Burner Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• Burning or stinging feeling between your neck and shoulder
• Burning or stinging feeling in one arm
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the shoulder or arm

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and how the injury occurred. One of the most important questions is whether symptoms occur in one arm only or in both arms at the same time. Bilateral symptoms (or especially symptoms involving all four limbs) are potentially more serious and need more extensive medical evaluation.

The doctor will examine you for:

• Pain or tenderness
• Neck and arm range of motion
• Strength in the arm and hand
• Arm reflexes
• Sensation in the shoulder and hand

For serious burners you may have an electromyogram (EMG) to verify the diagnosis and determine the extent of the injury.