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Concussion crash course blog post for soccer players, head injury

Concussions: A Crash Course

concussion crash course for parents for players head injury Jan 11, 2023

What is a Concussion?

Concussion injuries are coming into the spotlight as some of the most challenging and important injuries to diagnose and treat effectively. _____ lists the technical definition of a sports-related concussion as follows: a traumatic brain injury induced by biomechanical forces, that results in a rapid onset of short-lived impairment of neurological function. This can come from a direct blow to the head, such as from an elbow or ball, or can be indirect, such as when a player gets tackled in the body, and the resulting whiplash causes the injury to the brain.

How do I know if I or my child has a Concussion?

Concussion can be a very tricky injury to recognize, as there is no exact, consistent set of symptoms or signs that indicate a concussion. This is why if there is any kind of head injury or even a suspicion of concussion, the player should be removed from the field of play immediately.

Symptoms can include, but are not limited to:

  • Headache
  • Brain fog
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Balance impairment
  • Behavioral changes, such as irritability
  • Slowed reaction times
  • Amnesia, and/or
  • Sleep disturbances

Currently, the best way to recognize and diagnose a potential concussion at the time of injury is using a Sports Concussion Assessment Tool, Version 5 (SCAT5), which is widely available, and can be found in a basic Google search. This tool tests for various cognitive, attention, and memory deficiencies. At this time, advanced imaging such as CT or MRI scans do not provide any further useful information about the presence or severity of a concussion. However, they can be useful in investigating more severe head injuries if any red flags present after the initial injury.

Red Flags for Severe Head Injuries

With any head injury, the athlete should be taken through the SCAT5 or, if no qualified physician is present, the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) tool. If testing shows any indication that a concussion might be present, the player should not be allowed to be allowed back into the game on that same day. They must also be monitored continuously to ensure there is no worsening of symptoms.

Red flags to be aware of that would indicate a more severe brain injury or brain bleed would be:

  • Rapid deterioration of neurological symptoms
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizure
  • Worsening headache over time
  • Repeated vomiting, and/or
  • New neck pain

If any of these symptoms are present or become present over time, you should seek 911 emergency services immediately. 

Be aware that there may be a latent period after the initial head injury, in which the brain bleed is building pressure. So, even if the athlete doesn’t initially present any red flag symptoms, they may develop these symptoms over time, which makes continuous monitoring and exams for 2-3 hours post injury paramount to athlete safety.

No Red Flags, but What Do We Do After a Concussion?

As mentioned above, the athlete should be taken out of the game, and under no circumstances, should they be allowed to rejoin again that day. There is much debate on the best recovery/treatment of concussion, but the overall consensus is at least one week of recovery before returning to full play.

There are steps the player can take to gradually return to play safely. Start with simple activities that do not provoke symptoms, and then move gradually to light aerobic exercise, sport specific exercise, non-contact training drills, full contact practice, and then finally return to sport. Allow for 24-48 hours for each of these phases, and if any activities provoke or worsen symptoms, return to the previous phase. If symptoms are persistent for more than two weeks, it warrants a referral to a licensed healthcare professional.

Research has shown there to be some benefit for players who participate in vestibular and psychological rehabilitation, as well as cervical spine care, by licensed chiropractors, physical therapists, and/or sports medicine physicians.

Key Takeaways

  • An athlete even suspected of having a concussion should never be returned to sport on the same day.
  • Concussed athletes should be properly assessed and be monitored continuously over the initial 2-3 after injury.
  • If there are any red flags of significant neurological symptoms or deterioration of state, 911 would should be notified, and emergency procedures be taken.
  • Concussion recovery should be at least a week with a graded return to activity and sport.

Concussion injuries are an unfortunate part of sport, but with proper diagnosis and management, can be only a small setback in an athlete’s game and health.

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