Any athlete in a contact or collision sport has probably felt it at least once: a sudden burning or electric-shock sensation that shoots from the shoulder down one arm after a hard hit. Coaches, parents, and athletic trainers often call this a stinger or a burner. According to a peer-reviewed medical review, up to 70 percent of college football players experience a burner or stinger at some point in their careers, underscoring how common these injuries are in sports medicine.
Most of the time, a stinger fades within seconds or minutes. However, some cases indicate a more serious nerve injury, so it helps to know when a stinger is truly minor and when it warrants closer medical attention.
What Happens During a Stinger?
A stinger involves the brachial plexus, a bundle of nerves that runs from the neck into the shoulder and arm and controls both movement and feeling in the upper limb. The injury typically occurs when a hard hit forces the head to one side while the opposite shoulder drops away, stretching or compressing those nerves. For some athletes, the injury instead involves compression of a nerve root closer to the spine itself.
How Is a Stinger Different From a Pinched Nerve?
A classic stinger usually resolves on its own within minutes and rarely comes with ongoing neck pain. A pinched nerve in the neck, on the other hand, often results from a herniated disc or bone spur pressing on a nerve root, and it can produce similar burning or numbness that lingers for days or longer. An athlete with frequent, recurring stinger symptoms may actually be dealing with an underlying pinched nerve rather than a series of unrelated impact injuries, which is one reason repeat episodes deserve a real evaluation rather than a shrug.
Warning Signs That Need Prompt Evaluation
Most stingers resolve on their own and lead to no further complications. However, there are certain symptoms that can suggest the presence of a more serious underlying issue. You should always seek immediate attention if you experience:
- Weakness or numbness that lasts more than a few days
- Neck pain along with the arm symptoms
- Symptoms affecting both arms rather than just one
- A history of repeated stingers in the same athlete
Any athlete with these symptoms should refrain from playing until a doctor can rule out a more significant injury to the spinal cord or nerve roots.
How Doctors Evaluate a Stinger
An evaluation typically begins with a conversation about how the injury happened and a hands-on exam of strength and sensation, as well as the neck’s range of motion. Imaging and specialized nerve testing are not necessary for most athletes. However, persistent or recurring systems may lead a doctor to order an EMG nerve conduction study to measure how well the nerves are transmitting signals to the muscles.
Returning to Play Safely
Return-to-play decisions can be tricky, and a study published in The Spine Journal notes that experts still disagree on the best approach for athletes recovering from a cervical spine injury. What most experts do agree on is that an athlete should never return to full contact while still experiencing weakness, numbness, or neck pain. Clearing an athlete too soon raises the risk of a repeat injury and can mask a bigger problem underneath.
When to Seek Care From Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine
Contact and collision sports carry a real risk of stingers, no matter how careful you might be. While most cases resolve quickly, repeated episodes or the warning signs above warrant a proper evaluation.
Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine serves patients throughout Long Island, with offices in East Meadow, Great Neck, Lawrence, and Huntington. If you or your young athlete has had a stinger that will not go away or keeps coming back, reach out today to schedule an evaluation.