What symptoms would I experience if a previously stable, non‑displaced cervical (C5‑C6) fracture became displaced?

Symptoms of Cervical Fracture Displacement at C5-C6

If your previously stable, non-displaced C5-C6 cervical fracture became displaced, you would most likely experience sudden, severe neck pain that worsens with any movement, and potentially new neurological symptoms including numbness, weakness, or tingling in your arms and hands—this is a medical emergency requiring immediate evaluation. 1

Primary Warning Signs

Pain Characteristics

• Sudden onset of severe neck pain that is markedly worse than your baseline discomfort from the stable fracture 1
• Pain that intensifies dramatically with any neck movement or even attempts to hold your head still 2
• The pain would be localized to the C5-C6 level but may radiate into your shoulders, arms, or between your shoulder blades 1

Neurological Symptoms (Critical Red Flags)

• New numbness or tingling in one or both arms, hands, or fingers—this indicates potential spinal cord or nerve root compression 1, 3
• New weakness in your arms, hands, or grip strength that wasn't present before 3
• Difficulty with fine motor tasks like buttoning clothes or holding objects 1
• In severe cases, you might experience weakness or altered sensation in your legs, though arm symptoms typically predominate at this level 3

Why Displacement Is Dangerous

Mechanical Instability

• A stable fracture becomes displaced when the supporting structures (bone, ligaments, discs) fail to maintain proper alignment 1
• Displacement can narrow the spinal canal, placing the spinal cord at risk of compression or injury 3
• The risk of secondary neurological injury increases dramatically—up to 10 times higher—when cervical spine injuries are missed or displacement occurs 1

Neurological Consequences

• Up to 67% of patients with missed cervical fractures who develop displacement suffer neurological deterioration 1
• While bilateral facet dislocations typically cause complete spinal cord injury in 50-84% of cases, the severity depends on the specific fracture pattern and associated injuries 3
• Even without immediate complete paralysis, progressive displacement can lead to permanent neurological deficits in approximately 29% of cases 1

What You Might NOT Feel (Common Pitfall)

• Importantly, you might remain neurologically intact initially even with significant displacement if associated fractures (like pedicle fractures) maintain spinal canal patency 3
• This creates a false sense of security—the absence of immediate paralysis does NOT mean the injury is stable 3
• Some patients with bilateral C5-C6 facet dislocations have presented without any neurological deficits, particularly when fractures create additional space in the canal 3

Immediate Action Required

If You Experience These Symptoms

• Stop all movement immediately and call emergency services—do not attempt to move your neck or test your range of motion 1
• Do not allow anyone to manipulate your neck, including well-meaning attempts at repositioning 2
• Maintain your head and neck in a neutral position until emergency medical services arrive with proper immobilization equipment 1

Critical Timing

• Delayed diagnosis of cervical spine displacement leads to 10-fold higher rates of secondary neurological injury (10.5% vs 1.4%) 1
• Before widespread adoption of proper trauma protocols, up to 10% of initially neurologically intact patients developed deficits during emergency care due to inadequate immobilization 1

Why This Matters for Your Specific Situation

• Your C5-C6 level is particularly vulnerable because it's at the cervicothoracic junction, one of the two most common sites for cervical injuries 1
• Even rigid cervical collars may not adequately restrict displacement at this level and can paradoxically allow movement of adjacent vertebrae 1
• The fact that your fracture was initially stable but could displace means the supporting structures are compromised—any additional trauma (even minor) could cause catastrophic displacement 2, 4