Forecast | Herniated disc in the amount of C5/6

Forecast

Overall, the prognosis of a slipped disc in the cervical spine is good. In most patients, the symptoms and the herniated disc are already receding through conservative therapy. In advanced cases, surgery unfortunately cannot guarantee a complete resolution of the symptoms, but an improvement of the symptoms can occur.

Causes

With the age of man, the intervertebral disc also ages, it loses height and the load capacity of the disc decreases. This degeneration of the intervertebral disc can lead to fibre tears in the course of time, which can then lead to a herniated disc if further strain is applied. The inner core of the intervertebral disc emerges through the tear of the annulus fibrosus and leads to compression of the nerve root.

The tear in the annulus can be located at different points, so that the nucleus either emerges to the side (most common form) or to the middle of the fibrous ring. This subdivision is important because different symptoms can be observed depending on the form of exit: In the case of a lateral exit, compression of the exiting nerve root occurs, while a central exit can lead to compression of the spinal cord. In contrast, the occurrence of a herniated disc due to a single trauma is rarely observed.

Furthermore, the intervertebral disc is subject to high pressure during life, which can be up to 4 times the body weight when lifting heavy objects. Since most of the weight of the body, 62%, rests on the lumbar spine, there is more wear and tear in this area, and a slipped disc is therefore more likely here than in the cervical spine. At 36%, the cervical spine also bears a large part of the weight.

The thoracic spine carries only about 2% of the weight, so herniated discs are rare here. The narrowing of the spinal canal cannot only be caused by a herniated disc. In the cervical spine, bony attachments to the vertebral bodies are often responsible for the narrowing. The disc between the cervical vertebrae C5 and C6 is most frequently affected in the cervical spine.

Symptoms

Besides the motor part of the nerve root, the part responsible for sensitivity can also be affected by the herniated disc. In this case a numbness occurs in the skin area that supplies the affected nerve root. During compression of the nerve root C6, numbness occurs on the upper arm as well as on the forearm, pulling on the thumb side up to the thumb.

In addition to motor deficits and numbness, pain can also occur in the affected area of the arm. Pain from a herniated disc is caused by acute damage to the nerves exiting the spinal cord. Pressure, irritation and injury to nerves typically first cause a tingling sensation, slight numbness, later pain and finally complete numbness and paralysis.

The pain often has a pulling, conductive and electrifying character. This form of pain is also called “radical” pain. Due to the irritation of the nerve root at the spinal column, the pain extends into all supply areas of the affected nerves, although the actual problem is not located there.

In the case of a severe herniated disc, the pain can spread to the fingertips or toes. The cervical vertebrae 5 and 6 are located in the lower part of the cervical spine. Immediately above these vertebrae are the nerves that serve to move the diaphragm and enable breathing.

At the level of vertebrae C5 and C6, on the other hand, there are motor nerves that supply parts of the shoulder, upper arm and forearm. In the case of failures caused by a herniated disc, the internal rotation of the shoulder, flexion in the elbow joint and rotation of the forearm may be restricted. Pain also occurs along these areas and runs from the shoulder over the outside of the arm to the thumb.

Typically, the functional limitations and sensitive deficits occur on one side only. Bilateral complaints are rather rare in the case of a herniated disc. If the herniated disc is located centrally and thus compresses not only the nerve root but also the spinal cord, incomplete cross-sectional syndromes can be observed: In addition to paralysis of arms and legs, disturbances in the bladder and intestinal area can be observed. However, this form of herniated disc is rare. Additional information here: Symptoms of a herniated disc of the cervical spine