1 / 16

Concussion in Sports An Overview for Parents

Concussion in Sports An Overview for Parents. Definition. International experts:

lieu
Download Presentation

Concussion in Sports An Overview for Parents

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Concussion in SportsAn Overview for Parents

  2. Definition • International experts: • “a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biomechanical forces -- either a direct blow to the head, face or neck; or a blow elsewhere on the body with an ‘‘impulsive’’ force transmitted to the head.” • A concussion is a brain injury caused by traumatic force

  3. Which Sports? • Concussions can occur in any sport – contact with players, equipment, or facilities • Most common at the high school level: • Football • Boys & Girls Soccer • Lacrosse • Wrestling • Basketball • “Honorable Mentions” • Cheerleading, Baseball, Ice Hockey

  4. Concussion Signs & Symptoms • Cognitive - Amnesia, confusion, disorientation • Physical - Balance difficulty, vertigo, tinnitus, blurry vision, nausea • Emotional - Change in mood, anxiety, depression, agitation

  5. Common Signs and Symptoms May not develop until minutes, hours, or days after injury • Athlete Complaints • Headaches • Dazed feeling, not right, bell ringing, "out of it” • Blurry vision • Dizziness, unsteady • Athlete Injury Symptoms • Lethargy, mentally slow, perseveration • Harder to get them up in the morning • Loss of muscle tone, slow speech, aimless pacing • Detachment from game, anti-social, withdraw • Memory loss, cognitive dysfunction

  6. Cognitive Function • Cognitive = Thinking • Ability to problem solve • Working memory & attention to task • Independent from amnesia, orientation, number recall

  7. Memory Loss • Presence of amnesia or memory loss is an important clinical sign of concussion • May be delayed by 20 to 30 minutes following initial trauma • Amnesia may predict injury severity

  8. Conditions that can Mimic Concussion • Migraine • First week of contact football • Soccer Heading • Altitude sickness • Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke • Dehydration • Medication • Weight lifters headache • Hypoglycemia

  9. Cognitive Testing • Gaining recognition as a valuable tool to assess cognitive impairment in the post concussive Athlete • Baseline & After Injury tests • Baseline - A benchmark used as a basis for comparison • Recommendation: Beginning of the sports season, or every 12 months • After Injury - A test taken post or After Injury when other symptoms have resolved

  10. How to use Cognitive Testing • In the pre-season, or before the first contact practice of the sports season, establish a Baseline to measure brain speed and accuracy • Best effort • Share results with your Medical Provider • In the event of an injury, consult your Medical Provider • Take an After Injury test when other symptoms have disappeared • Medical Provider can compare results to help ensure cognition has returned to Baseline level

  11. Today, we know… • Most mildly concussed Athletes: • Recover cognitive function in five to 10 days • More severe concussions: • May take one to three months to resolve cognitive function • Recovery of cognitive function does not parallel recovery from physical & emotional symptoms • Usually lags behind

  12. Today, we know cont. • It’s best to evaluate Athletes in the post-concussive period for cognitive, physical, and emotional signs and symptoms • Cognitive testing aids the identification of persistent cognitive impairment • Clinical exam and attention to history important in evaluating physical and emotional dysfunction

  13. After Injury Risk • In a concussion, the Athlete’s brain is damaged • Healing time and rest required for recovery • Affects Thinking • May consider postponing academic activities that concern an Athlete’s future (final exams, college placement exams) • If Return To Play too soon • Exacerbate condition – longer recovery time • Affects school (academics) & sports participation

  14. Summing Up • You do not need to lose consciousness to have a concussion • Memory loss is an important clinical sign of concussion • Most mildly concussed Athletes recover cognitive function in five to 10 days • More severe concussions may take one to three months to resolve cognitive function • Recovery of cognitive function does not parallel recovery from physical and emotional symptoms

  15. Recommended Actions • Manage Athlete’s cognitive health along with physical and emotional health • Complete annual Baseline Test. See www.axonsports.com • Be sure staff (Athletic Trainer, Coach, qualified Medical Provider) is knowledgeable about concussions and available on the sidelines to evaluate injuries • If Athlete suffers or is suspected of suffering from a concussion • Immediately remove from play • Consult with Medical Provider about recuperation, as well as return-to-classroom and return-to-play decisions • Have Athlete complete an After Injury test to aid return-to-play decisions

  16. Prepared by Dr. James MoriarityPresented by Axon Sports Dr. James Moriarity Head Team Physician – University of Notre Dame Sports Medicine Consultant – Axon Sports • More than 10 years of experience in Athlete concussion testing and the clinical application of computerized cognitive testing -- tenure matched by very few in American sports. 

More Related