The T4 syndrome is a specific clinical condition first named in 1986. It involves symptoms which arise from the upper thoracic spine. Specifically, symptoms involve the arms, hands, and upper thoracic spine. Other symptoms may include back pain, stiffness, and headaches. Patients frequently have worsening tingling paresthesias if they raise their arms above their heads, lift their arms to read the newspaper or use the telephone.
Some patients report nocturnal awakening due to numbing paresthesias of the hands.
The symptoms frequently are bilateral, but one side may be more extensively affected than the other. Dr. Mellick has found that this condition may accompany an injury or may have a non-traumatic origin. A significant number of patients have symptoms subsequent to whiplash injuries ot the cervical and thoracic spine. Other may have postural abnormalities such and thoracic spinal curvature or degenerative arthritis of the spine. Patients with this condition have historically been accused of malingering or have been given psychiatric diagnoses.