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Burners and Stingers

A burner or stinger is a sports injury to the nerves of the upper arm. It is very common in contact or collision sports. When you make or receive a hard hit with your shoulder, you can compress or overstretch the brachial plexus. This sends electricity down the nerves in your arm, often causing a burning sensation in the arms and shoulders.

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What Are Burners and Stingers?

Doctors define burners and stingers as injuries to the nerves of your upper arm, at either the neck or shoulder. They often occur as a result from a collision in contact sports.

The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves that starts in your spinal cord. These nerves are responsible for giving your arms and hands feeling.

When you make or receive a hard hit with your shoulder, you can compress or overstretch the brachial plexus. This sends electricity down the nerves in your arm, often causing a burning sensation in the arms and shoulders.

What are burner and stinger risk factors and complications?

Burners and Stingers risk factors

  • Burners and stingers are most common in football.
  • Other athletes at risk of hard falls — such as gymnasts, skiers, and cyclists — may also get them.

Complications of burners and stingers

  • Chronic pain.
  • Numbness in the neck, shoulders, arms, or hands.
  • Permanent weakness in the neck, shoulders, arms, or hands.

How can I prevent burners and stingers?

  • Use protective gear and proper sports technique.
  • Stretch muscles before activity.

How common are burners and stingers?

  • Burners and stingers are common in contact sports.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Burners and Stingers?

Burner and stinger symptoms occur in your neck, shoulder, and arm.

The most common stinger symptoms include:

  • Tingling.
  • Stinging.
  • Burning pain.
  • Weakness in the arm.
  • Stiffness in the neck.

The pain from a burner or stinger injury may also travel from your shoulder down to your hand.

The pain often goes away within a few minutes. However, weakness can last a while longer.

When should I see a doctor about my burner and stinger symptoms?

Make an appointment with your doctor if you are experiencing neck pain or if weakness in your neck, shoulders, arms, or hands lasts for more than several days.

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How Do You Diagnose Burners and Stingers?

If the burner or stinger occurs during a sporting event, a physical therapist or doctor will perform an exam.

They will:

  • Test your reflexes.
  • Look for weakness in the arm.
  • Check to make sure no spinal injury has occurred.

Your doctor may order an x-ray or MRI to rule out any other problem, such as a fracture.

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How Do You Treat Burners and Stingers?

When an athlete suffers a burner or stinger, the first step is to remove them from activity and have a doctor do a physical exam.

Brachial plexus injuries resolve on their own.

Pain from burners and stingers tends to go away within seconds or minutes, but the weakness and stiffness can remain for hours or days.

Treatment options for weakness and stiffness include:

  • A soft collar to protect the neck.
  • Rest.
  • Range of motion exercises.

More severe burner and stinger injuries may require physical therapy.

You should not return to sports until all symptoms and neck pain are completely gone.

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