The herniated disc protrudes into the hollow tube of the spinal column called the spinal canal and directly pushes against the spinal cord passing through the spinal column. This can injure the spinal cord. Herniated discs can also block blood flow from the one and only blood vessel going to the front of the spinal cord in the thoracic region of the spine causing nerve tissues in the spinal cord to die.
Symptoms of thoracic disc herniation vary depending on the position and size of the disc herniation; nerve irritation or nerve injury; and damage to the spinal cord. Symptoms may include mid-back pain; pain around the front of the chest that may mimic heart problems; groin pain or pain, numbness and weakness in the legs and arms. It may even affect bowel and bladder function.
Posterolateral approach: This approach is also called as costo-transversectomy. The herniated disc is accessed through an incision on the back of the spine. A window through the bones that cover the herniated disc is created by removing a small part of rib where it connects to the spine (costo means rib) and transverse process (a small bone attached to the spine). The discectomy is then performed with the small instruments.