Thoracic Spine Treatment Options
Conservative Treatment
Conservative treatment includes pain medications such as ibuprofen, Tylenol and avoiding strenuous activity if the pain is severe.
Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)
Epidural steroid injection can be considered if the pain is intolerable even with medications and rest.
Surgical Treatment
Laminotomy is a procedure in which a small opening is made between the two vertebrae where there is a disc rupture. This helps the surgeon to see into the spinal canal and makes room to work.
Then the surgeon moves the nerve roots away and locates the disc material that has ruptured into the spinal canal and removes it. This is done to relieve any pressure and irritation on the nerves of the spine. This procedure is known as discectomy.
- Microdiscectomy
This procedure is same as the traditional laminotomy and discectomy, but a smaller incision is sufficient. There is less damage to the spine during the operation and faster recovery.
The surgeon uses an operating microscope for visibility through smaller incision (two inches).