Thoracic disc herniation

Thoracic disc herniation

Thoracic disc herniations that require surgical intervention are rare, accounting for less than 2% of all discectomy procedures. Typically , the patient presents with axial pain, radiculopathy or myelopathy . Conservative treatment including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy and general fitness improvement should be considered initially . If required, thoracic discectomy may be performed via thoracotomy or, for a soft disc prolapse, via a thoracoscopic approach.

Figure 37.2 Cervical total disc replacement. The patient presented with severe left-sided C6 radicu

lopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging scan con /f_i rmed a left C5/6 disc herniation. The patient underwent a C5/6 discectomy and decompression of the left traversing C6 nerve root, followed by insertion of a cervical disc replacement. Lateral radiographs in /f_l exion (a) and extension (b) show restored motion to the C5/6 level.

Thoracic disc herniation

Thoracic disc herniations that require surgical intervention are rare, accounting for less than 2% of all discectomy procedures. Typically , the patient presents with axial pain, radiculopathy or myelopathy . Conservative treatment including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy and general fitness improvement should be considered initially . If required, thoracic discectomy may be performed via thoracotomy or, for a soft disc prolapse, via a thoracoscopic approach.

Figure 37.2 Cervical total disc replacement. The patient presented with severe left-sided C6 radicu

lopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging scan con /f_i rmed a left C5/6 disc herniation. The patient underwent a C5/6 discectomy and decompression of the left traversing C6 nerve root, followed by insertion of a cervical disc replacement. Lateral radiographs in /f_l exion (a) and extension (b) show restored motion to the C5/6 level.

Thoracic disc herniation

Thoracic disc herniations that require surgical intervention are rare, accounting for less than 2% of all discectomy procedures. Typically , the patient presents with axial pain, radiculopathy or myelopathy . Conservative treatment including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy and general fitness improvement should be considered initially . If required, thoracic discectomy may be performed via thoracotomy or, for a soft disc prolapse, via a thoracoscopic approach.

Figure 37.2 Cervical total disc replacement. The patient presented with severe left-sided C6 radicu

lopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging scan con /f_i rmed a left C5/6 disc herniation. The patient underwent a C5/6 discectomy and decompression of the left traversing C6 nerve root, followed by insertion of a cervical disc replacement. Lateral radiographs in /f_l exion (a) and extension (b) show restored motion to the C5/6 level.