VOMIT: Thoracic Spine

VOMIT: Thoracic Spine

Reference:1. Matsumoto M, et al Age-related changes of thoracic and cervical intervertebral discs in asymptomatic subjects. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2010 Jun 15;35(14):1359-64.
2. Wood KB, et al Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine. Evaluation of asymptomatic individuals. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1995 Nov;77(11):1631-8.

An MRI studies of healthy adults with no history of upper or low back pain found that 47% had disc degeneration, 53% had disc bulges and 58% had disc tears in their thoracic spine.

Amazingly 29% of these healthy adults had a disc bulge that was actually deforming andpressing on the spinal cord, yet they did not even know about it.(1,2)

Translation: Do not panic if your x-ray or MRI shows “problems” with your discs, they are simply common and NORMAL findings.

Posted on: March 09, 2014

Categories: Thoracic Spine , Relevant Physical Therapy Articles