Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Mid-back pain or stiffness
- Numbness, tingling, or band-like sensations around the torso
- Leg weakness or heaviness
- Balance or gait changes
- Worsening with prolonged standing or walking
Thoracic
Stenosis .
Thoracic stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the mid-back that can place pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. Symptoms may include mid-back pain, stiffness, numbness or tingling, weakness, and changes in balance or coordination.
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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 (Mid-back)
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Thoracic Stenosis at a glance
- What it is: Thoracic stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the mid-back that can place pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. Symptoms may include mid-back pain, stiffness, numbness or tingling, weakness, and changes in balance or coordination.
- Common symptoms: Mid-back pain or stiffness; Numbness, tingling, or band-like sensations around the torso; Leg weakness or heaviness.
- First-line treatment: Physical therapy — Targeted exercises improve posture, mobility, and core support.
- When surgery is considered: progressive symptoms, neurological changes, or pain unresponsive to conservative care.
Symptoms & causes
Understanding thoracic stenosis
Causes
Common causes
- Age-related wear
- Thickened ligaments
- Disc herniation or bulging
- Bone spurs
- Prior trauma or congenital narrowing
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.
- Physical therapy — Targeted exercises improve posture, mobility, and core support.
- Anti-inflammatory medication — NSAIDs and short oral steroid courses reduce nerve inflammation.
- Epidural injections — Image-guided steroid injections can calm inflamed thoracic nerve roots.
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.
- Thoracic decompression — When neurological symptoms progress, Dr. Yasmeh performs targeted minimally invasive decompression.
Common questions
About thoracic stenosis.
- 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 moreMinimally Invasive Spine Surgery
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 moreReady when you are
Get clarity on your thoracic stenosis today.
Same-week appointments. Four Greater LA offices. Most insurance accepted.