What happens when C5 is damaged?

If the injury is at or above the C5 vertebra, the person may be unable to breathe since the spinal cord nerves located between the third and fifth cervical vertebrae control respiration. Damage to the spinal cord at the C5 vertebra also affects the vocal cords, biceps, and deltoid muscles in the upper arms.

Can you walk again after a C5 spinal cord injury?

Fortunately, it is possible for many SCI survivors. There is potential to walk again after SCI because the spinal cord has the ability to reorganize itself and make adaptive changes called neuroplasticity.

What does the C5 nerve affect?

C5 helps control the deltoids (which form the rounded contours of the shoulders) and the biceps (which allow bending of the elbow and rotation of the forearm). The C5 dermatome covers the outer part of the upper arm down to about the elbow.

What does the C5 nerve control?

Cervical nerve 5 controls the deltoid muscles of your shoulders and your biceps. C5 provides sensation to the upper part of your upper arm down to your elbow.

What part of the body does C5 affect?

A c5-c6 herniated disc can affect the nerves that control the muscles in the arms, neck, shoulders, hands as well as the head, eyes, ears, or thyroid gland. Symptoms in these areas in addition to pain in the neck is very common with c5-c6 disc herniations.

Does a spinal cord injury shorten your life?

Individuals aged 60 years at the time of injury have a life expectancy of approximately 7.7 years (patients with high tetraplegia), 9.9 years (patients with low tetraplegia), and 12.8 years (patients with paraplegia).

How do you test for C5 injury?

Functions Affected at the C5 Level of Injury According to the International Standards for Neurological Classification, an assessment of C5 sensory functions is made at the outer area of the upper limbs. Physicians will test for sensation at the lateral side of the elbow crease (antecubital fossa).

How do you treat a pinched nerve C5?

If you have mild symptoms, you might find relief from:

  1. rest.
  2. soft cervical collar.
  3. hot or cold compress.
  4. practicing good posture.
  5. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  6. acupuncture.
  7. massage.
  8. yoga.

What muscles are innervated by C5?

The muscles innervated by C5 are: Serratus Anterior, Deltoid, Ifraspinatus, Teres minor, Teres major, Pectoralis major, Supraspinatus, Biceps, Brachialis, Brachioradialis, Supinator.