“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
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
