Assessment and rehabilitation of the athlete with a "stinger". A model for the management of noncatastrophic athletic cervical spine injury.

Stingers are the most common athletically induced nerve injury of the cervical spine, but often underdiagnosed or inadequately assessed. In addition to neurologic dysfunction, biomechanical and postural faults are frequently associated with stingers. This article addresses the pathomechanics of the stinger, comprehensive clinical assessment, appropriate diagnostic testing, and a thorough review of rehabilitation techniques to allow return to competition. The principles and practical suggestions can be applied to most cervical spine injuries.