Vertebral Affected Pain referral
space root
Shoulder, trapezius
C5
Trapezius, tip of shoulder,
radiation to anterior upper
C6
arm, thumbs, index finger
(1,2)
Cervical Shoulder, axilla, posterior
C7 arm, elbow, 2 and 3 fingers
Medial forearm, 4&5
T1 (C8) fingers, hypoesthesia
Anterior thigh, over knee
L3
Anterior thigh, medial
L4 foreleg muscles,
quadriceps muscle
Lumbar Posterogluteal lateral
thigh, anterolateral foreleg,
dorsal root, lateral
L5
maleolus, I, II, II toes
Midgluteal, posterior thigh,
posterior of leg, lateral
Sacral S1 foot, heel, lateral toes
Weakness Reflex changes Additional features
Supra & infraspinatus, Slight decrease of
deltoid, slight biceps biceps jerk
weakness
Biceps, brachioradialis, Decrease biceps Tenderness over spine of scapula in
extensor carpii radialis jerk supinator suprascapular region paraesthesia in I,II
fingers
Triceps, wrist extensors, Decrease / absent Tenderness over medial scapula &
2 & 3 finger extensors triceps jerk suprascapular region of triceps
paraesthesia in most fingers.
Insintric hand muscle May have Mimic ulnar palsy
(m.interosseus & plexus carporadial reflex
of fingers) wrist flexors decrease
Thigh adductor, Absent / decrease -
quadriceps knee jerk
Anterior tibial and Decrease / absent Can’t extend knee, have sensation of
partial foot, deep knee jerk medial knee and anterior calf.
(sometimes)
Extensor hallucis longus, Unaffected (except Cannot extend feet (cannot walk on
extensor digiti brevis, posterior tibial) heel) pain with straight leg, raised,
some weakness of variant test tenderness over 4th lumbar
anterior tibialis, lateral process and lateral gluteal
sometimes with foot region
drop
Plantar – flexes Absent / decrease Patient cannot flex toes. Pain with
hamstring muscles (m. knee jerk straight legs rising and tenderness over
gastrocnemius) lumbosacral (L5 – S1) joint & sciatic
notch discomfort, hypoesthesia on
lateral part of foot and 5th toe.