracic spine stability, remove symptoms, and improve overall function.

Causes:

Trauma: Injuries, such as fractures or dislocations, can destabilize the thoracic spine.
Degenerative Disc Disease: The breakdown of spinal discs, which act as cushions between vertebrae, can foster instability.
Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal can sometimes cause instability.
Tumors: Sometimes, growths in or around the spine can affect stability.
Infections: Spinal infections may lead to the weakening of the vertebrae and ligaments.

Symptoms:

Back pain: Often localized in the middle of the back.
Radiating pain: Pain that may extend into the chest or abdomen.
Numbness or tingling: In the trunk or arms and legs.
Muscle weakness: Weakness in the legs or difficulty walking.

Questions and Answers

What is Thoracic Spinal Instability?

Thoracic spinal instability refers to a condition where there is abnormal movement between the vertebrae in the thoracic (mid-back) region of the spine. This can result from various factors, including degenerative changes, trauma, or underlying medical conditions, leading to a loss of stability in the thoracic spine.

What Are the Symptoms of Thoracic Spinal Instability?

Symptoms of thoracic spinal instability may include persistent mid-back pain, stiffness, and a sense of the spine “giving way.” In more severe cases, individuals may experience neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the trunk or extremities. The specific symptoms can vary based on the underlying cause and the degree of instability.

How is Thoracic Spinal Instability Diagnosed and Treated?

Diagnosis involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI to assess the structure and stability of the thoracic spine. Treatment options depend on the severity and cause of the instability. Conservative measures may include physical therapy, pain management, and bracing to provide support. In some cases, doctors will recommend surgical intervention to stabilize the spine, such as spinal fusion or instrumentation. Doctors will determine the choice of treatment by the individual’s specific condition and overall health.

Diagnosis:

The proper thoracic spinal instability diagnosis involves a clinical evaluation that includes imaging studies:

Medical History and Physical Examination: This includes the patient’s symptoms and a physical exam to assess stability, strength, and reflexes.
Imaging Studies: X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to visualize the thoracic spine and identify instability.
Dynamic Imaging: Flexion-extension X-rays or other dynamic imaging studies to assess spinal movement.

Treatment Options:

The treatment approach for thoracic spinal instability may vary based on the cause and symptoms:

Bracing: In mild cases, doctors will suggest braces to provide support and limit movement.
Physical Therapy: To get better, exercises to strengthen the core muscles and improve stability always help.
Medications: As part of the care, pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or muscle relaxants all work to manage pain.
Surgery: In severe cases, doctors will suggest surgery to stabilize the spine and relieve symptoms.

Surgical Procedures:

Surgical procedures for thoracic spinal instability may include:

Spinal Fusion: For treatment, surgeons join two or more vertebrae together to stabilize the spine.
Instrumentation: Surgeons will use of rods, screws, or other devices to stabilize the spine.
Decompression: Surgeons will remove bone or tissue to relieve pressure on nerves.
Disc Replacement: With today’s technology, surgeons can replace a damaged disc with an artificial one.

Success Rates:

The success of treatment for thoracic spinal instability depends on many factors, including the cause, patient symptoms, and the chosen treatment method. Also, success rates for surgery are generally favorable, especially when addressing instability caused by trauma or degenerative conditions.

Risks of Surgical Procedures:

Surgical procedures carry risks, including infection, bleeding, nerve damage, or failure of instrumentation. Also, doctors must make the decision to undergo surgery based on the potential benefits and risks, and patients should discuss these with their doctors.

Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute:

Patients may consider seeking a complete evaluation to determine treatment options at specialized institutes like the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute. Furthermore, the reasons to consider such specialized care include the presence of experienced spine specialists, a focus on individualized treatment plans, and access to advanced surgical techniques.

In fact, the doctors at the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute have performed more than 16,000 successful spine surgeries. Significantly, they have also helped more than 100,000 patients get back to living a normal, pain-free life. So, if doctors advise you that nothing can help, please call us at Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute, and we have offices in Dallas, Plano, and Frisco, Texas. Finally, with our skills, knowledge, abilities, expertise, and experience, we can offer hope, remove pain, and provide better health. If you need help, call us for an evaluation at 214-556-0555 or visit our contact page today!

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Physiopedia: Thoracic Spinal Instability

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