Thoracic disk herniation: A case report

Objective: Thoracic disk herniations are relatively rare events that often mimic other, more serious disorders. This article discusses the case of a patient with thoracic disk herniation who required unusual treatment to aid resolution of her condition. Clinical Features: The patient, who had a complicated history of prior lumbar disk surgery, sustained a fall onto her buttocks and developed low back and bilateral leg pain. Initial suspicion was of reinjury of the L5 disk. Intervention and Outcome: Light force spinal manipulation, physical therapies, and eventual cosmetic surgery were able to resolve the condition successfully. Conclusions: A clinical situation often may require thinking "outside the box" in order for the patient's condition to be resolved. The failure of symptoms to correspond to the suspected condition should increase the suspicion that another problem may be present.