Serious Nerve Injury
A stinger is a serious nerve injury that might occur in a traumatic accident, a physical assault, or while playing contact sports. When someone has suffered this injury, the first sign is typically a shooting pain that travels down a single arm. This is often followed by severe numbness or weakness that makes it hard to eat, read, write, or use the arm at all. Because these symptoms can mirror a severe spinal cord injury, this possibility should be considered as well.
A stinger results when a nerve that exits the spine and travels down an arm becomes damaged. This nerve is responsible for relaying motor commands and sensory information between the limb and the brain. As a result, damage to this nerve should always be taken seriously. Also referred to as a burner, a stinger may take some time to heal.
The Mechanism of a Stinger
A stinger is typically associated with an injury to one of the nerves in the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a bundle of multiple nerves that supply motor and sensory function to the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, wrist, and hand. Nerves that exit the cervical and thoracic level of the spinal cord come together near the shoulder to form the brachial plexus.
A stinger takes place when an injury in an auto accident or sporting event stretches the nerve roots of the cervical region of the spinal cord. Often, the nerves that exit C5 and C6 are involved. Because these nerve roots play an essential part in the brachial plexus, the upper arm is affected. Typically, this injury only impacts the arm on one side; however, someone can sustain stingers in both arms simultaneously. When the nerves become stretched, serious symptoms will develop.
The Diagnosis of this Nerve Injury
The most common symptoms of a stinger include numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, and shock-like pains that travel down one arm. These symptoms, combined with an appropriate mechanism, are typically enough to diagnose someone with a stinger. Because these symptoms are often associated with a spinal cord injury, the doctor is going to want to do a complete exam. The physician will want to know more about the person’s pain, arm strength, and range of motion.
If the doctor is still concerned about the possibility of associated spinal trauma, an MRI might also be ordered. Some of the problems that might present with similar symptoms include spinal radiculopathy, a herniated disc, or a spinal compression injury. Doctors need to be thorough because nerve injuries can lead to severe complications.
The Treatment Process
The treatment of a stinger surrounds pain management and waiting for the nerve to heal. Often, anti-inflammatory medications (such as Motrin) are enough to manage the pain. In some cases, individuals might be asked to wear a cervical collar to protect this region of the spine from further damage. While this is rare, surgery may also be a component of the treatment process.
If someone sustains repetitive stinger injuries, this might lead to permanent, chronic pain as well as muscle weakness. With each successive stinger, the recovery process takes longer. In serious cases, people might be rehabbing their injury for several months. The good news is that most people will eventually make a full recovery.
Watch YouTube Video: Burner or stinger: What is it, and how can you get better? In this video, Dr. David Geier explains a stinger injury and how to treat it.
Personal Injury Lawyers in Woodland
I’m Ed Smith, a Woodland Personal Injury Lawyer. A stinger is a painful nerve injury that might take a long time to heal. If someone you know has sustained nerve damage in a traumatic accident due to the negligence of another person or entity, please contact me today by using (530) 392-9400 or by calling (800) 404-5400 for friendly, free legal advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum & the Top One Percent.
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