A herniated cervical disc is more than just a sore neck.
When a disc between the vertebrae gets damaged, the soft center pushes out and can press on nearby nerves. It’s especially common in the C4/C5 and C5/C6 areas, where there is constant movement and stress. Damage in that area can cause intense pain, stiffness, and other symptoms that reach far beyond the neck itself.
Many people don’t realize how often accidents lead to this type of injury. It’s not just high-impact crashes or extreme sports. Everyday incidents can put enough force on the neck to cause a disc to herniate. The symptoms can take time to show, which makes it easy to miss the connection between the accident and the injury.
C5/C6 Disc Herniation Symptoms to Watch for
The signs of a herniated disc at C5/C6 vary from person to person, but certain patterns are common. Pain often starts in the neck and may spread into the shoulder and down the arm. Tingling or numbness in the hand or fingers can also occur. Some people feel weakness in the arm that makes it harder to grip objects or lift anything heavy.
Because the C5/C6 level controls certain muscles in the arms and hands, nerve compression in that area can make everyday tasks difficult. Turning the head, reaching overhead, or even typing at a desk can become painful. These symptoms can be constant or come in waves, which may worsen with certain movements or positions.
How Accidents Can Cause C4/C5 and C5/C6 Injuries
Accidents create sudden movements that the neck isn’t ready for. In a car crash, for example, the head can whip forward and back in a fraction of a second. That motion can squeeze or tear the discs in the cervical spine.
The space is already tight at C4/C5 and C5/C6. Once the disc material pushes out, it can pinch the nerves that run through the neck into the shoulders, arms, and hands.
Falls are another common cause. Landing in a way that jars the head or neck can send enough force through the spine to damage the discs. Even if there’s no direct hit to the neck, the impact can still transfer upward.
Sports collisions, heavy lifting accidents, and bike crashes can cause similar injuries. In all of these cases, the injury happens fast, but the pain and effects can last for months or even longer.
The Long-Term Effects of Herniated Disc in Neck Injuries
If a herniated disc in the neck isn’t treated, it can lead to lasting problems. Chronic pain is the most obvious, but nerve compression can also cause long-term weakness or loss of function in parts of the arm and hand. In severe cases, there’s a risk of permanent nerve damage. That’s why medical care is so important, even if the pain initially feels manageable.
These issues can impact more than just physical health. They can limit work abilities, make hobbies harder to enjoy, and disrupt daily life. And the emotional toll can be just as heavy as the physical pain.
Contact Our Ogden Personal Injury Attorneys at Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Herniated discs in the neck can come from many kinds of accidents, and their effects reach far beyond the initial injury. Whether the cause is a car crash, fall, or sports accident, the damage at C4/C5 or C5/C6 can disrupt daily life in lasting ways. Knowing how they happen and what signs to look for can help people make sense of what they’re going through after an accident.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a C4/C5 or C5/C6 herniated disc injury caused by someone else’s negligence, call Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. Our Ogden personal injury attorneys can help you determine how much your case might be worth.
We have several convenient locations in Utah, including Midvale, Salt Lake City, Ogden & Provo, UT. Clients can also visit our offices in Idaho Falls, ID & Rock Springs, WY.
We proudly serve Weber County, Utah County, Salt Lake County in Utah, Bonneville County in Idaho, Sweetwater County in Wyoming, and their surrounding areas.
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Salt Lake City Office
466 S. 500 E., Suite 100,
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 851-1202
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Midvale Office
7090 Union Park Ave, #160,
Midvale, UT 84047
(801) 845-0440
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Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Ogden Office
2510 S Washington Blvd, Suite 160,
Ogden, UT 84401
(385) 402-8187
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Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Provo Office
37 E Center St, Suite 300,
Provo, UT 84606
(801) 876-4107
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Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Rock Springs Office
531 N Front St,
Rock Springs, WY 82901
(307) 205-7400
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Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Idaho Falls Office
2235 East 25th St. Suite #280,
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 418-0633
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