A herniated disk usually presents with specific symptoms. This helps your physician to diagnose your condition and request the appropriate tests. Sometimes the goal is to rule out other medical conditions that may cause symptoms similar to the ones you are experiencing. You can help your physician by keeping track of your symptoms. Notice what makes them worse and what makes them better. While a list of symptoms alone cannot confirm a diagnosis of a herniated disk, it does provide a place to start. This is important in the case of a herniated thoracic disk, which is less common then a disk herniation in other areas of the spine.
Lack of Symptoms
Since some degeneration of the vertebrae and disks is normal with age and wear and tear, you may have a herniated disk in the thoracic area of your spine without ever having any symptoms. The thoracic area is the middle of your back where your spine naturally curves outward. Since this area contains nerves that control the leg muscles, the symptoms you have will most likely involve your lower extremities. Exactly where your symptoms are felt and the severity of your symptoms depends on which nerves are pressed on, and if the disk is causing compression within the spinal cord.
Pain
According to the Texas Spine and Joint Hospital, the most common sign of a thoracic herniated disk is pain that starts in your back near the herniation and then radiates into one or both legs. In some cases the pain can also radiate into the chest. You may also feel like your pain is initiating from the heart, abdomen or kidneys.
Numbness and Muscle Weakness
According to the University of Maryland Spine Program, your pain may be accompanied by numbness, burning or tingling sensations in one or both legs. If the herniated disk places too much pressure on the nerves or within the spinal column, you may experience muscle weakness in one or both legs. You may also find that your reflexes are overactive, which can cause muscle spasticity in the legs. Having muscle spasticity in your legs means that your muscles are continually receiving messages to tighten and contract. Your legs will feel tight and resistant to stretching.
Complications
The Harvard Medical School claims that if there is enough pressure on the nerves you may experience a loss of bladder or bowel control and function. In cases of severe compression of the nerves you may become paralyzed from the waist down.
