Minor brachial plexus injuries (burners)

Introduction

Minor brachial plexus injuries, often referred to as “burners” or “stingers”, are common incidents in the context of sporting activities, particularly those involving physical contact, such as football or rugby. These injuries typically affect the nerves of the brachial plexus, a complex network of nerves located in the neck and shoulder area.

“Burners” appear as a sudden sensation of pain, burning or tingling along the arm, usually from the elbow to the hand. These symptoms often occur after direct trauma, such as a violent impact or forced extension of the neck.

Although brachial plexus injuries are often temporary, it is crucial to take them seriously and consult a medical professional to assess their extent and rule out serious damage. In most cases, burners resolve spontaneously with proper rest and care, but more severe cases may require rehabilitation or other medical interventions.

Preventing minor brachial plexus injuries often involves adopting proper training techniques to strengthen the neck and shoulder muscles, as well as using protective equipment during high-risk activities. Increased knowledge of these injuries and their triggering factors can help minimize risks and promote safer sports practice.

These injuries generally occur during sports trauma, particularly in contact sports such as football, rugby, or wrestling. Although usually temporary, these injuries can cause severe pain and tingling sensations. Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics, symptoms, and treatment methods of these injuries.

Burners are often linked to sudden movements of the head and neck, such as those observed during a violent collision. When the head is tilted abruptly to one side, the brachial plexus nerves may be stretched or compressed, resulting in the characteristic symptoms. These incidents commonly occur among athletes playing contact sports, where impacts and collisions are common.

Symptoms of burners are usually unilateral, affecting only one arm, and can include a burning sensation down the arm, tingling, temporary muscle weakness, and sometimes numbness. The pain can be intense but is usually short-lived.

Initial treatment for burners often involves rest and the application of ice to reduce inflammation. In most cases, symptoms improve quickly. However, in persistent or recurring cases, a thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is recommended. Rehabilitation sessions may be prescribed to strengthen the neck and shoulder muscles, reduce the risk of further injury and promote full recovery.

Preventing burners relies on proper training techniques, including strengthening neck and shoulder muscles, as well as teaching safe falling techniques to athletes. Using protective equipment, such as neck guards in contact sports, can also help reduce the risk of brachial plexus injuries.

So, although burners are usually temporary, they require proper attention and medical evaluation to rule out serious injury. A preventive approach, combining appropriate training techniques and the use of protective equipment, helps to minimize risks and promote safer sports practice.

Burner Features

1. Mechanism of Injury: Burns typically occur when the head is abruptly tilted to one side, stretching or compressing the brachial plexus on the opposite side. This can happen during a fall, a direct blow to the shoulder, or a sudden collision.
2. Affected Area: Brachial plexus injuries primarily affect the nerves located between the neck and shoulder. The pain may radiate to the arm and hand on the affected side.

Causes of Burners

Burners, also known as stingers, are common sports injuries affecting the nerves in the neck and shoulder region. These injuries typically occur during contact sports such as football, rugby, or wrestling, where athletes are exposed to sudden and forceful impacts. The causes of burners are multifaceted, involving a combination of anatomical factors, specific athletic maneuvers, and the nature of the sports activities.

One primary cause of burners is the abrupt stretching or compression of the brachial plexus, a network of nerves originating from the spinal cord in the neck and extending into the arms. During a high-impact collision or tackle, the head is forcefully tilted to one side, leading to the overstretching of the nerves on the opposite side. This can result in a transient disruption of nerve function, leading to the characteristic symptoms of burners, including pain, numbness, and tingling radiating down the arm.

The tackling techniques employed in contact sports contribute significantly to the occurrence of burners. A direct blow to the head or shoulder, especially when the head is turned to one side during the impact, can subject the brachial plexus to excessive tension or compression. Additionally, improper tackling form, such as leading with the crown of the helmet or making contact with the head down, increases the risk of burners. Athletes who fail to execute proper tackling techniques are more susceptible to sustaining these nerve injuries.

The nature of the sport itself plays a pivotal role in causing burners. Sports characterized by high-velocity collisions and frequent physical contact, such as American football, expose athletes to an increased risk of burners. The dynamic and unpredictable nature of these sports makes it challenging to avoid sudden impacts or collisions during gameplay. Athletes engaged in such sports are inherently more vulnerable to experiencing burners due to the intense physical demands and the potential for unanticipated contact.

Anatomical variations and individual predispositions also contribute to the causes of burners. Athletes with a narrower space between the cervical vertebrae, where the nerves of the brachial plexus exit the spinal cord, may be more prone to nerve compression during certain movements. Furthermore, pre-existing conditions, such as a history of neck injuries or abnormalities in the cervical spine, can increase an athlete’s susceptibility to burners.

1. Brachial Plexus Pull: The most common mechanism of burner injury is a sudden pull of the brachial plexus. This can occur during sudden movements of the head to one side, as can occur during falls, violent contact or collisions during sporting activities.
2. Direct Impact: Direct impact on the neck or shoulder region can compress the brachial plexus and result in burnout. This can happen during collisions in contact sports or accidents.
3. Poor Posture: Poor posture, particularly when playing sports or physical activities, can contribute to the occurrence of burners. Poor movement technique can increase the risk of brachial plexus injury.
4. Excessive Stretching: Excessive stretching of the neck and shoulders, often associated with rapid, unexpected movements, can cause compression or traction of the brachial plexus.
5. Contact Sports: Burners are frequently associated with contact sports such as football, rugby, hockey and American football, where collisions and physical contact are common.
6. Falls: Falls with impact on the neck or shoulder area can cause burns, particularly if the head is tilted to the side at the time of impact.
7. Individual Anatomy: Certain individuals may be more predisposed to burners due to their anatomy. Anatomical variation can make the brachial plexus more vulnerable to compression or traction.

Symptoms of Burners

Burners or stingers are temporary nerve injuries that typically occur in the neck and shoulders, often associated with contact sports or sudden head movements. Symptoms of burners can vary in intensity and duration, but generally include the following:

1. Burning Sensation: The main characteristic of a burner is an intense burning sensation that spreads down the arm. This feeling may be sudden and last from a few moments to a few minutes.
2. Electric or Stinging Pain: Affected individuals may feel electrical pain, tingling, or stinging sensations along the affected nerve.
3. Muscle Weakness: Temporary weakness of the muscles of the affected arm may occur, making it difficult to lift or move the arm.
4. Numbness: Numbness may occur, leading to decreased sensitivity or tingling in the affected area.
5. Loss of Muscle Control: In some cases, there may be a temporary loss of muscle control, affecting coordination of movement.
6. Sensitivity to Touch: The affected area may become sensitive to touch, with an increased reaction to pressure or contact.
7. Temporary Reduction in Mobility: Due to weakness and altered sensation, there may be a temporary reduction in mobility of the affected arm.
8. Unilateral Symptoms: Burners are usually unilateral, affecting only one side of the body, often the right or left arm.

Treatment of Burners

1. Rest and Ice: Rest is essential to allow the brachial plexus to recover. Applying ice for the first few hours can help reduce inflammation.
2. Painkillers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may be used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
3. Rehabilitation: Once pain has subsided, rehabilitation exercises may be recommended to strengthen the neck and shoulder muscles and improve stability.
4. Prevention: To prevent recurrent injuries, proper warm-up techniques, strengthening exercises and sports technique adjustments may be suggested.
5. Medical Consultation: In the event of persistent symptoms, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional to assess the severity of the injury and exclude any more serious injury.

Although burners are generally considered minor injuries, any brachial plexus injury requires proper attention to avoid long-term complications. In case of doubt or persistent symptoms, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and a suitable treatment plan.