What nerves are affected by C7 C8?

C7 helps control the triceps (the large muscle on the back of the arm that straightens the elbow) and wrist extensor muscles. The C7 dermatome goes down the back of the arm and into the middle finger. C8 helps control the hands, such as finger flexion (handgrip).

What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve at C8?

C7-T1 (C8 nerve root): Pain, tingling, and/or numbness may be felt in the outer forearm and pinky side of the hand. Weakness may also be experienced in finger flexors (handgrip) and other muscles.

What does C7 C8 control?

The C8 level corresponds to the region in which nerve roots exit the spine between the cervical spine’s C7 vertebra and the thoracic spine’s T1 vertebra. There is not a corresponding vertebra for C8. This nerve root is responsible for controlling muscles in the fingers and hands.

How is C8 radiculopathy treated?

Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion (ACDF) ACDF is the most commonly performed procedure to treat cervical radiculopathy. The procedure involves removing the problematic disk or bone spurs and then stabilizing the spine through spinal fusion.

What causes C8 radiculopathy?

The most common causes of cervical radiculopathy are when a nerve root becomes inflamed or damaged due to a nearby bone spur or cervical herniated disc, such as from spinal degeneration over time or an injury. Many other less common causes of cervical radiculopathy are possible, such as infection or tumor.

How do you treat a pinched nerve in the C8?

Nonsurgical Treatments

1. Rest or activity modification.
2. Physical therapy.
3. Ice and/or heat therapy.
4. Medications.
5. Cervical epidural steroid injection.
6. Manual manipulation.
7. Cervical traction.

What is C8 radiculopathy?

The sensory innervation zone of C8 is the ulnar two digits and the medial aspect of the forearm. C8 radiculopathy is characterized by radicular neck pain, hand weakness, and sensory deficit of the ulnar fingers and medial forearm.

What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve at C7?

When the C7 nerve is compressed or irritated, additional complaints may follow, such as:

• Pain from the neck radiating to the shoulder down to the middle finger.
• Numbness in the palm, index finger, and middle finger.
• Weakness in the upper arm, forearm, elbow, and wrist; affecting the motion of these regions.

What helps C8 pain?

If you have mild symptoms, you might find relief from:

1. rest.
2. soft cervical collar.
3. hot or cold compress.
4. practicing good posture.
5. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
6. acupuncture.
7. massage.
8. yoga.

What happens if cervical radiculopathy is left untreated?

If left undiagnosed and untreated, cervical radiculopathy can cause severe neck pain that extends to the chest, arms, upper back, and/or shoulders. Over time, the weakness in the limbs can slow down reflexes, thereby inducing severe incoordination that affects the person’s daily life.

How common is C8 radiculopathy?

CONCLUSIONS: C8 radiculopathy was an uncommon diagnosis accounting for 2% of diagnoses from 5,995 EMGs performed over an 8-year period.