Car accidents, slip-and-falls, sports injuries, and on-the-job accidents are common causes of herniated discs in the neck. The C4/C5/C6 area of the spine is located just above the shoulders and below where the spine connects to the brain—it is the middle and lower neck. Whiplash is associated with herniated discs in this part of the spine. This type of injury can lead to lifelong pain, limited mobility, and time-consuming treatments. In other words, it’s an injury that is truly hard to “move on” from.
Understanding Herniated Discs
The term “herniated” refers to a type of hernia, similar to what can occur in the abdomen. A hernia happens when internal tissue pushes through a weakened or torn area in the surrounding structure. In the case of a herniated disc, the soft, cushion-like material between two vertebrae protrudes out of place. This bulging disc can lead to the vertebrae pressing directly against one another, potentially causing pain, inflammation, and nerve compression due to the loss of cushioning.
A herniated disc at C4/C5 or C5/C6 is a serious injury. Herniated discs in the neck can cause:
- Numbness
- Intense pain
- Tingling sensations
- Difficulty bending the wrist toward the forearm
- Weakness in the shoulders or biceps
Herniated discs in the neck can impact your ability to bathe, stand from a seated position, eat, get dressed, use the bathroom, and more. Partial paralysis can happen in the extremities as well.
Treatments for a Herniated Disc
There are both surgical and non-surgical treatment options for herniated discs at C4/C5 and C5/C6. Regardless of how your neck injury occurred, see a doctor right away, as well as speak to a personal injury attorney about your legal rights. Early intervention with this type of neck injury is crucial. You should:
- Rest: Take it easy immediately after your accident. An extended period of bed rest can actually lead to more stiffness in your neck. Carefully start moving and stretching as soon as you can, following your doctor’s orders.
- Consider chiropractic care: This option offers a natural, drug-free alternative that can reduce inflammation, help realign your spine, improve mobility, and reduce pain.
- Take Medications: Ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce both inflammation and pain. If necessary, prescription pain medication may be used temporarily. You may even be prescribed muscle relaxers for particularly painful days.
- Consider Acupuncture: This alternative treatment causes endorphins to be released, improves blood flow, relaxes muscles, and fights inflammation.
- Consider Injections: There are a variety of injections that can help reduce herniated disc symptoms, such as corticosteroids, epidurals, and nerve blockers.
- Attend Physical Therapy: Working with a physical therapist can naturally improve your neck muscle strength and overall flexibility. You can also ask your doctor or chiropractor to give you some helpful exercises as well.
Some surgeries available for a herniated disc include: discectomy, laminectomy, spinal fusion, and disk replacement. Surgical options are generally only considered after non-surgical treatments are exhausted.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Herniated C4/C5 and C5/C6 discs are painful, life-changing injuries caused by sudden impacts. If you or a loved one has experienced a herniated disk due to an accident in California, consider reaching out to a Santa Ana personal injury attorney. A lawyer can help you gather evidence, quantify your damages, and recover the compensation you need to focus on getting better. Many personal injury law firms offer a free consultation, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
Contact Robles Babaee, Personal Injury Lawyers or Visit Our Law Firm in Santa Ana for Help Today
Robles Babaee, Personal Injury Lawyers
1851 E 1st St Suite 810, Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 263-3700