Thoracic Radiculopathy

If you’ve experienced a sharp pain in your lower neck that radiates to your chest, back and shoulders, you need to see the expert physicians at Redefine Healthcare because you may have developed thoracic radiculopathy. This painful spinal condition is largely confirmed by specific imaging tests, but your symptoms may include:

• Sharp middle back pain
• Neurological complications
• Weakness in your arm and torso, affecting your movements
• A burning or shooting pain, starting in your lower neck and radiating to your chest, posterior shoulder and back
• Pain and tenderness in the area around a pinched nerve
• Numbness and tingling sensations in your neck, back, chest and back of the shoulders
• Pain engulfing your chest or the front part of your body
• A loss of reflexes in your arms or legs
• A reduced range of motion
• Problems sitting
• A sharp pain when doing strenuous activities
• Muscle spasms in your neck
• Pain associated with a change in posture

While the thoracic spine doesn’t have a lot of flexibility, any pain or discomfort in this part of your back can affect your ability to function normally. In addition to their experienced doctors, the Redefine Healthcare’s state-of-the-art facilities have the latest diagnostic medical equipment. You receive a firm diagnosis that leads to the most successful treatment.

The underlying cause of thoracic radiculopathy is the interference of thoracic nerve roots. Any condition, physical change or injury to these nerves affects their function and causes the painful symptoms. Common causes that affect thoracic spinal nerves leading to thoracic radiculopathy include:

• Degenerative disc disease from long-term wear and tear
• Bulging or herniated discs in the middle of your back
• A compressed or pinched nerve
• Bone spurs in your spine
• Spondylolisthesis
• Ossification of the spinal ligaments
• A spinal injury
• Connective tissue disease
• Diseases like tuberculosis
• A tumor in the thoracic spine
• Degenerative joint disease
• Diabetes mellitus

While a back injury can happen to anyone, certain lifestyle factors put you at a higher risk for thoracic radiculopathy. These risk factors include:

• Aging that naturally leads to spinal degeneration
• A family history of spinal conditions like radiculopathy
• Poor posture
• Spinal abnormalities, such as scoliosis
• Being overweight or obese
• Repetitive movements in a job, hobby or other activity
• Conditions affecting the joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

The pain specialists at the New Jersey pain management practice use an individualized treatment plan that’s based on your diagnosis. Every patient’s spinal condition is unique, so this approach to treatment improves your chances of a full recovery.