brain and spine specialist

Thoracic Disc Herniation

What is thoracic disc herniation?

Along with growing age, our body can go through wear and tear that occur in the disc. This may lead to the soft spongy tissue in the center of the disc squeezing, i.e., herniate on the side of the disc. Thoracic disc herniation may also occur due to a type of injuries such as a sudden and forceful twist of the mid-back during an accident or a fall, or Scheuermann’s disease – a disease of the thoracic spine.  

What are the common symptoms of thoracic disc herniation?

Symptoms of thoracic disc herniation differ depending on factors like 

Position and size of the disc herniation
Nerve irritation or nerve injury, and
Damage to the spinal cord.

Other common symptoms are: 

Pain in the mid-back.
Pain around the front of the chest which is similar to heart problems.
Groin pain.
Numbness.
Weakness in the legs and arms.
What is a Thoracic Discectomy Process?

Thoracic discectomy is performed either through the anterior approach (front side) or posterolateral process (behind and to the side).  

Anterior Approach – This type of surgery is done in two ways:  

Open thoracotomy: Here, the herniated disc is accessed through the chest cavity and  

Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) – In VATS, several small incisions are made, involving a thoracoscope, a surgical tool with a tiny camera.   

When the outer fibers of the intervertebral disc are damaged, the soft inner material of the nucleus pulposus breaks down out of its normal space, resulting in a herniated disc in the thoracic spine. The nucleus pulposus material can move into the spinal canal if the annulus tears near the spinal canal. There is hardly any extra space around the spinal cord in the thoracic area. A herniated disc in the thoracic spine can be highly dangerous. In some instances, paralysis below the waist is the first sign of a herniated disc. Fortunately, herniated discs in the thoracic spine are not as prevalent as those in the lumbar spine. 

Contact Dr. Nitin Jagdhane, an experienced neurosurgeon and brain and spine specialist in Mumbai who will help you with the proper thoracic disc herniation treatment. 

Dr. Nitin Jagdhane is one of the best Neurosurgeon and Spine specialists for doing best thoracic disc herniation diagnosis and treatment in Mumbai, India. Get in touch with Dr. Nitin Jagdhane, brain and spine specialist in Mumbai, for the best results for your thoracic disc herniation treatment.

Exit mobile version