Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers | November 20, 2025 | Personal Injury
Herniated discs are painful injuries that can leave a victim struggling with stiffness, loss of range of motion in the affected area, and many other symptoms that impact their daily life.
It’s possible to suffer a herniation anywhere in the spine as a result of a car accident, slip and fall, or other mishap. However, two discs are more vulnerable to trauma than others. These are the discs that sit between C4/C5 and C5/C6. Contact a personal injury attorney to learn more about these injuries and what to do after sustaining one.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
The vertebrae, or the bones that make up the spine, have squishy discs between them to act as a cushion, preventing the bones from rubbing together and allowing for maximum spinal movement.
These discs contain a soft, gel-like substance that can bulge out as a result of trauma or sufficient wear and tear, putting pressure on nearby nerves and other structures. When this happens, it’s known as a herniated disc.
C4/C5 and C5/C6 Discs
The C4 and C5 vertebrae are part of the cervical spine, which supports the neck. Having a herniated disc in this area can mean experiencing issues with the nerves that control your hands and arms. Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation that can travel down to the fingertips.
If the herniation occurs between the C5/C6 vertebrae, it’s not just the arms that are affected but the shoulders, too.
C5/C6 disc-herniation symptoms frequently include:
- Lack of strength when lifting objects (especially overhead)
- Weakness in the biceps
- Pain in the shoulder, neck, upper back, and arms
- Decreased range of motion
One of the most common causes of injuries to the C4/C5 and C5/C6 discs is collisions. Speeding accidents and rear-end crashes can cause the head to whip back and forth, straining the neck muscles and subjecting the discs in this region of the spine to significant pressure. These injuries can also occur due to overuse.
Long-Term Effects of a Herniated Disc in the Neck
This type of injury demands immediate medical attention. Not getting treatment for a herniation can result in the development of chronic pain. Everything from sitting to lifting your arm could be painful.
Having the nerves compressed for a long time often results in permanent nerve damage. Harm of this kind can lead to lasting sensations of numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms or hands. Your range of motion could also be severely limited, and it may become difficult to turn your head.
Additionally, some injury victims can experience debilitating headaches. Some people develop migraines from the pressure the disc puts on the nerves in the neck. Muscle weakness can be an issue, too, making it difficult to manage daily tasks.
In the most severe cases, prolonged pressure from a herniated disc could cause the spinal canal to narrow. This is called spinal stenosis, and it will ultimately lead to more pain and pressure on the spinal cord.
Contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation With a Charles County Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve suffered a herniated disc injury—especially at C4/C5 or C5/C6—after an accident in Charles County, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain, and lost income. The experienced Charles County personal injury attorneys at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers are ready to evaluate your case and fight for the justice you deserve.
Call us today for a free consultation.
For more information, please contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a confidential consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, Waldorf, Annapolis, and Lexington Park, Maryland.
We proudly serve Charles County, Prince George’s County, and its surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Waldorf Office
8 Post Office Rd Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 932-9997
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Lanham Office
4600 Forbes Blvd Ste #200 Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 936-0011
Available 24/7