The C7 dermatome is one of the common regions to observe signs and symptoms of a herniated C6-C7 disc. This includes feeling a lack of sensation in the palm, index, and middle finger.
Cervical nerve 7 controls your triceps and wrist extensor muscles. C7 provides sensation to the back of your arm into your middle finger. Cervical nerve 8 controls your hands and gives sensation to the pinky side of your hand and forearm.
C6 sensation:
includes thumb side of lower forearm. thumb (radial nerve) first finger (median nerve)
C6-C7 (C7 nerve root): Pain, tingling, and/or numbness may radiate into the hand and middle finger. Weakness may also be felt in the triceps (muscles in the back of the upper arm), finger extensors, and other muscles.
The last of the cervical nerves, C8, allows you to grasp things and flex your fist. If you feel a pins-and-needles sensation, a notable weakness, or a numbing in your fourth finger or pinky finger, or if you've been unable to grip things, C8 may be the culprit.
When a cervical nerve root in the neck becomes inflamed or compressed, such as from a bone spur or herniated disc, neurologic deficits of tingling, numbness, and/or weakness may be felt in the shoulder, arm, hand, and/or fingers. Cervical radiculopathy may sometimes be accompanied by shock-like pain.
The changes that happen from an injury or aging may put pressure on a nearby nerve root, pinching it. This causes symptoms such as sharp pain in your neck, shoulder, arm, hand, or back. You may also have tingling or numbness.
Surgical Treatment for C6-C7
Common surgeries performed in the C6-C7 motion segment include: Surgery to remove all or part of a disc. Removal of a herniated or degenerated disc may help relieve pressure on compressed nerve roots, reducing radicular pain.
You can usually resume light activities two weeks after the injury, and it takes around six weeks to fully heal.
Cervical radiculopathy from the C6 spine level (where the median nerve originates) will often cause pain and symptoms along the arm and in the bicep, as well as in the hand. Aside from these 3 causes, hand pain can also be caused by a variety of other conditions, including diabetes and nutritional issues.
It has been reported that cervical radiculopathy may occur along with arm pain in 99% of patients, sensory changes in 85%, and neck pain in 80% of cases [9]. In C5–C6 radiculopathy, the pain usually radiates to the upper trapezoidal area, the deltoid region, and the lateral portion of the arm [10, 11].
C6 Radiculopathy – C6 patients may experience pain or weakness from the neck along the arm, including the biceps, wrists, thumb, and index finger. C7 Radiculopathy – C7 radiculopathy is the most common and sufferers report pain or weakness from the neck to the hand, including the triceps and the middle finger.
The C6 C7 spinal motion segment is located in the lower part of the cervical spine and consists of the C6 and C7 vertebrae, and the anatomical structures connecting them. This segment helps provide neck flexibility, supports the cervical spine and head, and protects the spinal cord and nerve pathways.
Individuals with a C7 spinal cord injury in particular may have limited or absent sensation (feeling) or movement below the shoulders and/or neck. This can make it difficult to move or feel anything in the lower body, trunk, and sometimes even in the hands and fingers.
Injury to the lower cervical nerves and/or the spinal cord may result in paralysis of the upper and lower extremities (arms and legs) and can cause bowel and bladder dysfunction.
It develops when one or more of the cushioning discs in the cervical spine starts to break down due to wear and tear. There may be a genetic component that predisposes some people to more rapid wear. Injury may also accelerate and sometimes cause the development of the degenerative changes.
When a C6-C7 herniated disc occurs and the C6-C7 nerve root is irritated, the symptoms usually include neck pain and pain in the arms, weakness in the hands and weakness in the arms, shoulder pain, chest pains, uncontrollable sweating, headaches, and possibly more. Many times, this condition can be misdiagnosed.
C7 spinal cord injury and other injuries to the lower cervical vertebrae/nerves can result in paralysis and other health complications.
Surgeons should bear in mind the possibility of disorders of caudal C6–7 when they encounter patients with no or few symptoms in their hands and with leg weakness or numbness.
Pinched nerves can last from a few days to about a month, depending on how you treat it. It is typically a temporary condition that you can treat on your own, but it's important to not ignore long-lasting or acute pain as it could be the sign of a bigger problem.
C5, as mentioned earlier, along with C3 and C4, contributes to the phrenic nerve that innervates the diaphragm. Roots C5, C6, and C7 produce the long thoracic nerve, responsible for controlling the serratus anterior.
1) Side-lying position: This sleeping position is achieved by lying on your side with a pillow between your legs. It will help keep your spine aligned and take pressure off your herniated disc. 2) Back-lying position: When you sleep on your back, using a pillow under your knees is vital to keep your spine in alignment.