Conditions

Upper Back Pain

Upper Back Pain

The upper back is referred to as the thoracic spine.  It is comprised of 12 vertebrae, numbered T1 through T12.  The neck is referred to as the cervical spine and is comprised of 7 bones and the low back is referred to as the lumbar spine and is comprised of 5 bones.  The upper back, or thoracic spine, does not degenerate or become symptomatic as commonly as the neck and low back.  Part of the reason is that the ribs help to stabilize and support the thoracic spine. There is less motion and therefore less wear and tear on the thoracic spine as opposed to the neck or low back.

A common complaint is pain in between the shoulder blades.  This is often radiating or originating from the neck. Degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy of the cervical spine is the most common underlying cause of neck pain and pain that radiates into the upper back.

In younger patients, such as teenagers or young adults, a wedging or collapse of the anterior aspect of the thoracic vertebrae and disc can create an exaggerated forward flexed deformity known as Scheumerman’s kyphosis. This can often result in upper back pain.

Upper Back Pain
In the elderly, multiple wedge shaped compression fractures of the vertebrae and degenerative disc disease can contribute to a “hunched back” kyphotic deformity as well. The treatment for this is typically pain control unless there is an acute compression fracture from underlying osteoporosis.  Bone density scans can be done to evaluate for underlying osteoporosis and MRI’s can help determine if a compression fracture (collapse of a vertebrae) is acute or chronic. If it is acute the treatment options are either bracing for 8-12 weeks or a 15 minute outpatient minimally invasive procedure called a kyhpoplasty. In this procedure a small needle is introduced into the broken (fractured/compressed) bone and cement is placed. The purpose of this is to stabilize the bone so it does not collapse further, thereby helping to prevent further imbalance of the spine. The cement also typically decreases pain significantly allow the patient to take less or no pain medication and become more mobile.

Back Stories

How to Protect Your Lower Back from Pain While Lifting Something Heavy
How to Protect Your Lower Back from Pain While Lifting Something Heavy
Acute back pain can be caused by a multitude of things, from auto accidents to falls to even sneezin...
Read Article
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease May Cause Headaches
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease May Cause Headaches
When your head is pounding, you may cycle through a litany of potential causes, from allergies to la...
Read Article
Can Back Pain Go Away Overnight?
Can Back Pain Go Away Overnight?
Trying to sleep with back pain is no fun. If your pain is so extreme that you need immediate care du...
Read Article
Don’t Suffer with Lower Back Pain from Driving
Don’t Suffer with Lower Back Pain from Driving
Is driving causing back pain? This is a common complaint, especially for those who have a long commu...
Read Article
The Five Most Common Herniated Disc Symptoms
The Five Most Common Herniated Disc Symptoms
Wake up with a pain pulsating down one leg? Feel a twinge in your lower back when you sneeze? It cou...
Read Article
8 Back Health Tips for Working from Home
8 Back Health Tips for Working from Home
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, have you recently found yourself working from home? Many of us sudd...
Read Article
  • Living Best Of
  • Dallas Modern Luxury
  • D Magazine
  • Good Morning Texas
  • Focus On Health
  • Best Docs Network
  • MD News