Burner/Stingers
- Mechanism: Head forced away from the stretched shoulder
- Pathology: Transient brachial plexus neuropraxia
- Associated with:
- Cervical stenosis
- Foraminal stenosis
- OPLL (Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament)
Symptoms
- Electric shock-like intense burning pain in arm & neck
- Intense
- Weakness
- Usually unilateral
Management
- Monitor for recovery
- If recovery is swift, no further investigation is needed
- Rule out other pathology if persistent with MRI
Transient Quadriplegia
- Mechanism: Axial loading or hyperextension injury
- Presentation: May present as paraplegia but often quadriplegia
- Recovery: Recovers over 48 hours
Associated with
- Cervical stenosis (Torg <0.8; SAC <14mm)
- Congenital C-spine fusions
- C3/4 & C4/5 most commonly affected
Management
- Monitor for improvement
- Investigate with MRI if no improvement or worsening of symptoms
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