Thoracic Back Pain

[karencon]

I was injured at work Jan 2005. Lumbar injury resulteds in failed Laminectomy fusion. Thoracic T7 T8 demonstrates a larger right paracentral predominant endplate osteophytic ridge/disk complex which is associated with right ventral cord and localized cord flattening. T11 T12 focally advanced disk desiccation with a small degree of posterior disk bulging without evidence for cord flattening.. I have constant pain in the mid back ( between the mid/lower shoulder blades) area that radiates around both sides to my chest which makes me feel as tho my chest is collapsing.I do not get any chest pains until the Thoracic area acts up, the pain on a scale of 0-10 on a daily basis is 7-9. i have seen a few back surgeons and not a single one will even consider touching my back for surgery. They state that thoracic surgery is to dangerous. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I could possibly do to help decrease the pain. My current pain Doc is awaiting for xrays of the thoracic area to make sure no fractures or disslocations are present.. What follows then??  Painfully confused.

[sunshine2008]

The best piece of advice I can offer you is to continue seeing different doctors until someone is able to help you. Another HUGE factor is research, you have to take a VERY proactive role when it comes to thoracic injuries because it is so rare "Symptomatic thoracic disc herniations remain rare, with an estimated incidence of one in 1 million individuals per year".

http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158177619-2/0/1584/298.html

When researching different facilites make sure to contact them regarding thoracic spine injuries/disease if it is not listed, I have found some facilities do not listed thoracic injuries because of the rarity of it.

Before surgery is even considered you must go through a battery of other less invasive treatments ( that was the case for me). Physical therapy (heat and ice therapy, stretching), massage therapy, chiropractic care, trigger point injections, epidural steroid injections, and facet block injections are to name a few.

I have had everything mentioned above and plus 2 thoracic surgeries about 5 months ago, the next step for me is a fusion because surgery did not work. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Goodluck ,
Sunshine