Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Sharp or burning mid-back pain
- Band-like pain around the chest or rib cage
- Numbness or tingling along the torso
- Pain worsened by deep breaths or twisting
- Occasional leg symptoms in severe cases
Thoracic
Radiculopathy .
Thoracic radiculopathy is caused by irritation or compression of a nerve in the mid-back. It may create sharp, burning, or band-like pain that wraps around the chest or rib cage and can sometimes cause numbness or tingling along the torso.
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Diagnosis first. Treatment second.
Thoracic (Mid-back) spine condition treated with conservative options first and motion-preserving surgery when needed.
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Thoracic Radiculopathy at a glance
- What it is: Thoracic radiculopathy is caused by irritation or compression of a nerve in the mid-back. It may create sharp, burning, or band-like pain that wraps around the chest or rib cage and can sometimes cause numbness or tingling along the torso.
- Common symptoms: Sharp or burning mid-back pain; Band-like pain around the chest or rib cage; Numbness or tingling along the torso.
- First-line treatment: Imaging-based diagnosis — MRI is critical because thoracic symptoms can mimic cardiac or pulmonary problems.
- When surgery is considered: progressive symptoms, neurological changes, or pain unresponsive to conservative care.
Symptoms & causes
Understanding thoracic radiculopathy
Causes
Common causes
- Thoracic disc herniation
- Spinal stenosis
- Bone spurs
- Shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia mimics)
- Trauma
How Dr. Yasmeh treats it
Treatment options
Dr. Yasmeh starts with the least-invasive option that fits your case and only escalates when clearly needed.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Most patients improve without surgery. Dr. Yasmeh sequences therapy, medication, and targeted injections before considering operative options.
- Imaging-based diagnosis — MRI is critical because thoracic symptoms can mimic cardiac or pulmonary problems.
- Physical therapy and medication — Often resolves symptoms over weeks to months.
- Targeted nerve-root injections — Image-guided injections quiet the inflamed nerve.
Surgical care
When neededWhen surgery is the right answer
When non-operative care has not worked or symptoms are progressive, Dr. Yasmeh offers motion-preserving techniques whenever clinically appropriate.
- Decompression surgery (selected cases) — When neurological symptoms progress, Dr. Yasmeh evaluates minimally invasive surgical options.
Common questions
About thoracic radiculopathy.
- Most patients improve with conservative care — physical therapy, medication, and targeted injections. Dr. Yasmeh only recommends surgery when symptoms are progressive, when there is neurological compromise, or when conservative care has not resolved the problem.
- Diagnosis combines a careful history, physical exam, and imaging (typically MRI). Dr. Yasmeh reviews your imaging with you in plain language so you understand what's happening.
- Yes — Dr. Yasmeh offers second opinions, especially for patients told they need fusion. He evaluates motion-preserving alternatives like laminoplasty or artificial disc replacement when clinically appropriate.
- Dr. Yasmeh sees patients at four offices across Greater Los Angeles: East LA (1700 E Cesar Chavez Ave), Glendale (1505 Wilson Terrace), Santa Fe Springs (12215 Telegraph Rd), and Tarzana (18840 Ventura Blvd).
Related procedures
Procedures Dr. Yasmeh performs for this condition
Spinal Decompression
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreEpidural Steroid Injection
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreMinimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreReady when you are
Get clarity on your thoracic radiculopathy today.
Same-week appointments. Four Greater LA offices. Most insurance accepted.