What is Thoracic Stenosis?
The thorax is the area between your neck and abdomen.
Stenosis means narrowing of the area that houses your spinal cord and nerves.
Thoracic stenosis is a rare spinal condition in which the middle area of your back, the thorax, is narrowed and has less room for the spinal cord.
What causes it?
Thoracic stenosis can be caused by disc herniations, arthritis, fractures, bone spurs or tumors. Some people are born with congenital forms of thoracic stenosis, which causes the area that houses the spinal cord to be narrowed from birth. Most other people develop it over time from normal ‘wear and tear’ of the spine and aging.
What are the symptoms of thoracic stenosis?
The most common symptoms are:
- Numbness in the shoulders, arms, hands, feet or legs
- Stiffness in your neck
- Unsteady balance or abnormal walking
- Pain in the thoracic region of the back or around the ribs
How is it diagnosed?
Along with your history and exam, Dr. Webb uses x-rays, MRI imaging, and/or CT scans to diagnose thoracic stenosis.
How is it treated?
Treatment is done in a graduated manner, starting first with conservative measures and ultimately leading to surgery if the symptoms are not managed appropriately. Most patients can be treated with either level 1 or 2 treatment plans. One should understand that conservative treatments may not address the underlying cause of the thoracic stenosis. These treatments are to simply treat the pain and allow you to function better. Treatment of the underlying cause is usually only able to be addressed with surgery.
Level I – Non-operative treatment
- Pain medications
- Oral steroid medications
- Physical therapy, chiropractic therapy
- Activity modification
Level II – Injections
Epidural steroid injections
Level III: Surgery
Spinal decompression – This procedure is usually done by removing the bone, ligament, and/or disc material that is compressing the spine. This usually requires a stabilization or a fusion procedure with metal rods and screws.