THORACIC SPINAL STENOSIS

Thoracic Spinal Stenosis

The spinal canal, located in the middle or thoracic spine, can narrow with age. Spinal stenosis is the medical term for this narrowing of the spinal canal. Spinal stenosis develops gradually and slowly reduces the space of the spinal cord and/or the nerve space in that area. Thoracic spinal stenosis is less common than other narrowing conditions. Thoracic spinal stenosis happens when the orifice through which nerve roots leave the spinal canal or the canal through which the spinal cord travels becomes restricted.

The spinal cord may become compressed or the nerve roots may get irritated once the spinal canal becomes congested. Any of the T1 to T12 vertebrae in the middle of the back may experience thoracic spinal stenosis. The center of the back is where the thoracic vertebrae are situated. Because the vertebrae attach to the ribs in this area, symptoms of thoracic spinal stenosis may include loss of movement and difficulty rotating the upper body. This appears as the reason this condition varies from lumbar or lumbar spinal stenosis.

Thoracic Spinal Stenosis Risks?

Older people are more likely to acquire thoracic spinal stenosis since it can come from normal aging. Other elements, though, are equally crucial. Because their spinal canal has been affected, those with thicker tissues, bone spurs, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, bulging discs, and arthritic spurs are more prone to get thoracic spinal stenosis. Osteoarthritis also causes this illness, which affects elderly individuals more frequently. Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage that ordinarily cushions the ends of our bones wears away, allowing the bones to scrape against one another. In addition, the following factors may contribute to spinal stenosis:

Herniated discs

Herniated discs refer to protruding or bulging discs. They are frequently the consequence of aging-related wear and tear, a stressful experience, or an accident.

Spondylolisthesis

This condition involves the displacement of one or more vertebrae.

Bone spurs

They could enlarge into the spinal canal, pressing the nerves.

Enlarged facet joints

The cartilage inside the facet joint may swell up due to degenerative changes in the joints between the vertebrae.

Spinal canal ligament irritation

This inflammation may result in restriction.

Are you Experiencing Signs of Thoracic Spinal Stenosis?

It might become difficult to identify your symptoms because many spinal disorders have overlapping ones. Therefore, if you suffer from back pain, we recommend that you visit us. Numerous spinal problems will worsen and become more severe and ultimately cause disabilities. If spinal stenosis does not get treated, it may eventually result in irreversible nerve damage. No matter what your health issue, you don’t want to suffer unnecessarily; a fast diagnosis and treatment plan may get you well and offer you peace of mind.

Key Thoracic Spinal Stenosis Symptoms

Although thoracic spinal stenosis symptoms are widespread, not everyone will experience them in the same manner. One patient could only have one symptom, while another might possess several or none at all.

• The most distinctive indications are as follows:
• Severe numbness in one or both feet or legs
• Tingling or numbness in the foot or legs
• Stiffness or weight in the legs
• Instability or trouble standing or moving around

Less frequent symptoms may include:

• Middle-back pain or discomfort, rib pain, or leg pain
• A sense of restriction in the chest or belly
• Pain that travels down one body side
• Bladder or bowel problems

It’s crucial to remember that doctors believe that losing control of one’s bladder or bowels appears as a very severe matter that calls for prompt attention and treatment. If a patient experiences this symptom, they should visit an emergency room as soon as possible.

Diagnosing Thoracic Spinal Stenosis

Searching for your symptoms on Google, assuming you know what’s wrong, and waiting it out won’t suffice when back pain strikes. While various spinal disorders and spinal stenosis share many symptoms, each has a different course of treatment. Patients will have the chance to talk about their pain and any additional symptoms they may have at their initial session at the Scoliosis and Spine Institute. If you have had an MRI, we will review it together with your medical history. 

Exams & Tests

Once the doctor completes the preliminary diagnosis, the doctor will decide if imaging tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis of thoracic spinal stenosis and help identify the exact cause of the problem. The tests most commonly used to diagnose thoracic spinal stenosis include:

• X-rays: used to detect whether spinal instability and the presence of bone spurs
• MRI: aids in identifying any nerves that thoracic spinal stenosis has compressed
• EMG: Required if neurological damage is suspected to see stimulation or nerve damage

Treatment for Thoracic Spinal Stenosis Symptoms

The compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots in thoracic spinal stenosis frequently necessitates surgical intervention, in contrast to other forms of spinal disorders that frequently benefit from non-surgical therapy. In mild cases of thoracic myelopathy, which is compression of the central part of the spinal cord, doctors may initially use a combination of physical therapy and medication, followed by extensive follow-up to monitor the condition. Surgery will follow in situations in more severe cases, or if there is a progression of minor cases.

Surgeons use the Following Surgical Procedures to Treat Thoracic Spinal Stenosis:

Minimally invasive laminectomy

The most popular surgical treatment for treating spinal stenosis is minimally invasive laminectomy, a non-fusion operation that widens the spinal canal and relieves pressure on the nerves. A minimally invasive laminectomy involves making a small incision in the back and moving muscles laterally to access the affected area of the spine. The lamina, a component of the vertebral arch, is then pierced to relieve compression. With no sutures to remove and little muscle damage, we carry out this surgery endoscopically through a less than an inch-long incision. Following surgery, patients just require a BAND-AID. Patients should anticipate going home the same day because more than 95 percent of minimally invasive laminectomy treatments are done as outpatient procedures.

Spinal fusion

To connect the vertebrae with a bone graft or other materials, we frequently do thoracic spinal fusion surgeries at the Scoliosis and Spine Institute in combination with a laminectomy. The spine will become stronger and more stable as a result. When deciding whether a patient can undergo a minimally invasive operation or whether they require an open fusion procedure, we consider a number of variables. Surgeons may complete some Spinal Fusions as an outpatient treatment with a one-inch incision and no need for sutures when it is carried out as a minimally invasive procedure.

Minimally invasive foraminotomy

In order to prevent compression of the nerves as they exit in the spinal canal, we can enlarge that area using special equipment. A minor incision less than an inch long is used during minimally invasive foraminotomy to remove a fragment of bone and soft tissue.

Prevention & Self-Care

It is impossible to avoid thoracic spinal stenosis. Therefore, making certain lifestyle adjustments and adopting healthy routines can help maintain a healthy spine and prevent these kinds of diseases. The following are some suggestions for preventive and self-care:

• Wearing sophisticated medical braces for spinal stenosis
• Yoga, swimming, and flexibility exercises
• Giving up smoking
• Being healthy in terms of weight

Risk Factors

Up to 90% of spinal stenosis cases reported today are from aging-related degenerative changes. The bone spurs that might result from this degeneration, known as spondylosis, could possibly constrict the spinal canal. As mentioned, other potential causes of spinal stenosis include the development of synovial cysts, degeneration, herniation, or bulging of intervertebral discs, and the thickening of spinal canal ligaments (fluid-filled sacs in the joints). Although other issues including fractures, tumors, infections, systemic bone illnesses, or abnormalities that are present at birth might result in the spinal canal narrowing, the phrase “spinal stenosis” is often only used to refer to degenerative issues.

The Road to Recovery

The time following spine surgery is just as crucial to our patient’s general health and well-being as the procedure itself. At the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute, we pledge to support patients every step of the way.  From making the initial diagnosis to recovery, we will provide the very best of care. We offer ongoing pain management, muscle relaxants, bracing for support, metabolic supplements for maximum bone, nerve, and soft tissue healing, topical scar-healing drugs, and physical therapy as needed to aid in recovery. Our team of skilled medical assistants and physician assistants offers a high degree of assistance to support patients as they move through the recovery stage.