In the general population, the lifetime prevalence of having experienced musculoskeletal pain in the thoracic spine is 17% in contrast to 57% in the low back and 40% in the neck. A systematic review found that thoracic spine pain is more common in female patients and in child and adolescent populations, compared with adults. Īlthough the scientific literature on musculoskeletal pain in the cervical and lumbar spine is abundant, similar information about pain in the thoracic region is sparse because of its lower prevalence. Hyperflexion injury of the thoracic spine. For cases of chronic or refractory pain, treatment options include trigger point injections and dry needling, acupuncture, electrostimulation modalities, botulinum toxin type A, spinal cord stimulation, and compounded topical analgesics.įrom Goldstein SJ. Self-limiting thoracic sprain or strain frequently resolves within 1 to 6 months with rest, physical modalities including therapy, and/or OTC analgesics. Metastatic malignancy or spinal cord tumor should be ruled out in the presence of constitutional symptoms. Thoracic strain or sprain may also be the indirect result of disc lesions, with many cases of thoracic pain being referred from the cervical spine. These deficits can be addressed by targeted rehabilitation programs and home therapy focused on improving flexibility and extension range of motion of the thoracic spine, as well as correction of posture. Intrinsic thoracic strain or sprain is most commonly caused by prolonged sitting or poor posture, such as that seen in Scheuermann disease in young patients or excessive kyphosis in the elderly. Although the impact of thoracic spine pain on patient quality of life is equivalent to that of cervical and lumbar spine pain, the prevalence of thoracic pain is the lowest of the three and the available literature describing its epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment is limited.

Icd 10 imuscle sprain mid thoracic