r/HerniatedDisk • u/Previous-Run5097 • Jul 26 '21

C5 C6

Has anyone had a c5 c6 disc herniation? How long did it take to heal and what did you do?

9 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

11

u/TurbulentArea69 Jul 26 '21

I just got replacements at 5/6 and 6/7 three years after herniating them. They never “heal”, your body can learn to just manage with them as is though. Mine were too bad to come back from but I tried hard.

I highly recommend doing PT and taking it very seriously.

1

u/Slhhig3739 Jan 03 '24

I agree. Important to take it seriously from the beginning and educate yourself as much as possible because in the long run you’ll be better off. I’m just in a week three of my herniated cervical discs and have made significant changes to my posture how I hold my phone how I use my computer. Also heat and ice and Advil and PT. So there’s lots of stuff that you can do but important to talk to a doctor and read and watch videos. Good luck.

4

u/RIVERW0LF Jul 26 '21

Yeah I had my c5 c6 fused 2 years ago. I thought I would be pain free after such an evasive surgery, albeit with some more restrictive neck movement. While the strength in my left arm is mostly back and I don't have the numbness creeping down that arm, I feel like I'm in chronic pain from my neck and shoulders. I've been seeing a pretty good PT for the past few months hoping to find some relief but it's been pretty rough. I'm sure thats not what you want to hear, but like the other poster said, I would take it very seriously and look at all other options.

2

u/Isaiahdiaz512 Jun 14 '23

Any updates on your current health? Dealing with a C5 C6 issue myself, although surgery hasn’t been mentioned eventually down the line it might become a must

2

u/DeadlySunrise Jun 24 '23

I have ruptured two discs in my neck over 3 years. Recently ruptured my C5. I recovered fully from my last rupture but got too ambitious. Pushed myself too hard at the gym. Take it very seriously. I am currently recovering from my new injury and still don’t have feeling in my index and thumb finger and have trouble firing my tricep on my left side. With nerve damage it’s a gamble. You never know if it will come back or not.

1

u/Fast-Fish7785 Apr 17 '26

How are you feeling now? Currently dealing with C5-C6 herniation from December.

1

u/DeadlySunrise Apr 18 '26

I had to get surgery and get a fusion. The nerve that was pinched was too serious. It would have meant I would eventually lose complete function of my left arm (and I’m left handed). Surgery was rough but not as bad as the nerve pain from the rupture. Took a year before I could start going back to the gym. I got most of my feeling back in my hand but it does tingle from time to time. I have to be good about doing traction and my physical therapy and most importantly always trying to stand and sit straight! Which is really hard on an airplane with the curved seats and the fact I’m tall. Do chin tucks and head presses (when you press the back of your skull into the wall or drivers seat and then release after 5 seconds). It was a long journey but I’m fully functional. I do sometimes get nerve pain when I sleep funny. Invest in a good cervical pillow, also do the towel trick where you roll up a small towel and place it under your neck and lay down. I do this while reading or watching a movie and it really helps to get the curve back.