What does thoracic spondylosis mean?
Causes, symptoms, and treatment
What is spondylosis?
Spondylosis is a degenerative process that affects the vertebral discs of the spine. It is a
condition that commonly occurs with age as the bones progressively wear down from
prolonged use, leading to bone spur (osteophyte) formation. Spondylosis is a blanket term
used to describe general deterioration in the spine. The spine generally comprises three
regions involved in back pain: the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae.
More than 80 percent of people over the age of 40 display evidence of spondylosis on X-ray
studies. It is believed that most cases are related to genetic predisposition and injury history.
What is thoracic spondylosis?
Since spondylosis is a broad term, you may be wondering: what is thoracic spondylosis? A
basic thoracic spondylosis definition is that it’s a condition that can lead to narrowing of the
spinal canal in the upper and mid-back, resulting in the compression of the spinal cord and
nerve roots. Long term, this compression can result in damage to these structures, causing
symptoms such as weakness and numbness in the upper extremities, impaired walking, and
even pain that radiates to the arm.
Back pain is one of the most common types of pain people suffer from as they get older. This
is often due to the natural deterioration of the spinal bones as a result of age or normal wear
and tear after years of use. The thoracic vertebrae are in the middle of the spine, with most
movements of the vertebral column observed in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back)
regions.
Thoracic spine degeneration is not as common as its cervical or lumbar equivalents. It’s
predominately caused by age-related risk factors. The spinal cord is made up of several bony
segments separated by pads of cartilage that cushion the vertebrae from impact and general
stress on the spinal column. These gel-like cartilage pads are called discs, and as time goes
on, natural body changes lead to their dehydration and loss of effectiveness, resulting in back
pain. There is also the risk of bulging discs or disc herniation as the spondylosis worsens.
A lack of protective cartilage also allows the spinal bones to grind together, leading to
progressive damage.
Spondylosis of the thoracic spine may also result in a condition called spinal stenosis, in
which the spinal canal narrows, causing nerve root compression and pain. The development
of bone spurs can place pressure on spinal nerves, leading to pain as well.
What are causes and symptoms of thoracic spondylosis?
As mentioned previously, thoracic spondylosis causes can largely be narrowed down to age
and wear and tear. Common thoracic spondylosis symptoms include:
Stiffness of the mid-back or upper back
Weakness of muscles
Trouble walking (ambulating)
Pain in the upper back, especially in the morning
Numbness and tingling in the upper and lower extremities
Discoordination
Diagnosing and treating thoracic spondylosis
Commonly it is chronic back pain that prompts people to seek professional help. This is the
time when a case of thoracic spondylosis will be diagnosed as detailed imaging studies of the
spine can be ordered. Imaging often takes the form of a spinal X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. The
doctor is looking for any signs of degeneration and spinal damage.
Most of the time, uncomplicated cases of thoracic spondylosis can be successfully managed
using conservative therapy or non-surgical options. These thoracic spondylosis treatments
include:
Cortisone injections
Prescription muscle relaxers
Prescription nerve pain medication
Prescription narcotic medication
Over-the-counter medication for pain or inflammation
Heat/ice application
Traction
Ultrasound
Electrical stimulation
Bracing
Exercise
Behavior modification
Thoracic spondylosis physiotherapy
Physiotherapy, when used in combination with pain-relieving medication, can provide
exceptional results via exercises that improve the strength and range of movement in the
thoracic vertebrae. Physiotherapy helps to minimize symptoms and can be done at home.
There are several forms of physiotherapy that aim to improve the symptoms of thoracic
spondylosis. These include:
Hydrotherapy: Using the pressure-relieving effects of water, hydrotherapy can treat a
variety of bone- and joint-related pain disorders. It differs from swimming in that it involves
exercises you do in warm water, typically at a temperature of 91ºF to 97ºF. A trained
physiotherapist usually demonstrates how to do the exercises in the water, making
adjustments as needed to suit individual patients.
Taping: This is a technique that is used for injury prevention or rehabilitation.
Physiotherapists are specially trained in how to effectively apply tape to the skin to keep
specific muscles or bones stable. Benefits of using this form of physiotherapy include:
Injury prevention
Quicker return to sport or work
Protection of injured soft tissue, such as ligaments, tendons, or fascia
Encouragement of normal movement
Pain reduction
Reduced risk of re-injury
Improved stability of joints
Reduced swelling
Postural realignment: If your symptoms are the result of years of poor posture, a
realignment of the spinal bones, combined with postural exercises, can help reduce back pain
symptoms. Often this includes an assessment of your current posture, helping to identify any
tight or weak muscles that may be causing your back pain. Next comes advice on how you
can make changes to your posture by sitting, standing, and handling objects properly. There
is also discussion of exercises that help improve your posture by stretching and strengthening
the spinal muscles.
Soft-tissue treatment: This involves the assessment and treatment of any soft-tissue injury
causing pain and abnormal function. Soft tissue includes ligaments, tendons, muscles, and
fascia. Types of soft-tissue treatments include myofascial release, massage, heat therapy,
stretching, and electrotherapy.
Benefits of soft-tissue treatment include:
Faster recovery from injury
Reduced risk of re-injury
Greater functional ability
Accelerated healing process
Increased mobility
Increased muscle strength
Reduced swelling
Increased soft tissue length
Increased range of motion
Reduced pain
