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- European Spine Journal: Operative Treatment of 733 Patients with Acute Thoracolumbar Spinal Injuries -- Comprehensive Results from the Second, Prospective, Internet-Based Multicenter Study of the Spine Study Group of the German Association of Trauma Surgery
- European Spine Journal: Operative Treatment of 733 Patients with Acute Thoracolumbar Spinal Injuries -- Comprehensive Results from the Second, Prospective, Internet-Based Multicenter Study of the Spine Study Group of the German Association of Trauma Surgery
- Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association: Thoracic Spine Compression Fractures Following a Snowboarding Accident -- A Case Study
- Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association: Thoracic Spine Compression Fractures Following a Snowboarding Accident -- A Case Study
- Scoliosis: 2011 SOSORT Guidelines -- Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis During Growth
- Scoliosis: 2011 SOSORT Guidelines -- Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis During Growth
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Causes of Thoracic Spine Pain
The thoracic spine is composed of 12 vertebrae, which are separated by discs and attached to the ribs. Several conditions can create varying degrees and types of pain in the thoracic spine. Sprains are the most common and least serious -- but sometimes the most painful. Other less common but more serious conditions, such as tumors, sometimes do not generate much pain.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Sprained Joints
Sprained joints in the thoracic spine are the most common source of pain and can be the most severe. Two types of joints can cause this pain -- facet joints, which join the vertebrae together, and the costovertebral joints, which join the vertebrae to their corresponding ribs. Facet joint pain is usually sharp, limiting your ability to move, while costovertebral pain is frequently described as stabbing. A severe, left-sided costovertebral sprain can mimic a heart attack.
- Sprained joints in the thoracic spine are the most common source of pain and can be the most severe.
- Facet joint pain is usually sharp, limiting your ability to move, while costovertebral pain is frequently described as stabbing.
Spondylosis
Lower Back Arthritis Symptoms
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Spondylosis, the wear and tear type of spinal arthritis, is common among adults 45 and older. The early stages of spondylosis in the thoracic spine create an achy stiffness between your shoulder blades, sometimes radiating around your rib cage. This stiffness is typically worse in the morning, but lessens with activity. Later stages of arthritis can irritate nerves in this part of your spine, creating an intermittent, burning pain.
- Spondylosis, the wear and tear type of spinal arthritis, is common among adults 45 and older.
- The early stages of spondylosis in the thoracic spine create an achy stiffness between your shoulder blades, sometimes radiating around your rib cage.
Fractures
Deep, dull, constant pain can be caused by fractures of the thoracic spine 2. Osteoporosis is the most common cause because of the reduced bone density, which leads to compression fractures. Trauma from a serious fall or car accident can fracture any part of the thoracic spine, which can result in sharp pain, especially with coughing and sneezing 2.
Spinal Deformity
Types of Skeletal System Diseases
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Scoliosis is an unnatural sideways curvature of the spine, most commonly affecting the thoracic region. It occurs most frequently in adolescent girls and is of unknown cause. Pain from scoliosis can range from nonexistent to severe, depending on the degree of deformity and flexibility of the afflicted area. If severe deformity exists, thoracic pain and tightness can result from simply breathing.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the spine affecting mainly younger adult men. It can affect the thoracic region and create progressive stiffness. Spinal fusion can occur in late stages, which often stops the pain.
- Scoliosis is an unnatural sideways curvature of the spine, most commonly affecting the thoracic region.
- If severe deformity exists, thoracic pain and tightness can result from simply breathing.
Other Conditions
Infection of the spine -- osteomyelitis -- is a serious disease that can become life threatening without antibiotics. Staphylococcus is the most common type of bacteria that infects bone, causing bone destruction and severe, constant pain.
Cancer is the most life-threatening disease of the spine. This condition often creates a dull, intermittent pain that can become constant and severe with progression. Advanced cancer can spread to the thoracic spine from other sites such as the breast, lung or prostate.
- Infection of the spine -- osteomyelitis -- is a serious disease that can become life threatening without antibiotics.
- Staphylococcus is the most common type of bacteria that infects bone, causing bone destruction and severe, constant pain.
Related Articles
References
- European Spine Journal: Operative Treatment of 733 Patients with Acute Thoracolumbar Spinal Injuries -- Comprehensive Results from the Second, Prospective, Internet-Based Multicenter Study of the Spine Study Group of the German Association of Trauma Surgery
- Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association: Thoracic Spine Compression Fractures Following a Snowboarding Accident -- A Case Study
- Scoliosis: 2011 SOSORT Guidelines -- Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis During Growth
- Louw A, Schmidt SG. Chronic pain and the thoracic spine. J Man Manip Ther. 2015;23(3):162–168. doi:10.1179/2042618615Y.0000000006
- Briggs AM, Smith AJ, Straker LM, Bragge P. Thoracic spine pain in the general population: prevalence, incidence and associated factors in children, adolescents and adults. A systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2009;10:77. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-10-77
- Wysocki J, Bubrowski M, Reymond J, Kwiatkowski J. Anatomical variants of the cervical vertebrae and the first thoracic vertebra in man. Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2003;62(4):357-63.
- Heneghan NR, Rushton A. Understanding why the thoracic region is the 'Cinderella' region of the spine. Man Ther. 2016;21:274-6. doi:10.1016/j.math.2015.06.010
- Al-Otaibi ST. Prevention of occupational back pain. J Family Community Med. 2015;22(2):73–77. doi:10.4103/2230-8229.155370
- Cook C. Evidence based examination of the thoracic spine. Medbridge Education.
- Rock JM, Rainey CE. Treatment of nonspecific thoracic spine pain with trigger point dry needling and intramuscular electrical stimulation: A case series. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2014;9(5):699-711.
- Heneghan NR, Gormley S, Hallam C, Rushton A. Management of thoracic spine pain and dysfunction: A survey of clinical practice in the UK. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2019;39:58-66. doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2018.11.006
Writer Bio
Aironius French has been writing professionally since 1999, when he became a clinical chiropractic physician. His health-related articles have appeared in the newspapers "Calgary Sun," "Calgary Herald," "Ajo Corridor Times" and "Rocky Point Times" and in "Penasco" magazine. French holds a Bachelor of Science in physical anthropology and human development from the University of Calgary and a doctorate from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.