11/12/2025
◼️𝗧𝟰 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲: 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
➤ T4 syndrome is a rare condition defined primarily as a diagnosis of exclusion when other potential diagnoses do not align with the patient's clinical pattern.
➤ Symptoms typically involve upper limb paresthesia and weakness, reduced thoracic movement, and tenderness upon palpation of the T4 vertebra.
➤ Other diagnoses are more likely because T4 syndrome is rare.
◼️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘆
➤ The original theory posits symptoms arise due to the convergence of sympathetic nerve fibers at the T4 level.
➤ Sympathetic outflow to head and neck: T1–T4; upper trunk and extremities: T2–T5.
➤ Anatomical overlap may explain symptoms in neck, head, and upper extremities.
➤ Typical thoracic vertebra features six joints with neighboring vertebrae: four synovial joints and two symphyses.
➤ Vertically oriented joints limit flexion/extension but facilitate rotation.
➤ T1 and T2 nerves provide some upper-limb innervation.
➤ Thoracic and shoulder regions contain numerous potential sources of pain.
◼️ 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀
➤ Often presents following a change in normal routine such as a new job or hobby.
➤ Signs thought to result from thoracic dysfunction influencing the sympathetic nervous system.
Typical presentations include:
◼️ ➤ Paresthesia in the upper limbs and hands in a glove presentation
◼️ ➤ Neck pain
◼️ ➤ Headaches
◼️ ➤ Upper limb pain (bilateral or unilateral)
◼️ ➤ Pain around the T4 area and scapular pain
◼️ ➤ Reduced hand dexterity
◼️ ➤ Feelings of heaviness in the upper extremities
◼️ ➤ Swollen hands
◼️ ➤ Tenderness on palpation of the T4 vertebra
◼️ ➤ Thoracic spine stiffness
Less common symptoms:
◼️ ➤ Chest wall pain
◼️ ➤ Night pain
◼️ ➤ Pain on deep breathing
◼️ 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀
➤ No validated clinical criteria exist for diagnosing T4 syndrome.
➤ Radiographs not helpful for diagnosis but help rule out other conditions.
➤ Intervertebral joint around T4 considered hypomobile in patients with the syndrome.
◼️ 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 (𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀)
➤ Extensive red-flag questions must be asked due to numerous thoracic pain sources.
➤ Before manual therapy, rule out long-standing visceral issues and cancer.
Specific areas to investigate:
◼️ ➤ Cardiac conditions
◼️ ➤ Respiratory conditions
◼️ ➤ Renal conditions
◼️ ➤ Gastroesophageal conditions
◼️ ➤ Cancer (thoracic pain common with metastases)
◼️ Differential Diagnoses (DDx)
◼️ ➤ Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
◼️ ➤ Carpal tunnel syndrome
◼️ ➤ Ulnar nerve entrapment
◼️ ➤ Cervical disc disease or degeneration
◼️ ➤ Visceral disease
◼️ ➤ Neurological disease
◼️ ➤ Fibromyalgia
◼️ ➤ Myelopathy
◼️ ➤ Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
◼️ 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
➤ Objective examinations may include:
◼️ ➤ Observation of posture (sitting, standing, provocative movements)
◼️ ➤ AROM of thoracic, cervical, shoulder joints
◼️ ➤ Passive ROM of thoracic and cervical spine
◼️ ➤ Strength assessment of shoulder and cervical region
◼️ ➤ Neurological assessment (dermatomes, myotomes, reflexes)
◼️ 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
1. Pharmacology
➤ Pain management follows standard analgesia ladder.
➤ Gabapentinoids may help with neurological symptoms.
➤ Intramuscular injections of 1–2 mL 0.5% bupivacaine at the fourth thoracic paraspinal level may be considered if pain persists.
2. Physiotherapy / Manual Therapy
➤ Physiotherapy essential if pain continues and functional deficits exist.
◼️ ➤ Thoracic joint mobilization techniques (basic treatment; analgesic via sympathetic influence)
◼️ ➤ Soft tissue mobilization
◼️ ➤ Gentle skin rolling (short-term analgesic effects)
3. Exercise and Education
➤ Should address psychosocial factors, anxiety, and stress.
➤ A graded exercise program may incorporate:
◼️ ➤ Thoracic and upper limb active and passive ROM
◼️ ➤ Neurodynamic mobilizations
◼️ ➤ Trapezius and rhomboid stretches
◼️ ➤ Gradual strengthening and functional movements
◼️ ➤ Postural correction
◼️ 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆
➤ T4 syndrome is a pattern involving upper extremity paresthesia potentially linked to thoracic hypomobility or sympathetic origin.
➤ No randomized controlled trials exist on most effective interventions.
➤ Management focuses on excluding serious pathology, ruling out more likely DDx, and applying conservative treatment with manual therapy, soft tissue work, mobility exercises, and psychosocial management.