“Herniated disc T7-8?”

I have had a herniated disc at T7-8 for over 20 years. I had a MRI Oct 2017 - There is mild irregularity of superior endplate of T10 and inferior endplate of T11, in keeping with Schmorl’s nodes with no evidence of active edema at this time. Marrow signal is minimally heterogeneous but appears otherwise normal with no active inflammation or suspicious lesions seen. A focal central disc hernia is appreciated at T7-T8, measuring 6 mm transverse diameter and with posterior herniation by 4 mm seen. This does contact the anterior surface of the cord but there is no significant spinal stenosis or cord compression seen. There is no foraminal stenosis as there is no extension of the disc herniation into the foramen.

The remainder of the intervertebral discs appear normal with no hernia or significant bulging at any other level. I had another MRI June 2020 - Schmorl’s node defects are again seen along the superior endplate of T10 and the inferior endplate of T11. The previously noted focal disc protrusion at the T7-T8 level is less prominent than on the last examination. There is only minimal effacement of the anterior thecal sac with no contact of the cord. There is a smaller central disc protrusion also at the T6-T7 level also with only minimal contact of the thecal sac. There is no evidence of spinal or foraminal stenosis within the thoracic spine. Could the second herniation at T6-7 be the reason for the herniation at T7-8 to be smaller on the last MRI?