Thoracic Radiculopathy Treatment in Plano, TX
Specialties
Find Lasting Pain Relief With Thoracic Radiculopathy Treatment in Plano, TX at Advanced Spine Center
When radicular pain in your middle pain is making your life difficult, you can rely on the Advanced Spine Center for thoracic radiculopathy treatment in Plano, TX. Don’t wait to seek the professional help you need to relieve nerve pressure in your spine.
Thoracic radiculopathy is an uncommon condition affecting the middle back. Nerve root compression more often happens in the upper or lower back. Prompt medical attention is necessary as soon as thoracic radiculopathy is diagnosed. Dr. Stephen Courtrney, MD, offers specialized spine care to residents of Plano, TX and the surrounding area. He personalizes his approach for every patient, working diligently to help them achieve both pain relief and long-term recovery.
If you’re experiencing unexplained back pain and other nerve-related symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact Advanced Spine Center. You can call (972) 499-5457 or contact us online to set up your appointment with a Plano, TX spine specialist.
What Is Thoracic Radiculopathy?
Your spinal cord is responsible for carrying messages to and from your brain. Nerves throughout your body meet the spinal cord running through your spinal canal at points between your bones. When these nerve roots become compressed, it is called radiculopathy. Compression causes pain and interrupts important nerve signals.
The most common locations for this condition include the lower spine (lumbar radiculopathy) or the upper spine (cervical radiculopathy). Nerve compression affecting the middle spine is called thoracic radiculopathy. According to studies on the National Library of Medicine, it is a rare and often overlooked spinal condition.
If you’re suffering from radicular pain, help is available near you. The Advanced Spine Center provides professional cervical, thoracic, and lumbar radiculopathy treatment in Plano, TX.
Thoracic Radiculopathy Symptoms
When something compresses nerve roots exiting your thoracic spinal column, you may feel burning or shooting pain. Sometimes, the pain may wrap around to the chest or rib cage or even expand into your upper back. Tingling and numbness are also common symptoms. Many patients experience muscle weakness or sensitivity in the affected areas. Pain and other symptoms may worsen with movement such as deep breathing, twisting, or bending.
What Causes Thoracic Radiculopathy?
Many conditions can lead to spinal nerve root compression, including injuries, spinal infections, and natural wear-and-tear. Advanced Spine Center’s Plano, TX spine specialists determine the cause of pressure through careful diagnosis.
Herniated Discs in Thoracic Spine
The intervertebral discs in your back act as shock absorbers and are crucial to your overall health. Disc herniation occurs when a tear in the outer material of the disc allows the inner material to leak out. Bulging discs happen due to wear-and-tear that causes the disc material to lose its form and bulge out. In both instances, the disc may press on nearby nerves, leading to burning pain, tingling, or numbness.
Fortunately, our team is experienced in herniated disc treatment in Plano, TX. We pinpoint the location of disc herniation and prepare a personalized treatment plan to address the situation.
Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are bony growths that develop due to wear and tear on the spine. When these growths occur on your spinal column, they narrow the available space that nerves have to move through pathways in and out of your spine. Advanced Spine Center can remove these growths to relieve pinched nerves.
Spinal Degeneration
Sometimes, radicular pain occurs due to the natural, age-related breakdown of discs and joints in the spine. Local residents can rely on our Plano, Texas spine surgeon for the following:
- Spondylosis treatment in Plano
- Spinal stenosis treatment in Plano
- Degenerative disc disease treatment in Plano
If you believe your radiculopathy symptoms are the result of degenerative conditions, don’t hesitate to call Advanced Spine Center.
Back Injuries
Trauma from accidents, falls, or repetitive strain can damage the spine and lead to radiculopathy. Nerve compression is especially likely when back injuries lead to herniated discs or inflammation. In some cases, pain is noticeable immediately after the injury occurs. Other times, symptoms develop slowly and gradually.
Diagnosing Thoracic Radiculopathy in Plano, TX
Physical examination and review of radiculopathy symptoms are the first steps to diagnosing radiculopathy. Doctors will note when pain accompanies certain movements. After a physical exam, the medical team will proceed with imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans, to get a close look at your spine. Once they identify the exact source of the pinched nerve, they can proceed with building a treatment plan.
Conservative Treatments To Help Reduce Pain Caused By Thoracic Radiculopathy
It is sometimes possible to treat radiculopathy without the need for spine surgery. The Advanced Spine Center team helps patients explore nonsurgical treatment options whenever possible. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants may address pain. Strengthening your muscles via physical therapy can allow you to carry your weight better, reducing pressure on your back. You may also attempt to make lifestyle modifications, such as limiting strenuous activity or maintaining a healthy weight. For persistent pain, we also offer spinal injection treatments.
One such treatment is an epidural steroid injection in Plano. This procedure involves injecting steroid medications and anesthetics either into the epidural space between the laminae and the next vertebrae or into the neural foramen. This reduces pain and inflammation.
A Plano, TX nerve root block treatment can be used to both temporarily relieve pain and diagnose the source of pain. Nerve blocks allow doctors to deliver anti-inflammatory drugs and local anesthetics directly to the affected nerve root. The medications lessen swelling and block pain signals.
Alternatively, we may recommend a facet joint injection in Plano, TX. During this procedure, doctors inject medicine into or around the facet joints, which appear on either side of your spine. Anesthesia numbs pain while anti-inflammatory steroids address swelling.
Surgical Treatment Options for Thoracic Radiculopathy at Advanced Spine Center
In severe cases of thoracic radiculopathy, surgical intervention may be necessary. Advanced Spine Center’s surgical treatments for thoracic radiculopathy include:
- Plano, TX Discectomy
- Plano, TX Foraminotomy
- Plano, TX Laminectomy
When the patient’s condition allows for it, our team opts for minimally invasive surgery. This allows us to relieve pressure while reducing the disruption to the surrounding tissues. Following surgery, it is important to follow your doctor’s orders to ensure optimal rehabilitation. Medicine and cold/hot packs may be used to regulate post-operative pain. Within about 4-6 weeks of the surgery, you should begin exercises guided by a physical therapist to regain mobility and strength.
How to Prevent Radiculopathy
Maintaining proper posture and spinal alignment is one of the best ways to protect yourself against radiculopathy. You can also keep your spine healthy and relieve pressure through regular exercise, healthy weight loss, and strengthening routines. If anything seems to be wrong with your spine, seek care right away. Early treatment increases your chances of recovering from various spinal conditions and reduces the risk of radiculopathy.
Thoracic Radiculopathy FAQs
Can physical therapy help relieve pain from thoracic radiculopathy?
Yes. Physical therapy helps reduce pain from thoracic radiculopathy by strengthening the surrounding muscles.
Is thoracic radiculopathy the same as a pinched nerve?
Yes, radiculopathy refers to nerve compression, which is the same as a pinched nerve.
Does thoracic radiculopathy cause chest pain?
Thoracic radiculopathy can cause radiating pain that reaches your chest.
How is thoracic radiculopathy different from cervical radiculopathy or lumbar radiculopathy?
Symptoms produced by radiculopathy vary according to location. Cervical radiculopathy happens in the cervical spine, leading to upper back and neck pain. Radiculopathy in the lumbar spine can impact the sciatic nerve, causing pain in the lower back and legs.
Contact Advanced Spine Center for Thoracic Radiculopathy Treatment in Plano, TX Today
When persistent symptoms cause you pain and discomfort, you can rely on the team at Advanced Spine Center. Our Plano, TX spine surgeon is committed to helping patients relieve pain and improve their quality of life. Don’t delay the care you need and risk suffering more long-term harm. The sooner you call our team, the sooner we can help you figure out the best option for treating thoracic radiculopathy.
Set up your appointment with Advanced Spine Center today by calling (972) 499-5457 or contacting us online.
