Thoracic disc herniation

The human spine is formed by individual vertebrae and connective tissue discs in between. The vertebrae form the spinal canal. There are seven cervical, twelve thoracic, and five lumbar vertebrae. The intervertebral discs are the link between the individual vertebral bodies.

The little joints that link the vertebrae together are known as facet joints. They help to stabilize the spine and, together with the intervertebral discs, allow a certain degree of mobility of the spinal cord. The spinal canal should be wide enough to allow nerve roots to float freely in cerebrospinal fluid. The front border of the spinal canal is built by the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs, the side by the intervertebral joints (facets) and back by the ligamentum flavum (yellow band) and vertebral arches. Discs consist of an outer fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus), which surrounds an inner gel-like center (nucleus pulposus). The spinal cord and nerve roots lie within the spinal canal. The spinal cord extends downwards approx. to the 1st lumbar vertebra. Below, only nerve roots are present in the spinal canal. At the level of the intervertebral disc the nerve roots pass through the neural root foramina to exit the spinal canal. The spinal cord and nerve roots conduct electric-like signals from the skin and joints to the brain, and process of movement is initiated from the brain to the muscles.

Disc herniation is a disease of the intervertebral discs - the connecting element between the individual vertebral bodies. The intervertebral disc consists of a coarse hard shell (fibrous ring) and a soft cloth inside. Together with small intervertebral joints and other connective tissue connections, the intervertebral discs provide the mobility of the spine and serve as shock absorbers to soften the impact of body movements.

When the hard shell of the disc (the fibrous ring) breaks, the soft interior comes out of it and enters the spinal canal or the nerve root canals. At this time, any incoming material in the intervertebral disc can press the nerve roots or the spinal cord. In most cases, the exact cause of disc herniation cannot be determined. Disc herniation is most often the result of aging. Factors increasing the risk of disc herniation are: 1) injury, 2) occupations requiring lifting, pushing and twisting and 3) hereditary.

Thoracic disc herniation is a disease of the intervertebral discs in the thoracic spine. Here we will explain how a thoracic disc herniation is formed, the most common symptoms, and how it is diagnosed and treated. Making the correct diagnosis and choosing the proper treatment are the most important goals in patients suffering from thoracic disc herniation. An interesting fact is that most thoracic disc herniations do not cause symptoms, and if they do cause, they can often be cured without surgery (e.g., physiotherapy, exercise, painkillers).

Acute compression of a thoracic nerve root

Acute compression of the thoracic spinal cord

Complete/partial paralysis and numbness of the feet Urinary incontinence or retention

Tingling, numbness or pain in the chest. The pain usually starts in the back.

Thoracic intervertebral disc herniations are treated either conservatively (non-surgical) or surgically. Most patients (80-90%) with acute pain only improve without surgery within 6 weeks.

Elective surgery should be considered when compression of a nerve root causes a significant muscle weakness (>72 hours) is present or the symptoms (e.g. pain) impair the patient’s quality of life and conservative treatment fails to achieve significant improvement within 6-8 weeks.

Emergency operation should be performed if acute (<72 hours) paralysis due to spinal cord compression occurs. In these cases, the best results are achieved if surgery is performed within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Emergency surgery should be performed if аcute (<72 hours) loss of strength in a single muscle group due to nerve root compression are present. In this case, it is advisable to perform the surgery within 72 hours of symptoms onset.

To release the compressed nerve roots and/or spinal cord

To preserve the protective function of the spine

To improve symptoms (e.g. pain reduction)

To stop the worsening of the symptoms

Posterior thoracic sequestrectomy/nucleotomy

Posterior-lateral thoracic sequestrectomy/nucleotomy

Anterior thoracic sequestrectomy/nucleotomy