Cervicothoracic Junction Disc Herniations Respond to Carrolltown Chiropractic

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 reported in the spine literature more due to their unusualness. Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation embraces unusual! Unusual warrants care and attention. Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation cares for 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 connects with the upper back.

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 lessen the risk of herniation. They allow flexion and extension and control 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 produced 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 Carrolltown chiropractor will do a careful examination and uncover the root cause of your pain with knowledge 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 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 extend outward between the C7 and T1 vertebrae. (4) They sit above the C8 disc making it unusual for a disc herniation to compress the C8 nerve. (5) Nonetheless when it does, a C7/T1 disc herniation usually fires 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 won’t confuse your Carrolltown chiropractor though! Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation 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.