C6, C7, C8 Definitions. Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Recovery.

C6 Vertebrae Injury, C7 Vertebrae Injury, and C8 Injury are all defined. C6, C7, & C8 Anatomy is described. Cervical Spinal Injury treatments, as well as C6 Vertebrae, C7 Vertebrae, C8 Level recoveries are all discussed.
C6 Spinal Vertebra Defined
The C6 spinal vertebra is part of the cervical spinal cord, located in the lowest region of the neck. The C6 nerve roots, which exit the spinal column between the C6 vertebra and the C7 vertebra, directly affects the control of the muscles in the forearms and wrists.
C7 Spinal Vertebra Defined
The C7 vertebra sits directly below the C6 spinal vertebra and is part of the lower levels of the cervical spine, near the base of the neck. It is the last vertebral level in the cervical spine column, which includes levels C1 - C7.
C8 Spinal Nerve Defined
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.
Functions of C6, C7, and C8
These vertebrae protect the spinal cord, including the C8 nerve. Each vertebrae has a hollow, bony tunnel called the spinal canal which shields the spinal cord. The locations of C6 and C7 vertebrae allow them to support both the neck and the head. In addition to supporting the head, the cervical spinal column also allows for the neck and head’s range of motion.
The C6 also provides blood flow to the brain. The vertebra has openings to allow blood vessels to travel through it to the brain.
The C8 spinal nerve allows the brain to send motor controls for muscle movements. The C8 nerve helps control the hands, including finger flexion (handgrip) and the forearm.
Causes of Cervical Spinal Injuries
The most common causes of cervical spinal cord injuries are:
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Falls
• Trauma
• Tumors
• Disease
• Birth defects
C6, C7, and C8 Injury Symptoms
Symptoms of a C6 Level Spinal Cord Injury
C6 injury symptoms may be experienced on one or both sides of the body, depending upon the extent of the damage. Survivors of injuries at this level may be able to drive a modified car with hand controls.
Patients with spinal cord tissue or nerve damage near the C6 vertebra often experience a false case of carpal tunnel syndrome. The patient will likely have numbness and / or tingling in the fingers, hands, and arms. Therapy, such as C6 spinal cord injury exercises, may address these issues.
The patient may also experience the following:
• Paralysis in the legs, torso, and/or hands
• Inability to control nerves that impact wrist extension
• Inability to control bladder and bowel function
• Ability to speak, but breathing may be taxed
Symptoms of a C7 Level Spinal Cord Injury
Having C7 vertebrae pain is an indicator of damage to this vertebrae. A survivor of a C7 SCI will likely have full neck movement but may sense tingling and numbness in the hands and fingers, as well as referred pain in the shoulder blade.
Symptoms of a C7 SCI include:
• Burning pain in the shoulder blade and/or back of the arms (triceps)
• Some ability to extend shoulders, arms, and fingers but dexterity may be compromised in the hands and/or fingers
• Lack of control of their bowels and bladder
• Breathing may be taxed though the patient should not need ventilation
Symptoms of a C8 Level Spinal Nerve Injury
Types of spinal cord injury to this area have similar symptoms to those at the C6 and C7 levels. Depending upon the completeness, a C8 injury will lead to paralysis of the legs, trunk, and hands, with patients maintaining shoulder and arm movement.
Treatment for C6, C7, & C8 Injuries
Treatment for these types of spinal cord injury are aimed at retaining as much function as possible while regaining lost function. Several therapy options may be tried to aid in spinal cord damage recovery.
• Physical therapy is a very important part of recovery. The patient will need to maintain any function not lost by the cord damage, as well as try to regain function. For instance, C7 and C6 spinal cord injury exercises may help speed up recovery.
• Surgery is done to stabilize the area around the spinal cord damage. The nerves around the damage are decompressed in hopes of relieving some of the symptoms. Fusion is then achieved by fixing the areas in and around the spinal cord damage.
• Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs are implemented to aid in recovering as much motor and / or sensory function as possible by reducing the inflammation in the area of cord damage.
Mental therapy for a C8 injury and vertebrae damage is also a very important part of treating a spinal cord injury patient. The therapist can help the patient deal with the emotional side of recovery.

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