Thoracic disc herniations. They’re not very ordinary. They are not discussed
much. But thoracic disc herniations do exist. The C7/T1 disc herniations are
even more unusual and are presented in the spine literature
more because of their unusualness. Chiropractic Associates welcomes
unusual! Unusual merits care and attention.
Chiropractic Associates tends to unusual presentations like thoracic
disc herniations, especially those at the C7/T1 level of the spine which is also known as the cervicothoracic
junction where the neck joins 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 typically have Luschka joints. These joints secure
the intervertebral discs in place and reduce the risk of
herniation. They permit flexion and extension and limit
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 instigated
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 expected. (1) Know that your
Preston chiropractor will do a careful examination and
figure out the source
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 owing to their unusual
neurological findings. C7/T1 disc herniations (aka herniations of the C8 disc) instigate
weakness in hand muscles. The C8 nerve
roots extend outward between the C7 vertebra and the T1 vertebra. (4) They are positioned
above the C8 disc making it unusual for a disc herniation to compress
the C8 nerve. (5) Nevertheless when it does, a C7/T1 disc
herniation usually shoots pain down the arm into the ring and
pinky fingers (which may be confusing as pain
here is also indicative of ulnar neuropathy). (3,4)
It won’t be confusing to your
Preston chiropractor though! Chiropractic Associates knows
the tests to do and questions to ask to determine the diagnosis.
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Listen to a podcast about neck pain helped with Cox Technic.
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