Thoracic Myelopathy: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

by IndoSpine Hospital Best Spine Hospital = IndoSpine Hospital

Medical conditions concerning the spine are of different types and varying severity, out of which most are unknown to the public. One such condition is thoracic myelopathy, and this article explains it briefly.

What is Thoracic Myelopathy?

Thoracic myelopathy is a condition resulting from a severe compression in the spine’s thoracic region. The compression is generally because of spinal trauma, bone spurs, infections, tumors, and herniated or bulging disks, which leads to extreme discomfort and pain.

What are the Causes of Thoracic Myelopathy?

The degeneration and compression of the spinal cord and root develop from several conditions:

Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis of the spine
Central disk herniations
Congenital disorders
Spinal stenosis
Spinal infection, radiation therapy, neurological disorders, inflammatory disease
Hernias, hematomas, spinal tumors, including bone cancer

What are the Symptoms of Thoracic Myelopathy?

Generally, spinal cord compression or trauma leads to loss of sensation and function, pain, or discomfort around the thoracic region. Depending on the condition’s severity, the symptoms can also include:

Abnormal or increased reflexes in the extremities
Difficulty in doing common activities like writing or buttoning a shirt
Difficulty in walking
Numbness, weakness, or tingling
Pain in the arms, legs, lower back, and neck
Trouble balancing and coordinating

How is Thoracic Myelopathy Diagnosed?

Thoracic myelopathy is an uncommon condition, and its diagnosis is crucial for the appropriate treatment. The spine experts will look at your medical history for the exact diagnosis and suggest some neurological and physical examinations.

With the help of neurological examination, spine experts can check for neurological injury, weakened muscles, and reflexes. The doctor might suggest some of the tests mentioned below to have a detailed view of the spinal canal and spine. They are:

MRI Scan
X-ray
Myelography
Electrical tests like electromyogram or somatosensory evoked potentials

What are the Treatment Options for Thoracic Myelopathy?

The thoracic myelopathy treatment depends primarily on the cause and severity of it. However, the available options are:

Non-Surgical Treatment

Doctors generally recommend non-surgical treatment to treat early-stage thoracic myelopathy. It can include medications, physiotherapy, and the brain to relieve pain and discomfort. This treatment approach is not suitable for treating compression.

Surgical Treatment

Spine surgeons perform thoracic spine decompression surgery to treat compression. The decompression surgery relieves nerve root and spinal cord pressure, easing discomfort and pain. Thoracic herniated disk surgery is performed to treat bone spurs or herniated discs pressing the spinal cord.

Laminoplasty surgery is recommended for severe thoracic myelopathy due to the narrowing of the spinal canal. Spinal fusion and decompression are options for those who cannot undergo laminoplasty. Doctors might recommend minimally invasive spine surgeries for quick recovery and less risk.

Wrapping Up

Thoracic myelopathy is a condition affecting the normal functioning of your spine. Even though you cannot completely prevent the condition, there are ways you can care for your spine and strengthen it. It includes lifting heavy objects safely, maintaining a healthy weight, strengthening the abdomen and back core muscles, and quitting smoking.

A healthy spine is very important for a quality life, and if you are in doubt about your spine health, visit a spine specialist in Ahmedabad.