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Wednesday, October 14: So What Happened To Chris Samuels?

Posted by Matt Terl on October 14, 2009 – 9:21 am

http://p.castfire.com/5JmRr/video/174731/174731_2009-10-13-192057.flv

Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels was in Greenbelt, Maryland, yesterday, to help Governor Martin O’Malley launch a campaign to educate people about the state’s Medical Assistance for Families program.

And, as is the way of such things, this provided a perfect time for Samuels to answer a few questions about football and his injury. Samuels confirmed Head Coach Jim Zorn’s assessment Monday that he’s out for this week’s game, and said that he’d visit the doctor next week “kind of to reassess everything and just figure out what I want to do.”

Since it was a health education event, it also seems like an appropriate time to address a question that I’ve heard repeatedly since Sunday’s game: what, exactly, is a “stinger”?Fortunately, physical therapist Christopher Stulginsky was watching the Redskins/Panthers game and felt compelled to write up a full, detailed description of the injury.

Essentially, per Stulginsky, it’s “a forceful stretch of the nerves” caused by “a direct blow to the head, neck, or shoulder”. More revealing, though, is the description of what it feels like.

The name comes as a result of the sudden and intense stinging pain that shoots down your arm or in your hand.

The feeling is similar in nature to that of a limb that has “fallen asleep”; however, in the case of a “stinger,” the onset is sudden, and the intensity greatly increases. A mild case can last for just a few seconds; in a more severe or chronic case, symptoms may persist over longer periods of time and result in decreased coordination, strength, and sensation in the affected arm.

And how long does it last?

Once the symptoms have dissipated, treatment should focus on strengthening the muscles of the cervical spine and improving the range of motion as well, particularly in the front of the neck. Additionally, improving one’s sports-specific technique can decrease the chances of re-injury.

If symptoms persist, an X-ray, MRI, EMG, or CT scan may be indicated to rule out disc herniation or nerve damage.

And, that in short, is probably why Zorn mentioned Samuels’ existing stenosis on Monday. Spinal injuries are nothing to mess with. Let’s all hope the symptoms have indeed dissipated by next week’s doctor’s visit for Samuels, and that he can focus on strengthening muscles and getting back to the left tackle spot.


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