“Arthritis” in the thoracolumbar junction (T11-T12) is most commonly due to Scheuermann’s disorder, a process that initially occurs when you are young but sometimes “waits” until you are older to become painful. This “arthritis” can also occur from fracture as this is the most common area for a spine fracture. There are some patients that just wear this area out (which is what degenerative arthritis really is).
Treatment options depend upon the source of pain (it may be something else other that the worn discs at T11-12).
Dr. Corenman
