Cervicothoracic Junction Disc Herniations Respond to Manahawkin Chiropractic

Thoracic disc herniations. They’re not very ordinary. They are not mentioned much. But thoracic disc herniations do exist. The C7/T1 disc herniations are even more unusual and are shared in the spine literature more because of their unusualness. Manahawkin Chiropractic Center welcomes unusual! Unusual merits care and attention. Manahawkin Chiropractic Center cares for unusual presentations like thoracic disc herniations, especially those at the C7/T1 level of the spine aka the cervicothoracic junction where the neck joins 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 does not normally have Luschka joints. These joints secure the intervertebral discs in place and decrease the risk of herniation. They allow flexion and extension and limit the extent of lateral flexion in the neck. One medical report documents a rare existence 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 anticipated. (1) Be confident that your Manahawkin 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 are inclined to be misdiagnosed due 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 vertebra and the T1 vertebra. (4) These nerves are positioned above the C8 disc making it unusual for a disc herniation to press on the C8 nerve. (5) Nonetheless 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 also suggests of ulnar neuropathy). (3,4) It will not confuse your Manahawkin chiropractor though! Manahawkin Chiropractic Center is ready with the tests to do and questions to ask to make the diagnosis.

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