Thoracic disc herniations. They
are not very ordinary. They’re not mentioned
much. But thoracic disc herniations do exist. The C7/T1 disc herniations are
even more unusual and are reported in the spine literature
more because of their unusualness. Soft Health and Healing Clinic welcomes
unusual! Unusual merits care and attention.
Soft Health and Healing Clinic tends to unusual presentations like thoracic
disc herniations, especially those at the C7/T1 spinal
level aka the cervicothoracic
junction where the neck links with the upper back.
Unusual Disc Herniation
C7/T1 disc herniations are unusual
from their adjacent segments, cervical disc herniations (neck) and
thoracic disc herniations (mid-back). Why? They are inclined
to herniate laterally (out to the side) rather
than centrally. What makes that unusual? The C7/T1 disc level doesn’t normally have Luschka joints. These joints hold
the intervertebral discs in place and lessen the risk of
herniation. They allow flexion and extension and restrain
the amount of lateral flexion in the cervical spine. There is a report of a rare occurrence
of a central C7/T1 disc herniation that caused
lower extremity numbness and weakness along with
gait disturbance though in a patient who tells of no or very little hand pain or numbness that would
otherwise be anticipated. (1) Know that your
Brooks chiropractor will do a careful examination and
discern the root cause
of your pain with awareness of unusual occurrences
like this.
Symptoms of C8 Disc Herniation
C7/T1 disc herniations account
for 3.5% to 4% of all herniated cervical discs. (2,3) They tend to be misdiagnosed due to their unusual
neurological findings. C7/T1 disc herniations (aka herniations of the C8 disc) instigate
weakness in hand muscles. The C8 nerve
roots exit between the C7 vertebra and the T1 vertebra. (4) These nerves lie
above the C8 disc making it unusual for a disc herniation to press on
the C8 nerve. (5) Nonetheless when it does, a C7/T1 disc
herniation usually shoots pain down the arm into the ring and
pinky fingers (which sometimes confuses the case as pain
here also suggests of ulnar neuropathy). (3,4)
It will not be confusing to your
Brooks chiropractor though! Soft Health and Healing Clinic knows
the tests to do and questions to ask to make the diagnosis.
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Listen to a podcast about neck pain helped with Cox Technic.
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."