Burners & Stingers

Definition

 

Neurological pain in arm after injury in sport

- usually due to brachial plexus injury

 

Epidemiology

 

Contact sports

- ice hockey

- rugby

- american football

- basketball

 

Pathology

 

Brachial plexus injury

Cervical nerve root injury

 

Aetiology

 

Traction injury

- hit onto shoulder

- head pushed in opposite direction to arm

 

Clinical

 

Pain / Parasthesia / Burning down arm

Temporary weakness

 

May last minutes to weeks

 

DDX

 

A stinger is a diagosis of exclusion

 

Cervical spine fracture

Herniated disc

Brachial plexus injury

 

Xray / MRI

 

Important to exclude fracture / HNP

 

Management

 

Rest

Soft Collar

Physiotherapy

NSAIDS

 

Self limiting condition

- return to sport when asymptomatic

 

Recurrence prevention

- sports collars

- change tackling techniques