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C1-7 Discs

The intervertebral discs located in the cervical spine (or neck), known as the C1-7 discs, are particularly vulnerable to pain-inducing conditions. This is because the relative flexibility of the neck results in a lot of wear and tear as we turn our heads in multiple directions, day-in and day-out. Furthermore, the elasticity of intervertebral discs in the neck can break down over time, causing vertebrae to rub against one another. This can lead to bone spurs that impinge and irritate nerve roots, creating pain, weakness or discomfort in the upper spine and other parts of the body.

Most problems within the C1-7 discs occur toward the bottom of the cervical spine, among the C4-C7 vertebrae. As you might expect, impinged or irritated nerve roots within the upper spine typically generate symptoms in the upper body. When a condition such as cervical herniated disc is present, a preliminary diagnosis of the location of the nerve impingement might be made based on the area of the body affected by these symptoms:

• C4-5 – weakness in the upper arms and shoulder pain
• C5-6 – weakness in the biceps and wrist muscles, and radiating numbness or tingling toward the thumbs
• C6-7 – weakness in the triceps and fingers, and radiating numbness or tingling toward the middle fingers
• C7-T1 (between the lowest cervical vertebra and the uppermost thoracic vertebra) – weakness in the hands and radiating numbness or tingling toward the little fingers

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Herniated disc symptoms that originate with the C1-7 discs generally can be managed non-surgically, using conservative treatment that includes rest, pain medicine, exercise, and physical therapy. If chronic neck pain persists after weeks or months of conservative treatment, your doctor might present surgery as an option.

Laser Spine Institute (LSI) offers an alternative to traditional disc surgery, using gentle, endoscopic techniques performed on an outpatient basis. Contact LSI for a free review of your MRI or CT scan, or to learn how a minimally invasive procedure can help you rediscover a life without pain.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.