Hello Iam new to this forum!! I had a L5, S1 disk fusion in 2008 due to a work related injury! Found Out a year and a half later i also have a small Disk Buldge at l4 Level. There was nothing wrong at this level Before the L5,S1 Disk fusion! About 6 months ago i was haveing alot of chest pain So i went to my doctor Did EKG Was normal! Just ealth with the pain!! Three weeks ago went back to doctor complaing of same problem. They took xrays and found out that Their is slight anterior Wedging of t6,t7,and t8.There is minimal spur formation about the t8-9 intervertebral disk space.Narrowing of the t7-8 and t8-9 intervertebral disk space.Degenerative disk disease from t7-9. Then went for mri a findings where at t7-8 there is a narrowing of the disk space seen with a central posterior disk herniation with impingement on the thecal sac and spinal cord!! How serious is this! Don't really want to go through another surgery! Any Help would be great. Also for the last three years i haven't done anything, Includeing any type of work.Iam only 41!!

Hello and sorry to hear about your herniation. There is not much info out there on thoracic hernations as they are very rare, somewhere between .5 to 1% of hernations are in the T spine. From what I have read, surgery is very difficult and usually only done for life threatening situations. Non surgical pain management is the first line of treatment. Do you have other symptoms such as leg weakness, problems walking, problems urinating or with your bowels? These are what the docs follow before deciding on surgical intervention. The are informative threads here from those who had surgery right below this thread! I have a mixed bag with lumbar axonal nerve damage and a large herniation with mild cord pressure T6-T7.

Here are some links you may find helpful:
http://www.umm.edu/spinecenter/educa...racic_disk.htm

http://www.spine-health.com/conditio...ation-symptoms

[QUOTE=JB63;798002]Hello and sorry to hear about your herniation. There is not much info out there on thoracic hernations as they are very rare, somewhere between .5 to 1% of hernations are in the T spine. From what I have read, surgery is very difficult and usually only done for life threatening situations. Non surgical pain management is the first line of treatment. Do you have other symptoms such as leg weakness, problems walking, problems urinating or with your bowels? These are what the docs follow before deciding on surgical intervention. The are informative threads here from those who had surgery right below this thread! I have a mixed bag with lumbar axonal nerve damage and a large herniation with mild cord pressure T6-T7.


Thanks For the reply. I think i have leg weekness because when i walk up the stairs my legs feel shakey.Or if iam carrieing like laundry they feel shakey! Iam pretty sure they are not aspose to feel like that!! I thought it just might be weekness due to my Previous Spinal fusion! Sometimes when i urinate it feels like you can't control the pressure. like to pee faster or slower!! I don't know maybe iam just imagining things.I also have athletes foot for two years know!! Can't get ride of it!! Also i keep getting a rash in my groin for the last two years! It last a week then aweek later it comes back again!! I read that spinal disorders can cause frequent Herpes Zooster!!

[QUOTE=injrd back 1970;798019]And herpes zoster can make itself at home in the spinal root nerves. That was the diagnosis I got for my nerve damage that is contributing to my problem: severe leg weakness and foot drop on the right. I had 6 documented cases of shingles in 10 yrs. During my neuro workup they found the large t6 herniation which has mild pressure on my cord. Double trouble, but my symptoms came on fast after twisting my back to clean an oven.

Try not to think that every odd sensation is a symptom of something bad. It is easier said than done. Follow up with your doctor but be aware that often all there is to do is watch and wait.

[QUOTE=JB63;798046] I just got back from the neurosurgeon and he said i haven't nothing to worry about!!! No surgery!! He said i can get a Cordozone shot,Or do Pain management, or physical therapy!! I will get the cordozone shot and see how that works!

[QUOTE=injrd back 1970;798152]Wonderful!!!! !!!