C8 Disc Herniations Respond to Auburn Chiropractic

Thoracic disc herniations. They are not very ordinary. They’re not discussed much. But thoracic disc herniations do exist. The C7/T1 disc herniations are even more unusual and are shared in the spine literature more due to their unusualness. Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. embraces unusual! Unusual deserves care and attention. Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. tends to unusual presentations like thoracic disc herniations, specifically those at the C7/T1 spinal level aka the cervicothoracic junction where the neck links 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 have a habit of herniating laterally (out to the side) instead of centrally. What makes that unusual? The C7/T1 disc level does not typically have Luschka joints. These joints secure the intervertebral discs in place and decrease 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 occurrence of a central C7/T1 disc herniation that triggered lower extremity numbness and weakness as well as 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 Auburn chiropractor will perform a careful examination and figure out the root cause of your pain with familiarity of unusual occurrences like this.

C7/T1 disc herniations make up 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 exit between the C7 vertebra and the T1 vertebra. (4) They sit 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 sends 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 won’t be confusing to your Auburn chiropractor though! Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. knows the tests to do and questions to ask to make the diagnosis.

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