As with neck pain and low back pain, it is frequently difficult for the clinician to make a precise diagnosis in patients with pain in the region of the thoracic spine given the interplay between the thorax, upper limb, neck, low back, and the cardiorespiratory and visceral systems.
The most common musculoskeletal problems are disorders of the thoracic imervertebral joints and the numerous rib articulations as this region of the spine contributes stability to the axial skeleton. The thorax never sleeps as, even at rest, this complex interplay of joints, ligaments and muscles moves with respiration.
This online course will cover the following topics:
Assessment of thoracic pain
Thoracic intervertebral joint disorders
Costovertebral-costotransverese joint disorders
Scheurmann's disease
T4 syndrome
Chest pain
Rib trauma
Side strain