I don't know anyone personally but I have read many success stories on thoracic disc surgery. Most people I believe opted for neurosurgeons over orthopedic surgeons. Also I have read that surgery is only done as a last resort in that area. What are your symptoms? Who have you consulted? What conservative treatments if anything have they tried?

Well I actually found out by mistake... I went to the dr bc my right leg and knee was swelling ... My left leg was fine.. Did an MRI and found out I had 3 herniated disk L4 L5 S1 N1.... Set up for my lower lumbar epidural ... While I was meeting with the dr I expressed pain in my upper back( at the bra strap up) so I asked for a MRI of that area... Had it done on a sat and was called that mon... ( the dr called from home) "SHE STATED... YOU HAVE A VERY SERIOUS SPINAL CORD HERNIATION" ...with that said I was scared to death... Found a neurosurgeon who is highly recommended and is great at this portion of the spine... I have always has numbing and tingling in my legs feet hands and fingers... Through the years never been able to find out why... So my MRI showed a spinal cord HERNIATION .. I do have nerve damage that can not be reversed ;( there are really no other option other then surgery since I
Have symptoms already... If I don't get the surgery i will lose my ability to walk;( that is not the chance I am willing to take and have 2 girls who I would love to be there for... Just found out surgery is may 17... I have quite a health history and have to be cleared by cardio...pulmonary.....pcp...etc...
I have had trouble finding things online and or finding things out about people who have had it done... I have had many surgeries in my life but NEVER one this serious... I would love and appreciate any helpful info you have....thanks so much!

If it makes any difference to you, I also have a bulge at t5/6. An osteopathic did it to me when he manipulated my back. I have had mild pain for 5 years but got in a car accident in March and got whiplash which caused pins and needles and pain all over. I also had a band of pain around my chest. I am better now but and was told my bulge is very mild and things will settle. I am also dealing with a bulge in L5/6 causing double sided sciatica. I also had open spine surgery last February. Not fun at all. The only advice I can give you is to be certain your disc is herniated AND causing spinal compression AND causing your symptoms before they operate. Numbness can be caused by many things. Do you have any numbness in face or head? Or is it all below T5? I also wish you the very best of luck with this.
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Also how many years have you had numbness and tingling?

I believe (as I construe it, and mommyof2grls will have to verify/correct my interpretation) that this is a spinal herniation - a herniation of the cord itself - rather than a herniated disc impinging on the cord.

Folks here know how conservative I am about surgey. I think this may be one that is warranted; damage has already been done with a very poor prognosis if not corrected.

mommyof2grls, if you're the 4th patient to have this procedure (does that mean 4th currently in line, 4th by this surgeon, at this hospital, in this country, or ever?), there may not be very much available online to non-professionals. You may be able to get a pointer from the surgeon or ask your PCP to find something for you (they have access to sources we, as patients, don't).

I do find some articles by searching: spinal herniation surgery -disc -disk
(the "-disc -disk" eliminates results for disc herniation)

HTH,

Doc

I have always had numbing in my finger toes and feet PROBABLY SINCE MY 20'S