Expert opinion and controversies in musculoskeletal and sports medicine: stingers

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Mar;90(3):402-6. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2008.09.569.

Abstract

Stingers are a common injury in contact sports and are characterized by acute lancinating pain in 1 upper extremity with or without associated weakness and neck pain. Appropriate on-field evaluation is necessary to identify the extent of injury and rule out structural injuries to the head, spine, or shoulder girdle. Although athletes can often return to play after a single acute event that resolves rapidly, those who have recurrent events, persisting pain, or strength deficits require a thorough diagnostic evaluation before return-to-play decisions can be made. In some circumstances, players sustaining a single stinger or multiple recurrent stingers may be permanently removed from participation in collision or contact sports.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
  • Athletic Injuries / rehabilitation*
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / complications
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / diagnosis
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / prevention & control
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / rehabilitation*
  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Electrodiagnosis
  • Female
  • Football / injuries
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Musculoskeletal System / injuries*
  • Neck Pain / etiology
  • Neck Pain / prevention & control
  • Neck Pain / rehabilitation
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain / rehabilitation*
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Recurrence
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed