Cervicothoracic Junction Disc Herniations Respond to Baton Rouge Chiropractic

Thoracic disc herniations. They are not very common. 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. Spine & Sports Rehab Center welcomes unusual! Unusual merits care and attention. Spine & Sports Rehab Center tends to unusual presentations like thoracic disc herniations, specifically those at the C7/T1 level of the spine which is also known as 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 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 decrease the risk of herniation. They permit flexion and extension and limit the amount of lateral flexion in the cervical spine. One medical report documents a rare occurrence of a central C7/T1 disc herniation that instigated lower extremity numbness and weakness as well as gait disturbance though in a patient who had no or very little hand-related symptoms that would otherwise be anticipated. (1) Be confident that your Baton Rouge chiropractor will do a careful examination and discern the source of your pain with knowledge of unusual occurrences like this.

C7/T1 disc herniations make up 3.5% to 4% of all herniated cervical discs. (2,3) They are likely to be misdiagnosed owing to their unusual neurological findings. C7/T1 disc herniations (aka herniations of the C8 disc) produce weakness in hand muscles.  The C8 nerve roots exit between the C7 and T1 vertebrae. (4) They sit above the C8 disc making it unusual for a disc herniation to press on the C8 nerve. (5) But when it does, a C7/T1 disc herniation usually sends pain down the arm into the ring and pinky fingers (which may be confusing as pain here is telling of ulnar neuropathy). (3,4) It will not confuse your Baton Rouge chiropractor though! Spine & Sports Rehab Center is ready with the tests to do and questions to ask to determine the diagnosis.

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