C8 Disc Herniations Respond to Sitka Chiropractic

Thoracic disc herniations. They are not very common. They’re not talked about 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. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka welcomes unusual! Unusual calls for care and attention. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka cares for unusual presentations like thoracic disc herniations, especially those at the C7/T1 spinal level which is also known as the cervicothoracic junction where the neck joins with the upper back.

C7/T1 disc herniations are unusual from their neighbors, 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 hold the intervertebral discs in place and reduce the risk of herniation. They allow flexion and extension and restrain the extent of lateral flexion in the cervical spine. There is a report of a rare episode of a central C7/T1 disc herniation that produced lower extremity numbness and weakness in addition to 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 Sitka chiropractor will do a careful examination and work out the source of your pain with awareness of unusual incidences like this.

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) cause weakness in hand muscles.  The C8 nerve roots extend outward between the C7 and T1 vertebrae. (4) These nerves are positioned above the C8 disc making it unusual for a disc herniation to press on 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 sometimes confuses the case as pain here is also indicative of ulnar neuropathy). (3,4) It will not be confusing to your Sitka chiropractor though! Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka knows the tests to do and questions to ask to determine the diagnosis.

Listen to a podcast about neck pain helped with Cox Technic.