Thoracic Decompression

What Is Thoracic Decompression?

Thoracic decompression surgery is a treatment for spinal cord compression in the thoracic region, or upper back. The spinal canal is a narrow channel through the center of the vertebrae. It provides a place for the spinal cord to pass through, giving it enough space to function while protecting it on all sides with sturdy bone. However, some spine conditions cause the spinal canal to narrow, which can create pressure on the spinal cord, resulting in pain and other symptoms.

During thoracic decompression surgery, the surgeon removes bone spurs, slipped discs, and other intrusions to create space around the spinal cord, letting it function correctly. Thoracic decompression provides immediate and permanent relief from pain. Patients can stop taking medications and get back to the active lifestyles they enjoyed before their spine condition set in.

What Does Thoracic Decompression Treat?

Thoracic decompression is used to treat thoracic stenosis. This upper back condition occurs when the spinal canal becomes narrowed, creating pressure on the spinal cord. It has multiple possible causes. Most cases of stenosis are due to bone spurs, or bony growths into the spinal canal. Not every case is related to bone spurs, however. Other possible causes for thoracic stenosis include:

• Thoracic degenerative joint disease (arthritis)
• Thoracic herniated disc
• Thoracic slipped disc
• Thoracic degenerative disc disease
• Spinal deformities
• Thickened ligaments

Thoracic stenosis is associated with a variety of symptoms, including sciatica, weakness in the legs or feet, numbness, and loss of bowel or bladder control. These symptoms do not get better by themselves. Medical intervention is necessary for the patient to find relief.

What Are Treatment Alternatives to Thoracic Decompression?

Thoracic stenosis treatments do not always begin with surgery. In most cases, physicians start with conservative methods to manage pain. Some approaches that may prove effective include:

• Physical therapy
• Traction therapy
• Pain relief medications
• Steroid injections

These methods can provide temporary relief for pain and other symptoms. They cannot, however, treat spine conditions at the source. Long-term pain management can get expensive, and it may become less effective over time if the stenosis gets worse. Thoracic decompression is the only way to permanently treat thoracic stenosis for lasting relief from symptoms.

Is Thoracic Decompression Right for You?

Thoracic decompression is not appropriate for every patient. To make sure that surgery is the right next step, a board-certified spine surgeon must first evaluate patients. The following signs are indicators that it is time to speak with a physician about surgery:

• Pain that radiates from the upper back
• Extreme pain or numbness in a leg or foot
• An inability to sit, stand, or walk without discomfort
• Pain that does not go away with physical therapy or medication
• Pain that interferes with everyday activities and quality of life

If one or more of the above descriptors are true for a patient, they should seek a diagnosis from a physician. The diagnosis process involves a thorough physical examination, a review of the patient’s medical history, and a series of imaging tests including X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans. Each step helps the physician rule out potential causes for pain and come closer to the correct diagnosis.

What Types of Thoracic Decompression Are Available?

Once the patient has been diagnosed, it is time to begin treatment. Thoracic decompression surgeries at NU-Spine are performed by Dr. Branko Skovrlj. He is an award-winning neurosurgeon with expertise in a wide range of spine treatments. He will recommend the right type of thoracic decompression to treat the patient’s pain. The options include:

• Thoracic laminectomy: This procedure involves removing the lamina, or the back section of the vertebra, to create space around the spinal cord.
• Thoracic hemilaminectomy: This procedure removes less of the lamina to maintain support and stability in the spine.
• Thoracic discectomy: This procedure involves removing a herniated disc that has slipped into the spinal canal, eliminating the obstruction.
• Thoracic microdiscectomy: Performed similarly to a discectomy, this procedure removes only the part of the spinal disc that impinges on the spinal cord.
• Thoracic foraminotomy: This procedure involves removing sections of bone from around the foramen, or the channel that allows root nerves to exit the spine.
• Spinal fusion: This procedure uses bone grafts and implants to fuse two or more vertebrae, creating a single strong bone without pain.

Dr. Skovrlj’s cutting-edge treatments have earned him numerous awards. Despite his global renown, however, he remains committed to his patients and gets to know each of them. He provides care that is centered on compassion and the understanding that spine pain is often difficult to discuss. By building relationships with his patients, Dr. Skovrlj makes it easier for them to approach him with concerns about lost mobility and body insecurities. This helps him plan the best treatments to provide relief.

Outcomes of Thoracic Decompression

Thoracic decompression provides immediate relief for pain caused by spinal stenosis. The surgery removes all pressure on the spinal cord, eliminating the cause of symptoms. Many patients can stop taking pain medications or reduce their reliance on them. They also experience better sleep, improved moods, and a return to a more active lifestyle, which all contribute to a higher quality of life.

Dr. Skovrlj uses minimally invasive methods whenever possible. Minimally invasive treatments use advanced equipment to reduce the amount of cutting required. This reduces surgical stress and allows for a smoother recovery. Patients enjoy benefits such as shorter hospital stays, less post-surgical bleeding, a lower risk of infections, and higher surgical success rates.

Find Expert Spine Pain Care Near You in New Jersey

Patients who struggle with upper back pain can transform their lives with a touch of care at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. We perform innovative thoracic decompression surgery near you in New Jersey, helping our patients get back to pain-free living. Contact us to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment at one of our locations near you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thoracic Decompression

What is thoracic decompression surgery?

Thoracic decompression is a surgical treatment that removes obstructions in the spinal canal, relieving spinal cord impingement. There are several types of decompression procedures, including:

• Laminectomy
• Hemilaminectomy
• Discectomy
• Microdiscectomy
• Foraminotomy
• Spinal fusion

When is thoracic decompression recommended?

Thoracic decompression is recommended for patients with thoracic stenosis who have not experienced relief from conservative treatment methods.

Who is a good candidate for thoracic decompression?

Not every patient will benefit from thoracic decompression. Patients may be good candidates if they are struggling with severe pain, numbness, or loss of function, especially if the symptoms do not go away with conservative pain management methods. The patient’s physician will perform an evaluation to find out whether surgery is the right next step.