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StatPearls, LLC

  • Back Pain
  • Cholecystitis
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement
  • Myocardial Infarction
  • Nephrolithiasis

Thoracic Discogenic Syndrome

Thoracic discogenic syndrome is an uncommon source of back pain characterized by unique and nonspecific symptoms. Most thoracic disk herniations are without symptoms and are typically found incidentally during magnetic resonance imaging. Individuals experiencing symptoms related to thoracic discogenic syndrome may present with pain in the chest wall, epigastric region, and upper extremities, and sometimes in the groin or lower extremities. This can lead clinicians to explore alternative diagnoses such as lumbosacral radiculopathy, myocardial infarction, nephrolithiasis, and cholecystitis. The thoracic spine’s particular orientation, structure, and function within the vertebral column contribute to the low incidence of thoracic discogenic syndrome. The majority of cases are due to degeneration of the intervertebral disks. However, some may be due to trauma typically caused by twisting or torsional movements when participating in sports that require axial rotation of the spine. Management of thoracic discogenic syndrome is primarily conservative but becomes surgical if a patient presents with myelopathy or fails conservative measures. The anatomy of the thoracic spine makes surgical decompression technically challenging, posing a higher risk of spinal cord compromise. All patients with thoracic discogenic syndrome require a rehabilitative program focusing on proper body mechanics, posture, and strengthening of the back, abdominal, and gluteal muscles. This activity describes the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of thoracic discogenic syndrome, providing healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to improve patient care for this complex condition while highlighting the role of the interprofessional team in the care of affected patients.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

AAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 2 creditsAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 2 creditsNursingUp to 2 creditsPharmacyUp to 2 credits

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 2 pointsABOS — Accredited CMEUp to 2 pointsABPATH — Lifelong LearningUp to 2 pointsABA — Lifelong LearningUp to 2 pointsABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 2 pointsABIM — Medical KnowledgeUp to 2 pointsABS — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 pointsABTS — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 points

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Cross-Specialty

Relevant across 6 specialties.

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • Credit · Up to 2 credits
  • MOC · Up to 2 points
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

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