Burner syndrome, also known as stingers, is a stretch or compression injury to the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a complex of nerves in the lower neck and shoulder area.
Burners are common in contact sports such as football, wrestling, and hockey.
Burner syndrome is characterized by an immediate, severe, burning pain and prickly paresthesia that radiates from the neck, extending circumferentially to the arm or fingers. Additionally, symptoms often include numbness and brief paralysis of the arm. If you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical attention. X-rays are often useful in ruling out additional injuries of the cervical spine. The most common mechanism of injury is the stretching of the brachial plexus from a blow to the head or shoulder.