what is the cause of my pain ?

[grainger16]

In Jan. 2001 I injuried my thorasic back lifting a 150# pump Xray,MRI & bone scan all neg. had some trigger point inj. & returned to work in july 2001. Now in June 2002 while changing a 50# part on a machine while in a standing pos. knee's bent & arms fully extended I had severe jolts of pain in the thorasic region of my back radiating into the rib area under my arms. After completing the instalation of the part I was unable to look dowm while sitting because of the pain. After a couple of weeks the pain subsided with rest but returns with very little activity. The pain is between the shoulder blades along the spine & the only way to relieve it by lying down.  MRI as of 10-23-02 shows mild disc bulge at T7-T8 with no significant spinal or neural foraminal compromise.I have full strenght & mobility in all extremities . Also after being up & active and the pain increases I do have trouble when the pain is at it's worst reaching in the refridgerator for a gallon jug this will cause pain to shoot from the thorasic area around to the ribs under my arms  please advise thank you

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Symptomatic thoracic disc disease is much less common than cervical or lumbosacral disease. Further diagnostic testing would include a limited EMG with special attention to the thoracic paraspinal muscles and maybe a leg exam for completion. Consider taking your films to a neurosurgeon for evaluation. In the meantime, take it easy. No heavy lifting.  Usually we say nothing heavier than a gallon of milk, but as you're having problems already with a gallon jug, your restriction may be even more.  Stay away from contact sports that may put you at risk for further back injury and just use common sense in all that you do. If the trigger injections with steroids or pain meds helped i the past, you could consider doing these again. Vioxx or Celebrex, newer and fancier motrins that are prescription meds may also be helpful. Good luck.

[grainger16]

THIS IS FOR THORASIC BACK PAIN