Introduction
Burners and stingers, frequently observed in contact sports like football, hockey, or lacrosse, can also be caused by routine daily activities. These injuries cause intense pain that radiates through the neck and shoulder. The degree of pain and duration may differ among individuals and is influenced by the seriousness of the injury.
What Is a Stringer Injury?
Stingers (also known as burners) are injuries that impact the complex network of nerves extending from the top of the spinal cord through the neck, shoulders, and arms. This network is referred to as the brachial plexus, making burners and stingers synonymous with brachial plexus injuries. The brachial plexus plays a vital role in providing muscle control and sensation to the shoulder, arm, and hand.
Both the terms, stinger injury and burner injury are used interchangeably to describe these conditions. However, regardless of the name used, these intense pains occur when the nerves get stretched or compressed due to collisions or other types of injuries.
What Are the Causes of Stringer Injury?
Stinger injuries occur due to trauma affecting the brachial plexus, with athletes engaged in contact sports, particularly football, being the most susceptible to such injuries. Astonishingly, research indicates that approximately 65 percent of college football players have experienced burner injuries at some point in their careers. Other athletes who are also at risk for stinger injuries include:
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Gymnasts.
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Rugby players.
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Wrestlers.
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Hockey players.
These injuries typically occur in one of two ways: either the head is forcefully pulled away from the shoulder, causing nerve stretching, or the head is pushed towards the shoulder, resulting in nerve pinching. In football, this type of injury often happens during blocks or tackles when a player's head is forcefully moved to the side.
Apart from contact sports, another risk factor for stingers is spinal stenosis, a condition where the spinal canal is narrower than usual, making the affected individual more susceptible to trauma or injury in this area.
Moreover, stingers can also result in accidents during routine daily activities. For instance, falling from a bike or a stepladder may lead to a stinger.
What Are the Symptoms of Burners and Stingers?
Burners and stingers share similar symptoms since they are both types of brachial plexus injuries. The primary symptoms include:
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Intense Pain: The hallmark symptom is a sudden and severe shooting pain that runs from the neck and travels down the arm. This pain is often described as burning, electric shocks, or tingling sensations.
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Numbness and Tingling: The affected arm may experience numbness and tingling sensations, making it feel weak or "asleep."
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Weakness: There may be a noticeable weakness in the affected arm, making it challenging to perform tasks that require grip strength or arm movement.
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Loss of Sensation: Some individuals may experience a loss of sensation in parts of the arm or hand.
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Shoulder and Neck Pain: In addition to arm symptoms, there may be accompanying pain in the shoulder and neck region.
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Transient Symptoms: Symptoms of burners and stingers are often temporary and last for a few seconds to several minutes. However, in severe cases, the symptoms may persist for an extended period.
How to Diagnose Burners and Stingers?
In order to diagnose a stinger, doctors will inquire about the circumstances of the injury and gather details about the symptoms experienced, particularly the sensations in the arm or shoulder. A physical examination will likely be conducted to assess the extent of the injury. Typically, imaging tests such as nerve studies, X-rays, or MRI scans are not necessary for diagnosing stingers.
However, in cases of recurring stingers or persistent symptoms, further examination or imaging tests may be considered by medical professionals to rule out other underlying issues. Imaging may also be necessary if patients report additional symptoms like neck pain, prolonged arm weakness, or pain in both arms along with the stinger episodes.
Athletes experiencing a burner should undergo evaluation by a physician and refrain from returning to their sport until complete recovery. Recurrent burners can potentially cause permanent neurological damage, making injured nerves more susceptible to further harm. It is crucial to have nerve injury and recovery assessments conducted by a specialized medical professional, as burners can be mistaken for other neck injuries. Athletes showing tenderness over neck bones or experiencing symptoms in multiple limbs should be stabilized on the field and promptly assessed for possible spinal cord injury at an appropriate medical facility.
What Is the Treatment for Burners and Stingers?
In order to effectively treat a patient with burners, three main areas require attention:
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Predisposing Factors: Increased risk of burners injury is linked to neck and shoulder weakness and lack of flexibility. Encouraging a chest-out posture can maximize intervertebral foraminal space, reduce nerve root compression, and activate the scalene muscles, thereby decreasing brachial plexus compression.
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Strength Deficits: Treatment involves tailored exercise programs to strengthen the neck, shoulder, and trunk. The initial goal is restoring a pain-free range of motion, followed by a progression from concentric to eccentric exercises at varying speeds and directions. Sport-specific therapy should be included, and correcting any suboptimal techniques is vital to minimize the risk of re-injury.
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Protective Equipment: Properly fitting protective gear, like shoulder pads, is crucial for individuals recovering from burners injuries. Additional protective equipment, such as neck rolls or collars, can limit cervical extension and offer extra protection.
What Is the Recovery Time for Burners and Stingers?
Most stingers typically resolve on their own within a day or two. However, it is essential not to return to sports without the doctor's approval or if any stinger injury symptoms persist. If the symptoms last for more than a few days, working with an athletic trainer can help one regain strength and range of motion.
After the symptoms have subsided, one can engage in activities to improve cardiovascular fitness while still giving the neck and shoulder time to rest. Consider activities like walking or using an exercise bike, but avoid excessive shoulder movements.
In order to prevent future stinger injuries, one can wear protective neck rolls or shoulder pads to safeguard the area in case of another impact. If a person plays football, learning proper tackling techniques is crucial to minimize the risk of injury.
How to Prevent Burners and Stingers?
In order to prevent burners, athletes should focus on using proper tackling techniques, such as "see what you hit" and strengthening their neck muscles. This helps to limit excessive neck motion during contact or collisions, reducing the risk of nerve stretch or compression. In football, specialized collars like neck rolls or cowboy collars have been designed to restrict neck motion, but their effectiveness in preventing burners is uncertain. Athletes using these collars should ensure they can still extend their necks and look up during tackles.
Furthermore, in football, being able to see the target while making contact lowers the risk of severe injuries that may occur when the neck is bent forward at impact. In order to prevent burners, athletes should also avoid contact or collisions until the effects of a previous burner have completely resolved. Taking these precautionary measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of experiencing burners during sports activities.
Conclusion
Burners and stingers are common injuries, especially in contact sports like football, but they can also occur during routine activities. Proper diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation are essential for a full recovery. Athletes can reduce the risk of burners by using proper tackling techniques, strengthening neck muscles, and wearing appropriate protective equipment. Preventive measures and patience during recovery can help athletes safely return to sports and minimize the chances of re-injury.
