{"id":1877,"date":"2026-10-30T03:27:47","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T03:27:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elgringolaw.com\/resources\/spinal-cord-injury-lawyer-new-mexico\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-c5-vertebrae-injury\/"},"modified":"2026-11-11T05:55:32","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T05:55:32","slug":"what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-c5-vertebrae-injury","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/elgringolaw.com\/resources\/spinal-cord-injury-lawyer-new-mexico\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-c5-vertebrae-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"C5 Vertebrae Injury Symptoms: New Mexico Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Spinal Cord Injuries \u00b7 New Mexico<\/p>

C5 Vertebrae Injury Symptoms: What to Know After a New Mexico Accident<\/h1>

A C5 neck injury can cause shoulder, arm and hand problems that are easy to miss. Learn the common signs, when to get emergency care, and how El Gringo Law can help you understand your options.<\/p>

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By Josh Wood \u00b7 Published October 29, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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C5 Vertebrae Injury Symptoms: What to Know in New Mexico<\/h2>\n

What are the symptoms of a C5 vertebrae injury? Most often, the signs are neck pain, weakness in the shoulder or upper arm, and numbness or tingling over the outer upper arm. When the spinal cord is also affected, the signs can be more serious. Only a medical exam and imaging can confirm whether a C5 injury is present. This guide explains the common signs, the symptoms that need emergency care, and what to do after a crash in New Mexico.<\/p>\n\n

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If a family member is hurt after a crash and you can't tell what the signs mean, our team can talk it through with you in a free, confidential first consultation. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

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Where C5 sits in the spine and why it matters<\/h2>\n

C5 is the fifth vertebra in the neck, counting down from the skull. It is one of the seven bones of the cervical spine, which sits above the shoulders.<\/p>\n

The spinal nerves that leave the spinal column at the C5 level help control parts of the shoulder, the upper arm and some breathing muscles. The nerves that power the breathing muscle come from the C3 to C5 area.<\/p>\n

The cervical spine protects the spinal cord, the bundle of nerves that carries signals between the brain and the body. That means an injury at this level can affect the cord, the nerve roots that branch off it, or both. A crash can also hurt more than one spot in the neck, so signs may come from more than one place. This is why two people with a C5 injury can have very different symptoms.<\/p>\n

Common symptoms of a C5 nerve root injury<\/h2>\n

A C5 nerve root injury usually shows up as neck pain, shoulder or upper arm symptoms, and sometimes weakness. Many people notice these signs first in the days after a crash.<\/p>\n

Watch for these common signs:<\/p>\n