The spine is broken up into three areas: cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. The cervical region covers the first seven vertebrae in the spine, and the middle 12 vertebrae are in the thoracic region, located between the neck and the upper back.Disc herniation occurs when the central portion of the spinal disc (nucleus pulposus) collapses inward to the spinal canal and presses against the nerves.The San Diego spinal cord injury lawyers who work at our firmknow that herniated cervical and thoracic discs can occur or be made worse due to a variety of factors, including a car accident. Many of our clients that have herniated discs experience pain and suffering and have to pay back high medical bills from the surgery to fix your spinal cord injury.In addition to auto accidents, there are several other ways to make a pre-existing herniated disc worse. The most common cause of disc herniation is aging, but many smokers, truck drivers, jack hammer construction workers and others that perform repetitive and vibratory activities suffer herniated discs.
Whats The Difference Between Herniated Cervical Disc And Herniated Thoracic Disc?
Herniated cervical or thoracic discs differ from lumbar herniations in three ways:- Herniated cervical and thoracic discs occur on the portion of the spine that includes the spinal cord.
- The thoracic spine is surrounded by the rib cage (and hence fewer herniated discs occur in the thoracic region).
- Herniated thoracic discs typically occur in older people and usually do not have any symptoms (or pain).