Burners and stingers are a common injury in contact or collision sports. The injury is named for the stinging or burning pain that spreads from the shoulder to the hand. This can feel like an electric shock or lightening bolt down the arm. This can be accompanied by a warm sensation.

Nerve roots exit the spinal canal of the neck and come together to form cords of nerves. These nerves ultimately provide sensation and motor innervation to the muscles of the arm.

The nerve roots are named for the level at which they exit the spinal canal. For example, the term C5 refers to cervical nerve root 5, which exits the spinal cord at the 5th cervical spinal body.

As the nerve roots move away from the spinal canal, they join to form larger bundles or cords. In the upper extremity this is called the brachial plexus. All of the nerve supply to the arms runs through this plexus. This is also a potential site of injury that can cause a burner or stinger.

When a burner or stinger occurs, one potential area of injury is where the nerve root exits the spinal canal.

Burners and stingers are a common injury in contact sports. Athletes who engage in contact sports are more likely to suffer this injury. In fact, up to 70 percent of all college football players report having experienced a burner or stinger during their 4-year careers.

The two most common sports for burners and stingers are American football and wrestling.

Tackling or blocking in football is the most common athletic activity causing a burner or stinger. Football defensive players and lineman therefore frequently suffer this injury. Another possible mechanism is a fall onto the head, such as in a wrestling takedown or a football tackle.

In addition to the type of sport, another risk factor may be the size of the spinal canal. It has been suggested that athletes with recurrent stingers or burners may have a smaller spinal canal than players who do not suffer recurrent injury. This is a condition called cervical, or spinal, stenosis.

The injury is to the nerve supply of the upper limb, either at the neck or shoulder. In most cases, the injuries are temporary and symptoms resolve quickly.

• A burning or electric shock sensation is often felt.
• The arm may feel numb immediately following the injury, and weakness is common.
• The symptoms most commonly occur in one arm only.
• Symptoms usually last seconds to minutes, but in 5 percent to 10 percent of cases, they can last hours, days, or even longer.

An orthopaedic surgeon makes the diagnosis based upon the history of injury and the symptoms. X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and other nerve studies are not usually needed.

More extensive examination is needed if there are any of the following symptoms.

• Weakness lasting more than several days
• Neck pain
• Symptoms in both arms
• History of recurrent stingers/burners

Treatment begins by removing the athlete from further injury. Athletes are not allowed to return to sports activity until their symptoms are completely gone. This can take a few minutes or several days. Athletes should never be allowed to return to sports if they have weakness or neck pain.

Although the injury gets better with time, the athlete may need to work with a trainer or therapist to regain strength and motion if the symptoms last for several days.