There are many causes of mid-back pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, back pain, including mid-back pain, is one of the most common reasons for visits to the doctor and missed work. Mid-back pain manifests anywhere from the shoulder blades to the upper lumbar spine in the lower back. Mid-back pain can be caused by a traumatic injury, overuse injuries and certain health conditions.
Discitis
Discitis can cause mid-back pain. According to the Dynamic Chiropractic website, discitis refers to an inflammatory reaction that occurs in an intervertebral disc, a cartilaginous disc that lies between two vertebrae. Discitis-related inflammation and pain is usually caused by a bacterial or fungal infection of the spinal disc. In most cases, the infection also involves the nearby vertebral bodies, which in turn causes osteomyelitis or an infection of the bone. When infection affects both the vertebral bodies and the spinal discs, the condition is known as spondylodiscitis. Discitis-related infection can cause serious health complications if it's allowed to progress. Possible complications include debilitating neurological injuries and even death, in some cases. All parts of the spine can be affected by discitis, including the thoracic spine or mid-back.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis can cause mid-back pain. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases--a division of the National Institutes of Health--states that tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial infection that spreads from one person to another through the air. According to a 2002 study by B. Dass and colleagues published in the journal Spinal Cord, although it is rare, Pott's disease, also known as tuberculosis of the spine, still occurs in people from developed nations, including the United States and Europe. One of the most common symptoms of Pott's disease is back pain, including mid-back pain. Collapse of the vertebral bodies is another common finding in a person with Pott's disease, especially among elderly women with tuberculosis. Other possible signs and symptoms associated with spinal tuberculosis include fever, unexplained weight loss, anorexia or loss of appetite, clumsiness and balance problems.
Compression Fractures
Compression fractures of the vertebrae or spinal bones can cause mid-back pain. Over 700,000 Americans suffer compression fractures every year, according to the Spine Universe website. One of the most common causes of vertebral compression fractures or collapse of the vertebral bodies is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that gradually weakens bones, causing them to become brittle and vulnerable to fracture after even minor trauma. Vertebral compression fractures cause excruciating pain in the affected area, vertebral deformities and an observable loss of height. In some cases, compression fractures can affect nerve roots--offshoots of the spinal cord that exit the spinal column through a hole called the intervertebral foramen. The Spine Universe website states that vertebral compression fractures are more common than hip fractures and can cause prolonged disability.
