Thoracic Spinal Stenosis

Not as common as cervical or lumbar stenosis, thoracic spinal stenosis is a rare degenerative condition in which the spinal canal in the upper/middle back is narrowed. This can cause pain, weakness, bowel and bladder dysfunction or sexual dysfunction.

Some people are born with a congenital form of stenosis, but most develop spinal stenosis as part of aging and degeneration. Some people do not feel any effects of the narrowing, but most people who are affected will eventually notice mid-back or scapular pain that radiates around to the chest and abdomen, weakness, and/or numbness secondary to the compression of the nerves or spinal cord. This can often be confused with chest pain or abdominal pain from other problems because of the level of the nerves in the spine. A thorough workup must be performed before a diagnosis is made.

Last modified: October 22, 2019