6-max MTT (5 players present):
MP(Hero, 17BB): 55
Everyone on the table covers, very far from bubble, ante present, middle stage.
I decided to shove, though really not sure if this is the best decision. Overall feel very uncomfortable playing 13-20BB stack, so I would really appreciate your help with this hand specifically and maybe some advice (for instance, link to an article that you found helpful) on how to get better at playing awkward hands like this with a bit bigger than the traditional short stack (1-12BB).
Thanks in advance for all your replies.

Openjam or limp/jam is good.

Jam is fine and standard here. There isn't really much an article or table can help you with. Practice deriving capped jamming ranges like this yourself from the different positions.

MP at a 5-player table means first to act or second to act? Just call it HJ or CO as that terminology clearly gives us the info we need, i.e. how many players are still to act after you and gets you into the good habit of thinking like that too.

Pair of 5s is top 10% of starting hands by most people's definition. I'm assuming no action before you. To do the math, figure out the calling ranges for the people on your left, probability of those players having those ranges, and find out how EV your play is.

You could then compare that to waiting (which includes when blinds/antes increase) and thinking about probability of getting a top 10 hand, top 20 hand etc. out of position and when everyone folds to you on the button, then simply shove with top 50% of hands (or some strategy similar to that).

Simply helping you think about finding an answer to your question versus your asking if your play was correct. Good luck.

1) Would the same apply for deuces through fours in your opinion?

2) Would you say there is any merit in playing the hand differently? What about if you think you have a big edge over everyone and don't want to make such a high-variance play (reducing your tournament life to a probable flip at this stage - 17bb deep)? Basically, if you were to play the exact same spot, when, if at all, would you play it differently?

Would it really be ok to jam 17bb here ?, would prefer a limp or 2.5 Raise and play the flop accordingly.

1) pretty much yes, though derive the range to be sure.

2) your big edge over people comes partly from playing spots like this correctly.