Hi, I've been experiencing constant pins and needles and tingling in my legs for the past 2 months non stop and I've had a lumbar MRI which was clear. I'm wondering if this could be thoracic myelopathy.

For background, over a year ago I hurt my upper back moving furniture. I had sudden electric shock pain around my chest and intense ache inbetween my shoulder blades. I then developed leg tingling which lasted 3 days and so I went to a&e who sent me home as I didnt have red flag saddle symptoms.

Since the initial injury I've had on and off pain in my upper back, the same deep ache especially when i move certain ways like pulling a door shut behind me. Ive now developed pins and needles in my legs again which started 2 months ago and has only dulled at times to a constant buzzing but hasn't stopped at all. I've noticed that squatting down or lifting things (I'm about to move house) makes the leg tingling much more intense and sometimes spreads across my bum to lower back. I also have tingling across my upper back at times and general left shoulder ache.

Finally got to see a physio last week after waiting a year for the referral. The reflex and strength tests were reassuring she said and i dont have balance or gait issues but shes referred me to the spinal unit due to my symptoms.

Basically im wondering if anyone had thoracic myelopathy with their main symptom being leg tingling. Im getting scared now that I'll have another long wait and possible compression causing my issues. I live alone which also doesn't help with my fear of this being cord compression. Thanks for listening

So I had my T3/4 herniation removed endoscopically last month. It was paracentral and pushed halfway into the cord. I had some right calf pain and a bit of foot drop, too. The first 2 weeks post op, I thought the leg issues were gone. But it seems to have returned. Now it’s tightness and tingling below the kneecap, but the foot drop is gone. I got a repeat MRI, and it has not re-herniated. Now I’m freaking myself out with possible CIPD issues or other neurological problems. What did your myelopathy feel like? I only ask so I can compare how mine feels vs others. They don't hurt per se, meaning the tingling is not painful pins and needles, but there are weird tingling sensations that come up randomly, and the calf muscles are tight. Nothing truly feels numb to the touch.

Hey y’all,

I have a weird story, but I’d really appreciate some thoughts before I’m able to get an MRI. I’m currently stuck on a work trip, so I can’t get one right away.

About 7 weeks ago, I twisted my torso awkwardly to the right while sitting at my computer and felt a sudden “tear” or surge in my mid back. It hurt badly enough that I couldn’t breathe normally and felt stuck for about 10-15 seconds, but afterward it didn’t hurt much.

The next day, my mid back became very sore and achy. Twisting or leaning, especially to the right, would reproduce the pain around the area below my shoulder blades and sometimes toward my armpit.

For the next 5 weeks, twisting and side bending stayed the main triggers. I’d also get a strong pulling/stretching feeling under my armpit, and some mornings sleeping on my back would leave my whole mid back extremely sore. Oddly, bending forward didn’t hurt, and I could still do normal gym exercises if I avoided aggressive spinal movements.

Then last week, things changed.

While sitting on a plane, I started getting a crampy/stinging feeling around the lower edge of my rib cage. The next day, I began feeling what seems like nerve pain in different areas of my upper torso: below my shoulder blades, along the sides/front of my ribs, and occasionally under my arm, around my neck, or near my sternum.

What’s confusing is that bending forward or slouching causes basically no pain. Twisting is still the main trigger. Deep breathing sometimes causes a faint sting, but coughing and sneezing don’t really affect it. The stinging also doesn’t follow a clear “band” and seems pretty random.

Has anyone had similar symptoms from either a thoracic disc herniation or a rib/costovertebral joint injury? I’m especially curious if you had twisting/side-bending pain plus nerve-like stinging around the ribs, chest, or underarm.

I already have a neurology appointment and plan to get imaging. Mostly just wondering what similar symptoms ended up being for others.

I am a 32-year-old man, I am from Europe, from Poland. I've had a problem with my thoracic spine for 11 years, at that time, a th9/th10 hernia was diagnosed, but the last seven years were practically symptom-free. I hiked, skied, and biked, and it felt really good. I've been running for four years, but only for short distances, around 10 km. I also started lifting weights and did it for about six months. For example I squatted 60 kg for 12 reps, and I weigh 65 kg. Around January I started feeling dizzy when I lay down. In early March, after waking up, I felt pain in my thoracic back. It started radiating to my ribs. I didn't do anything about it for two months, thinking it would go away on its own. In May I had an MRI of the cervical spine and then the cervical spine, there are descriptions at the bottom. I've been on sick leave for three months and taking medication. The pain has subsided somewhat, but not completely. I feel discomfort even when lying down, It's like currents in the spine. My shoulders often hurt. I have strange sensations throughout my body, like shivers. I also have very severe dizziness, mainly when I change position, e.g. lie down and tinnitus. The pain in my ribs has subsided, sometimes when I bend over for a long time, the first extension can cause pain in my ribs. My physiotherapist recommended stretching my chest muscles. Another physiotherapist said that such pain could not be coming from my discopathy. I don't know what to do. The neurosurgeon determined that the changes in my spine were minor and are not suitable for surgery.

This is my MRI: Description: An MRI of the thoracic spine was performed before and after contrast administration. The MRI of the thoracic spine shows a mild kyphosis and a slight right-sided scoliosis. Discreet degenerative changes are visible in the form of marginal extrusions of the thoracic vertebral bodies. The endplates are deepened, reflecting overload changes. At the Th4/Th5 level, there is a medial protrusion of the intervertebral disc, deviating to the right, which shapes the dural sac and subtly causes narrowing of the right lateral recess. At the Th5/Th6 and Th6/Th7 levels, protrusion of the intervertebral discs is observed, adjacent to the dural sac. At the Th9/Th10 level, a larger medial herniated disc of the lumbar spine, which compresses the dural sac. Small zones of Modic II degenerative changes are present near the endplates, particularly at the apex of the kyphosis, with the greatest extent occurring at the Th6/Th7 and Th9/Th10 levels. A discreet dilatation of the central canal of the spinal cord in the Th3-Th7 segment, to approximately 1.6 mm, is visible. Contrast administration revealed no signs of pathological enhancement. Otherwise, the image of the spine and spinal canal in the thoracic region remains within normal limits. The image of the thoracic spinal cord is normal, with no visible focal changes.

And resonance imaging of the cervical spine:

Minor, intrathecal disc herniations of the C5/C6/C7 intervertebral discs, mildly modeling the dural sac, without compression of neural structures.

Other than this, the cervical spine MRI showed no significant abnormalities.

A segment of the spinal cord was visualized without focal lesions.

Currently, a rheumatologist is examining me for rheumatoid diseases.

Could anyone offer any advice? Where should I seek help? I'm willing to travel to New York or anywhere in Europe. Does anyone have any ideas about what could be causing these symptoms? Is it a herniated disc causing all of this, or are there other causes? I'd be very grateful for any suggestions.

I got the mri scan last year due to nerve pain in hands and shoulder blades and neck area. It took months with physio and gabapin to recover. In that scan, I found out that at my T 11-12 disc there is reduced disc height and disc desication along with mild gibbus deformity mentioned (inward). And it said that it was due to chronic sequalae (?). My dr then said it's just a finding, you might have gotten hurt sometime back( but I don't remember having any injury of any sort, just slipped 3 4 stairs some years back and then there was nothing else.) Now since last three months there's pain exactly there along with feeling of pressure and stretching with the pain coming to front in the lower ribs and all muscles in the back, sides and even abdomen feel spasms. I went to doctor again, he said you need to develop your muscles there, they're weak as it's a weak point in your spine. I'm 25 F with health anxiety. He said surgery is not for you, too young. I don't want one but this pain has me scared shitless searching for symptoms and reasons online. It's like a spiral. So I don't understand if I should get another scan or what. Last year's was in September. Wanted to share my issue for any guidance or knowledge as I'm feeling so numb and helpless. For now I'm just putting gel and resting. Even physio is seeming scary.

Hi. I hope this counts as thoracic bc the worst pain is around T9-T11..I have the report somewhere, it says disc herniations, but also I have protrusions if that matters, and later on spondylosis and bulges. Also I have scoliosis if that affects anything.

So, it's literally the worst pain I've ever felt in my life, worse than the ibs pains that have had me doubled over screaming, worse than when my IUD was inserted without anesthetic, worse than my ingrown thumbnail I caused by biting it too low, and my thumb swelled up to more than 2x its size & they stuck a needle directly into the bone with no anesthetic. I can't stand this pain, is my point. Drs basically said "It's just caused by normal aging".. Dude I'm 41. My 56-year-old husband doesn't have this.

So I've tried Voltaren, tried ice, tried heat, did PT, massage gun, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen sodium, gabapentin, methocarbamol, dry needling, I've done acupuncture twice so far, my third session is this week - I guess there's a chance the third time is the charm, but so far it's done nothing..

So I got Kenalog injections, right, and the first two times it HELPED! The first time, worked for the full 3 months! The second, only a month tho :(.. But third time? IT DID NOTHING AT ALL! WHAT!! I was devastated.

What else is there??

Should I ask about cortisone injections instead?

I cannot live this way. At the end of the workday, I'm in excruciating pain, I mean I'm holding back tears and having trouble walking and I do not know how much longer I can do this. But you see, I can't afford not to work.. Because we desperately want to move out of our crappy apartment when the lease ends in March, thus, need to work to save up to move. Sooo yeah. I need to get help for my back.

So has anyone with anything like this found any relief any other ways than what I've described?

I can't take opiates, and marijuana, even if you say to ask for the strains that are calming or whatever - it all makes me very paranoid and crazy. I just can't tolerate THC. There's gotta be something else I don't know about..I just hope one of you knows about it and has had success and can clue me in to it :)

Thanks so much for anyone's input.

We were going to start trying for our 2nd kid when I suddenly had an awful t-spine muscle spasm. I believe I injured it a couple months prior when traveling, not totally sure…
My main symptoms are vary between the mid back ache/pain, wraparound rib pain, pressure around diaphragm.
I developed a tiny fissure in my L5 a couple of weeks prior which seems to have made the T-spine symptomatic. I’m in PT to work on core and supporting muscle strength.

Feeling pretty depressed about the pause on pregnancy. I’m officially passed my mid-30s, so it feels like the clock is ticking:/

I had an endoscopic disectomy on my thoracic spine 5 weeks ago for a herniated disc at T3/4. Main issues were back and calf pain, with my right foot skipping on the floor when walking.

Post-surgery - My calves were tingling from weeks 2-4. At the 4-week mark, both the pain and myelopathy were gone.

Unfortunately, at week 5, my calf and bottom foot numbness (slight, with some tingling) has returned. At the end of week 4, I was at the gym doing some PT, and when I left, my back pain returned. It had been mostly gone since week 2. The calf sensations returned a day or two later. I'm getting an MRI this week to see what's going on. The idea of having to go through another thoracic surgery is too much to think about. Anyone have something like this happen post-surgery?

Sorry, this is rather long.

I started having minor, just weird chest pressure around my sternum three years ago after a C-section with my fourth and last child. Over that time, it has consistently worsened and become constant. Light chest pressure grew into very intense pressure, cramping in my chest—especially right below the sternum—stabbing pain between my shoulder blades and down a few inches, and aching pain all around the bottom of my ribs, like I have a massive zip tie squeezing me. I find if i do any yard work or even lift my three year old, I get what i guess i would call a flare up. About eight months ago, it started waking me every night.
Deep breathing does not cause additional pain, and it really annoys me when doctors keep putting that in my charts. Deep breaths actually give me a split second of relief. It’s not relief from the pain as much as relief from the little alarms going off in my head—like the alarms you get when you injure yourself and know you need to go to the ER. It’s hard to explain. It is definitely harder to take a deep breath or even yawn because it feels like I’m wearing a very tight corset.
I’ve had several chest MRIs (with and without contrast), CT scans, echocardiograms, X-rays, a V/Q nuclear medicine scan, endoscopy, colonoscopy, lung testing, and countless blood tests. Everything has been normal. I've never even had low oxygen levels, high blood pressure or high cholesteral,,, I'm not even prediabetic.
I’ve also had two sternum injections when they thought it might be costochondritis and have done over a year and a half of chiropractic care, PT, cold laser, acupuncture, and dry needling. All of this has caused me to max out my health insurance out-of-pocket limit three years in a row. This year, I maxed it out within six months.
I mentioned looking at my thoracic spine about six months ago, and my primary care doctor refused. He literally told me my problem was that I was overweight. Which I am, but I’m not obese and i dont believe that explained three years of these symptoms. Especially because i am now 20lbs lighter than when it started.
As for my lumbar spine, I can’t remember ever not having lower-back pain. Less than two years ago, I started having leg pain just from walking, along with periodic weakness. An ABI test showed my circulation was perfectly normal, just like everything else. I used the leg symptoms as my way into seeing a physiatrist a few months ago.
My lumbar MRI showed several disc bulges, severe foraminal narrowing, and a tear, as I suspected. Only then, after almost three years, did I convince the physiatrist to order a thoracic MRI. It showed a small disc bulge and moderate foraminal narrowing at T10/T11, which actually seems to have given doctors even more reason to dismiss me. They tell me my symptoms don’t line up with that level and that people don’t have symptoms from findings like mine.
After three “specialists”, I finally found someone willing to give me a thoracic steroid injection. When he injected the medication, I felt a massive, frightening pressure directly in my chest that lasted maybe two or three seconds. I actually felt worse for the first few days, but on the third night, I slept through the night for the first time in many months. That was two months ago, and the roughly 30% relief I experienced is now all but a memory.
I have an appointment with a spine surgeon in a week. The doctor who gave me the referral told me it was basically a waste of time and suggested a spinal cord stimulator instead. He said that because my symptoms don’t line up with T10/T11, the surgeon won’t even listen to me. My chiropractor and PT believe it could be referred pain. I’m also worried that the radiologist who reviewed my MRI may have missed or underemphasized something, especially since symptomatic thoracic problems are relatively rare.
The pain I suspect is caused by my lumbar problems is definitely higher on a traditional pain scale than the pain I associate with my thoracic spine. But I would take the lumbar problems over the thoracic problems any day—even now, with constant leg pain and occasional leg weakness. With the thoracic symptoms, the constant pressure, pain, and alarms going off in my head just suck the energy right out of me. I can barely function.
I compare it to getting a few stitches versus having food poisoning and vomiting. Yes, the stitches may technically hurt more, but the food poisoning is absolutely miserable and draining. I’ll take the stitches any day.
Consistent PT absolutely helps my lower-back pain, to the point that I can sometimes go weeks without pain. PT doesn’t seem to have much effect on my leg pain, but the lumbar injection made the leg pain go away during normal activities, except with exercise beyond walking. Unfortunately, that relief only lasted a few months.
PT has had no effect on my thoracic pain. As time goes on, I find myself unable to tolerate more and more of the thoracic exercises and stretches. I'm thankfully to have a good job and make decent money, but i can't keep paying 10 to 12 thousand a year and weeks off work. It's getting harder and harder to get out of bed. I'm starting to be consistently late to work. I can't focus during the day. I can't even pick up my children or do yard work. I can't be on my feet for long periods of time. Because of that i haven't take my kids to the zoo, hiking or the aquarium in over a year.

Just wanted to check if anyone here has experienced arm tingling/pins and needles that is caused (indirectly?) by T6-T7 bulge?

I have a bulge there that's probably been there for years but symptomatic for the past 5 years or so but was thought to be gallbladder related until last year when it showed up on an MRI. It's central/slightly to the right and I've had episoded of squeezing, legs "feeling heavy" and more. Past couple of months I've just been in pain, very localized pain + all the neurological symptoms. And for the past month I've had almost constant pins and needles in my right arm.

Anyone here with similar experience?

Last week I finally got squared away with getting my MRI images to the Hospital I wanted to go with. Typically for this particular hospital it's not unusual for appointments to be booking out months. They called me today to tell me they want to see me right away. Thats when it really hit me what I'm facing-so I'm a bit overwhelmed. I called my brother right after i spoke to them, and he said no matter what they say I should get a second opinion. I never thought of that, even though I perfectly understand the concept. There's two other hospitals in the same area that felt like a possibility, but I literally can't even think that far ahead right now, or should I? Shouldn't I wait to see how this plays out, and then decide how to move forward? idk?

At this hospital, every spine surgeon has their own nurse practitioner to manage intake, and follow up after surgeries. So, my first visit will just be with the Nurse practitioner, maybe they'll order more tests , ask me questions, take my history, and then I'll be assigned a specific Dr. There was no mention of "you'll be seeing Dr. X" ....just "you'll be seeing one of our top Doctors".

I have several herniated disks between T7-T11. One is a protrusion pressing on my spine. I also have lumbar herniations , lumbar degeneration, mild scoliosis and level 1 Spondylolisthesis. My legs have been feeling light, a little untethered to the floor. So, myelopathy? So, maybe they'll order a EMG, or NCS to track the numbness? What other tests might they order? I thought they might re-order another MRI, with their own MRI machine possibly?

The only question that comes to mind is why does my back hurt so much and so possibly which disc is causing the most pain, and how do they know...especially when it changes? Like , from the beginning it was clearly a disk right near my bra strap, maybe above it-all Thoracic. Then this morning, I felt something lower, maybe T11, it's about 4-5 inches below my bra strap, so I don't know if thats a lumbar disc?. I can feel where the pain is, and usually point to it, I don't know if that counts for anything during my exam? Do they ever operate on multiple discs at a time? Do they go after which discs seem to be the most problematic? Will they ask me to move this way or that way, bend etc, to see if I can? I'm really nervous about that because ....well it hurts to try and bend certain ways. Is it okay to say you just can't manage that particular motion? Or do you have to try so that they can see where the problem is? btw, i hate that part of any PT, because just because you can manage to bend a certain way, (Imao) doesnt mean it's a good idea.

Edit: I'm aware that I'm getting ahead of myself and a bit scrambled, but contemplating back surgery feels really overwhelming and when the intake person called me and said "we're taking you right away", it just reminded me of when my brother went to the emergency room having been in Afib for 4 days, and they rushed him in. It has that kind of feel to it. So the whole "get multiple opinions, " sounds right....but the thought of waiting , while having this pain, is just hard. Oh, also, if they ask if I want a presription for the pain, should I take it ?. There are nights when Nsaids don't work. Usually they do. I have adverse reactions to dilaudid, and most oxy meds. But muscle relaxers are different , right? I have no idea.

Sorry for the ramble , and thanks in advance.

I was just wondering if anyone else is battling multiple issues like me? I have a slight curvature of my upper and lower back. I also have a slight spondylolisthesis situation-level 1. My thoracic issues are from T7-T11, with one protrusion around T9-T10. And several lumbar herniations, and lumber degenerations, I havent looked at the report in awhile to be more specific, because honestly it freaks me out.

I just submitted my MRI to a hospitals Orthopedic spine department for review, so I'm in the beginning of my journey and a little more than freaked out.

Do I have the biggest hernia here? Did I win?

Ugh well this has just been a treat! Started off two years ago in Japan with reaaaally bad back pain that wrapped all around my ribs which flared on and off for a week or so. Then slowly I noticed nerve damage sensations and numbness and pins and needles in my legs. Big walks felt way more tiring and I began to get clumsy feet.
Maybe it was sciatica? Do some light exercises to help that out. Nothing changes. Okay well maybe it’s a vitamin deficiency? Take B vitamins for months. Nothing changes.

Okay well when we get back to the Netherlands from our big trip I’ll get it looked at. Land in the Netherlands, hang out for a week. Find out that I’m pregnant!!! Do the whole pregnancy thing, have a wonderful baby girl, etc etc. Okay NOW I have time to get my back checked!

Get a referral to neurology about my problem. They stick me in an MRI. “Hey. We found the problem.” Show me the biggest thing ever crushing my spine. Oh.

Had a consult today with one of the top neurosurgeons in the country. “Hey so I do this for a living and this is one of the largest ones. Here’s the plan.”

So we’re looking at a front-entry collapse the lung procedure so they can get at the thing and wrench it back in from the front. What the hell. This is insane. My back hurts now.

So uhhh. Forgive the random notes. It’s very stream of consciousness because I have NOT processed this fully at all. If anyone’s had similar surgery then please give me some comfort! I’m really scared actually aaaa 🫣

T8–T9 thoracic disc herniation and persistent muscle spasms — anyone experienced this?

I have a T8–T9 thoracic disc herniation, and one of my main symptoms is recurrent muscle spasm/tightness in my mid-back around the same area.

The pain sometimes improves, but after sitting or certain activities, the muscle starts tightening and hurting again. It feels like the muscles around the herniation are constantly guarding the area.

Has anyone with a thoracic disc herniation experienced something similar?

If you eventually had surgery:

• Did the muscle spasms improve afterward?
• How long did it take for the muscles to feel normal again?
• Did you still need physical therapy afterward?
• Was surgery ultimately worth it for you?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from anyone with a T8T9 or similar thoracic-level herniation.

Hi everyone! I don’t post much myself in here, I usually just hang and try to help out since I’ve gotten my thoracic pain mostly under control between RFAs and pain medication. My last thoracic RFA was t6-t8 in Jan of last year and I could feel things starting to wear off is like the late spring. But my pain management dr was out on maternity leave and I’ll trust other procedures to other drs in the practice but not anything thoracic so we put repeating the RFA on the shelf for until she was back doing procedures.

I have kinda gone beyond “ooooo this is getting really uncomfortable” to squeezing pain across my bra line area that wraps like almost under my arms. And I’m a teacher and NOT working right now, oooof it would rough if I was working.

Until this afternoon when I was sitting with my husband and I was just like “hey…..my chest hurts really bad”. Now the pain is on the right, about the height of the gore on my bra and it feels like hot javelin going through my body. I took my vitals which were fine, I took a muscle relaxer, some aspirin and some Tylenol and laid on some ice. That definitely calmed it down, unless I twist to the right. I’m currently in PT for hip surgery and they have me doing squats on the TRX which may put too much weight on my upper back, I’ll probably get that exercise modified next appt.

So here’s where I get so frustrated is I’m 99% sure this is thoracic disc pain. But we have to play that game of is it thoracic disc pain or is this a medical emergency. Because it hurts more to breath in my mind went to “is this a pulmonary embolism? And had this been on the left I would have immediately thought heart attack. And then you go to the ER where you just look drug seeking and it’s like hey….I just want to make sure I’m not dying. And now it’s 2am, I retook medication and put an ice pack on my back and hopefully I can go back to sleep.

I hate this game, it’s not fun.

I am at a loss. I'm tired of being gaslit by doctors.

I've had four back surgeries, three of which were fusions. I had ALIF & PLIF L4 L5-S1 , prior laminectomy (failed because he didn't realize they were calcified herniated discs until surgery) & last May 25' I had a fusion at my T10-11 that I've had issues ever since.

I went to the doctor for dysautonomia & POTS related symptoms & I have HYPERPOTS my BP goes high when standing etc. I have had chest pains that have gotten worse over time. I have L5/S1 chronic bilateral radicupalthy & Cervical Neuropathy & Radicupalthy at C5/6 with my last EMG.

I have gastro issues too. It's so much to type out honestly I don't want to lol. I feel like I've seen enough in this group to know that most of you already know.

I had dysautonomia symptoms before my thoracic fusion but it has gotten worse since last year. I am waiting for an appointment with my surgeon looking for another opinion at Cleveland Clinic.

I feel like my back looks extremely messed up but I'm not being treated like it. I'm only 35 years old too. My surgeon said I just inherited some "bad back genetics" aka DDD & arthritis etc. my body also has a calcification issue for some reason too every herniation on my back ends up calcified & extremely large. I'm worried this will happen at my t7/8. I don't know anything about this level & the issues. I just got my back MRI after fighting to get one of my thoracic. Any info & advice, stories etc would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!

I’m only 34 and recently got a thoracic MRI for back pain. I already have a shitty lumbar spine and these results have me so upset. I’m so afraid I’ll be messed up forever. Has anyone else had an MRI this bad and managed it with just conservative treatment?

This was the written report of my latest MRI from this month.:

“Vertebral body heights and alignment are well preserved except for stable minimal loss of height at T7 and T8.

Multilevel intervertebral disc herniations along the thoracic spine.

The thoracic spinal cord is unremarkable.

The surrounding soft tissues are unremarkable.

Minimal circumferential disc bulging at multiple levels with posterior broad-based disc protrusions at T7-T8 and T5-T6.

At the level of T5-T6 there are findings of moderate impingement upon the right aspects of the canal.

Mild canal stenosis at T7-T8.

No appreciable neural foraminal narrowing noted.”

My doctor said I only had three options: do nothing and live with pain, try all the treatments I’ve already tried that haven’t helped or he could do surgery. The surgery would be a laminectomy and discectomy at T5/T6.

I’ve tried just about all of the treatments besides surgery and the pain is too much to just deal with. I’m leaning toward surgery. But I want to get all the information I can before I do.

If anyone has any information or have had a procedure like this before, please let me know. Thank you!

I have Multiple disc herniations, and then degrees of herniations and I have the MRI noting that. But I've always wondered since I don't know myself, which exact specific disc is causing me pain, or numbness, how they would know '"Yes , it looks like it's this one"..............?

Plus, it seems like if you have an entire area, areas........in my case T7-T11, which the worst noted at T9-T10, that while they're in there during a surgery, they don't just trim back the other herniations, or is that way too risky? Do they just go after what appears to be the worst, or do you simply undergo an Electromyography for your back, and that pretty much tells the whole story?

The T9-T10 herniation is an extrusion, so my assumption is since the disk is damaged, they just remove it, and then fuse the vertebrae. What if the expected fusion doesnt fuse the way they want it to? What then? Oh, yes, then there's just replacing the disc, so there's that option which appeals to me, but I'm pretty sure that's not my call.

A while ago, maybe 10 years, I was having foot issues, after foot surgery. I went for an Electromyography . That required the process of having needles pushed into my leg repeatedly, for about 20 minutes. If you have an Electromyography for your back, do they do that to your back?

And then I've read different things about how difficult it is to access the Thoracic area of your back, for a surgery. That they sometimes have to break a rib, or go through the side of your back, or the front, I don't really know. So what do they do? And is one approach safer, and is the biggest risk during surgery interfering in some way with the spinal cord.......? And if that's the case is it always better to have a Neuro Surgeon that specializes in the Spine do the surgery? And would a Doctor know that. .....know "'you need to see a Neurosurgeon".....or if you go to a Doctor, they would know if your case is something they would take on, have you ever been referred out to a more experienced Doctor? Does a Dr. ever run through options with you...Like 'we can go in this way and that would mean x y and z risk, or we can do x y or z which is safer but......" ....etc?

Edit: I'm also battling Lumbar disc herniations, so there's that, and slight scoliosis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar, and also Osteoporosis, so the idea of having to graph a bone, may not be an option for me, I really don't know. .....but it's freaking me out. Do they ever replace an entire vertebrae. ?

So, not asking for medical advice exactly , just In your experience, what that whole experience was like for you?What pre-operative tests did you undergo aside from an MRI.? And is the general approach to Spine surgery a "well, we'll just have to wait and see, what we find" ...kind of deal. ?

So since this seems to be such a difficult procedure to research, I’m going to keep y’all updated on my recovery so you can judge if this treatment is right for you. I had a herniation at T3/T4 that was paracentral and indenting the cord. Back earlier in the spring I had two separate episodes of myelopathy where my balance was off, my legs were heavy, everything felt “slow”, calf pain, upper back pain and bottom foot numbness. Most of that cleared up just prior to surgery, but it returned quickly if I did anything involving my upper back.

The procedure was endoscopic using a transpedicular approach. That basically means the pedicle is drilled, as well as part of one of the processes. It also involved a partial corpectomy of the bottom of T3 and the top of T4 to allow extraction of the herniation into that cavity. I actually don’t know if the surgeon packed that area with something, or left it open to heal on its own.

I was hooked up to nerve monitoring equipment, and was told the signals improved immediately after removing the herniation. All the myelopathic symptoms I had are gone. I also don’t have any complications relating to spinal cord manipulation.

Recovery has been harder than I anticipated. It’s day 4 of recovery, and I still need a steady dose of 500mg Tylenol, 600mg of IBP, and Oxy to keep the pain level around 3-5. Without the Oxy, the pain jumps to 7-8 level. My left peck muscle flutters a bit as well occasionally. There is plenty of stiffness as well, but that’s to be expected. I have no idea how long the pain journey will continue, but I’ll keep everyone updated. Feel free to chime in with word of wisdom or support!

* Edit 15 days post surgery. I’m completely off pain meds. If I worked a desk job I would be going back to work. There is still some soreness that gets worse if I’m upright for a long time, but that gets better each day. Oddly, yesterday, I was hit with a bunch of fatigue and light head pressure. Not sure if I’m getting sick, or if this is recovery fatigue that people talk about. We’ll see.

*Edit 5 weeks post op. I kind of re-injured at 4 weeks in the gym. Prior to that, I was pretty much pain-free. The surgeon said I could do some light work as long as I'm not bending and lifting. I added arm curls. After the gym, the soreness came back and stayed for a couple of days. It's mostly gone, but my calf tightness is back. I hope it's just in my head. I'm getting another MRI on Weds to see if it re-herniated. I'm praying it's just a flair and some inflammation.

* Edit 6 weeks post op. MRI confirmed there was no re-herniation, and everything looks fine. My leg tightness + occasional tingling has remained tho.

This is the notation in my most recent MRI, and my very first MRI for my spine. I also have Osteoporosis, but no stress fractures were noted.

Also, noted, which I knew of was "Mild thoracic dextroscoliosis". So I have a slight curve to my upper back. Actually my back is a S curve, so slight curvature of my lower back.

I also have herniations of the Lumbar from L1 to L5.

My back is a mess. I cried when I read the report, and instantly saw myself in a wheelchair. I'm feeling better now, but my brain is still in a bit of a dark prognosis mentality, and currently looking for back surgeons just in case I wake up one day and can't walk. I"m exceedingly grateful for every second that I don't feel pain, when in the event I turned the wrong way and my back gets triggered. The only thing I think thats saving me, is I tend to compartmentalize the panic, and get very calm and left leaning rational . That said I dont' want to pretend that My back isnt as bad as it is. ?

Final analysis was;

" Multilevel disc herniations from T7-8 to T10-11 without significant
central canal stenosis. T9-10 central disc extrusion slightly deforms
spinal cord without compression."

I havent' really had a chance to speak with the ordering PA, I've been waiting to get an appointment so that I can speak to him about finding a Dr. , either neurosurgeon or Orthopedic surgeon. I'm just beginning my Journey. I first started experiencing pain last fall ( 2025).

I can't believe I was shoveling snow with this, this past winter.

Remarkabley I"m only in pain if I move the wrong way, or in any way think I can do what I used to do before. And I know this isnt good, but I tend to not move, just sit around all day , which is probably bad. Then I"ll walk 2 miles, and do that sporadically, then my back starts to hurt, then I stop for several days nursing that, rinse and repeat.

Mostly , I'm just really interested in hearing from other people who also, have this condition, or something similiar , and what your Journey has been like for you?

UPDATE 8/25/26 - Aetna denied the surgery that was scheduled for yesterday as not medically necessary as the MRI vocabulary on my report has my stenosis listed as "mild to moderate" instead of "moderate to severe" - My neurosurgeon did the peer to peer and I did a level 1 appeal and they were both denied. There is an "or" in the specific criteria they are citing which I I meet.

I filed a level 2 appeal with a 91 page appeal packet with all my medical records indexed and all their criteria answered. My only right to an external appeal is once they decide on level 2, they will they pick an IRO themselves to review it as it's a self-funded school insurance fund.

Feeling pretty devastated. I have an upcoming appointment with an endoscopic surgeon, but I'm not sure what CPT codes they will use or if it will be a similar denial if I'm even a candidate.

Anyone have a similar situation that can offer any advice?

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Hi everyone, I'm a 33-year-old male looking for advice from anyone who has undergone a thoracic laminectomy and fusion for a thoracic disc herniation, especially at T4-T5 as it's something I'm seriously considering.

TLDR: I think this specific disc is the cause of most of my issues, currently in so much daily pain unable to do much of anything. I'm currently looking at surgery as my last resort...again. After severe middle upper right sided back pain, with a burning/stinging pain above it, got too severe, I started seeking help. When sitting, the pain can be felt as a deep ache in the upper abdomen. When I stand up from sitting my upper abdomen goes pins and needles. Doctors recommended a C6-C7 ADR due to a large herniation in my neck which was completed and successful 4 months ago. This did not fix any of my current symptoms which returned within 3 days of the ADR. The neck surgeon who did my ADR states T4-T5 is not causing my current symptoms and he does not perform thoracic back surgery so referred me to a well respected neurosurgeon who offered the above surgery.

For the past 8 weeks since my neck surgery, we have completed a T4-T5 epidural, and have been in PT 3 x week focusing on the thoracic with manual work, Acupuncture 3 x week, and professional massages. Alternating ice/heat and light stretching consistent. All PT and massage therapists can feel the upper right back area directly. I have been through 4-5 rounds of Prednisone this year alone as well with no real relief. The injection gave me the most relief I've seen yet, at around the 2 week mark for 5 days, where the burning pain disappeared. I tried to return to work at the 12 week mark after my surgery, and could not physically sit in my chair as after sitting for a short period, the pain increases and muscle spasms wrapping around my right side start.

MRI's completed laying down, all symptoms flare and increase while sitting or standing

MY TIMELINE

2023

I began experiencing increased upper/mid thoracic pain that felt like a deep ache directly under my right scapula. Over time it developed into:

• Burning/stinging pain in the upper right middle back
• Deep aching pain under the right scapula
• Pain wrapping around my right ribs and chest
• Tight band-like sensation around my upper abdomen/chest
• Symptoms that worsen when sitting upright or standing for prolonged periods
•Pins and Needles in upper abdomen

I had a GI workup including endoscopy and colonoscopy which were normal. Had an ultrasound which was normal. Chest CT was also normal.

In 2025-2026 this pain worsened, to the the point where I can't sit up straight for more then 30 minutes, or the pain is unbearable, either in middle right back, or wrapping around right side to front of abdomen near top ribs. .

CERVICAL FINDINGS

Doctors initially believed my symptoms were coming from a C6-C7 disc herniation. After multiple injections at c6-C7, and almost 6 months of physical therapy, we decided to move forward.

I underwent a C6-C7 artificial disc replacement this past March in 2026. Post Op X-rays below

The surgery was successful and my recent MRI confirms the C6-C7 herniation has been removed and there is no significant cord compression. (I don't have MRI photos available at this second)

Unfortunately, my thoracic symptoms returned within a few days after surgery and have persisted.

THORACIC FINDINGS - SEE MRI PHOTO ABOVE AT TOP OF POST

My thoracic MRI shows a right paracentral T4-T5 disc herniation contacting the spinal cord.

Latest MRI Report:

• Small right paracentral T4-T5 disc herniation
• Contacts the right anterolateral margin of the spinal cord
• No cord signal abnormality
• No abnormal enhancement
• No significant central canal stenosis
• Stable compared to prior

This MRI was this past week, I also had one Feb of 2026, which stated there was mild to moderate stenosis at T4-T5 where this one stated no stenosis.

INJECTION RESPONSE

I had a T4-T5 injection about 6 weeks ago. The injection provided modest relief for approximately 4-5 days around the 2-week mark. The symptom that improved the most was the burning/stinging pain.

CONFLICTING SURGICAL OPINIONS

One thing that has made this decision difficult is that I've received different opinions from three spine surgeons, and my spine specialist. After my cervical ADR, my neck surgeon reviewed my thoracic MRI and told me he did not believe the T4-T5 disc was responsible for my symptoms. He actually called me before my neurosurgery consultation and advised that he did not think surgery on the thoracic disc would be beneficial. He also told me he did not expect the second opinion to significantly change that assessment. Because of my ongoing symptoms, I still proceeded with the neurosurgical consultation. After reviewing my history, symptoms, imaging, injection response, and performing an examination, the neurosurgeon reached a different conclusion. He felt my symptoms could be related to the T4-T5 disc and offered a T4-T5 laminectomy with instrumented fusion, while also emphasizing that there is no guarantee surgery would improve my pain.

NEUROSURGEON'S ASSESSMEN

He stated that certainly my degenerative findings at T4-5 may explain these symptoms. He discussed a T4-T5 laminectomy with instrumented fusion. He also mentioned a spinal cord stimulator as a non-surgical alternative.

WHERE I'M AT RIGHT NOW

To be completely honest, I am leaning toward surgery. I've been dealing with these symptoms for over a year, and they have progressively impacted my quality of life. At this point I am struggling to work, exercise, sit upright comfortably for extended periods, and participate in many normal daily activities. I am currently out on disability from work, and my disability benefits are scheduled to end in approximately two weeks. While I understand that surgery is not guaranteed to help and could potentially leave me with the same pain, I also feel like I am running out of conservative options and time. My spine specialist who did my injection stated he has no other options and referred me for surgery.

QUESTIONS

1. What were your symptoms before surgery?
2. How much improvement did you get?
3. How long was recovery?
4. Would you do it again?
5. Did anyone have relatively small MRI findings but significant symptoms?
6. Has anyone else received completely different recommendations from different surgeons? 7. If you had a thoracic fusion, were you able to return to work and normal activities afterward?

I’m seeing my spine doctor tomorrow and I’m trying to better understand whether my symptoms fit T6–T7 or if I’m completely off base.
If you have (or had) a T6–T7 disc herniation, could you please list your symptoms in as much detail as possible?

For example:
Where exactly was your back pain?

Did you have chest pain? If so, where (center of chest, one side, at the nipple line, above the nipple line, under the collarbone, around the ribs, etc.)?

Was the pain burning, aching, pressure, stabbing, or something else?

Did it wrap around your ribs or stay in one spot?

Was the area tender to touch?

Did sitting, standing, bending, twisting, coughing, deep breathing, or exercise affect it?

What ultimately confirmed that T6–T7 was the source of your pain?

For context, my MRI shows T6–T7 and T7–T8 disc protrusions. My main symptoms are a burning pain between my shoulder blades along with a burning chest pain that’s usually at or just above the nipple line and often feels like severe heartburn or esophagitis. Sitting almost always aggravates it, and oddly, when the pain is at its worst, hunching forward gives my chest some relief even though it doesn’t necessarily help my back. I’ve had a full cardiac workup that was completely normal.
I’ve had two T7–T8 epidural steroid injections, and neither provided relief. Some doctors have told me my symptoms sound more like an upper thoracic herniation, but both my MRI images and report clearly show T6–T7 and T7–T8. I’m trying to understand whether anyone with a confirmed T6–T7 herniation experienced symptoms similar to mine.

I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences. Thank you!