{"id":14067,"date":"2023-01-19T12:45:44","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T11:45:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.physiotutors.com\/?post_type=condition&p=14067"},"modified":"2026-10-15T18:25:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T16:25:13","slug":"thoracolumbar-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"condition","link":"https:\/\/www.physiotutors.com\/conditions\/thoracolumbar-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"Thoracolumbar Syndrome"},"featured_media":13752,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":""},"tracking_tag":[2317,2192,2191],"class_list":["post-14067","condition","type-condition","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tracking_tag-head-spine","tracking_tag-lumbar-sij","tracking_tag-thoracic"],"acf":{"free_access":"","app_link":"https:\/\/app.physiotutors.com\/add-ons\/5746ad5b-a9fc-41c3-a039-c478f45d7824","sections":[{"acf_fc_layout":"page-header-detail-page","background":{"background_image":13752,"background_image_alt_text":"Thoracolumbar Syndrome"},"heading":"Thoracolumbar Syndrome | Diagnosis & Treatment","subheading":"Lumbar Spine","content_editor":"","button_type":"url","button_label":"","button_style":"button-five","button_internal_link":4646,"button_anchor":"","button_url":"https:\/\/study.physiotutors.com\/course\/orthopedic-physiotherapy-of-the-spine\/","button_file":null,"label":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"submenu","links":[{"button_type":"anchor","button_label":"Introduction & Pathomechanism","button_internal_link":null,"button_anchor":"section-number-3","button_url":"","button_file":null},{"button_type":"anchor","button_label":"Clinical Picture & Examination","button_internal_link":null,"button_anchor":"section-number-4","button_url":"","button_file":null},{"button_type":"anchor","button_label":"Treatment","button_internal_link":null,"button_anchor":"section-number-5","button_url":"","button_file":null},{"button_type":"anchor","button_label":"Free course","button_internal_link":null,"button_anchor":"section-number-6","button_url":"","button_file":null}],"dropdown_label":"Go to","button_right":{"button_type":"internal_link","button_label":"Try Premium free","button_style":"button-three","button_internal_link":26802,"button_anchor":"","button_url":"","button_file":""},"button_description":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content-with-sidebar","content_editor":"

Thoracolumbar Syndrome | Diagnosis & Treatment<\/h2>\r\n \r\n

Introduction & Pathophysiology<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nPatient\u2019s who present with low back pain, but also ipsilateral gluteal and groin pain may be experiencing referred pain from spinal nociception from the thoracolumbar junction, abbreviated as TLJ. Robert Maigne first described thoracolumbar syndrome in 1974, which is why this syndrome is commonly known as Maigne\u2019s syndrome.\r\n
\r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UKpZ4Cc8ojU[\/embed]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\nPathomechanism<\/strong><\/em>\r\n\r\nThe TLJ may be more susceptible to biomechanical disturbance due to lower stability compared to the thoracic spine as the last two ribs not being attached to the sternum. Furthermore, it is an area where the alignment of the facet joints changes from the frontal plane in the thoracic facets to the Sagittal plane in the lumbar facets. This transitional position might make the TLJ more susceptible to overload.\r\n\r\nThe pathomechanism is similar to that of lumbar facet syndrome. Irritation of the facet joints and\/or articular capsule and\/or excessive paraspinal muscle tone may cause irritation of neural structures and produce clinical symptoms.\r\n\r\nThese neural structures are the dorsal rami, but also the ventral rami of the lower thoracic and upper lumbar nerve roots from T11 to L2."},{"acf_fc_layout":"content-with-sidebar","content_editor":"

Clinical Picture & Examination<\/h3>\r\nNext to tenderness upon palpation and pressure of the TLJ, irritation of the dorsal rami in the TLJ area can refer pain to the unilateral iliac crest and upper gluteal region. Irritation of the ventral rami of the TLJ region can lead to unilateral pseudovisceral pain in the hypogastric area, false sciatic neuralgia, tenderness of the pubic symphysis, and hypersensitivity of the intestines.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_13752\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"703\"]\"Thoracolumbar From: http:\/\/drmorgan.info\/clinicians-corner\/maigne-s-syndrome\/<\/a>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nPain is triggered by extension and\/or rotation and does not cross the body\u2019s midline as the nociceptive structures are only innervated unilaterally.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nExamination<\/strong><\/em>\r\n\r\nBe aware that Maigne\u2019s syndrome is a rather rare clinical pattern. It is therefore advisable to first exclude the lower lumbar spine, the SI joint, and the hip as the responsible areas of nociception. The following orthopedic tests or test batteries are recommended to exclude these areas:\r\n