3 Tips for Concussion Management
The fall sports season is upon us and unfortunately the new norm is an increase in concussions flooding our offices. I have written before that I feel that concussions are being over diagnosed and there are numerous studies coming out stating that coaches, trainers and other medical personal are not up to date with the most recent recommendations put forth by the experts in the field.
Concussions are truly a dilemma for practitioners, coaches and parents as it is an invisible injury, can happen at any time and for the most part we are solely reliant on the feedback from our student athletes. It has a stigma along with it where a common theme is that “My son or daughter could never get a concussion” then all of a sudden they or someone on their team ends up with a “bad” one and my phone rings off the hook.
Thanks to professional sports taking a stand against the concussion issue and the media attention that surrounds it we all know what to look for with a concussion (headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion etc.) This information is important and for more information about the signs and symptoms of concussion feel free to contact me at [email protected], however the purpose of my article today is a topic that is often overlooked: What to do in the event of your child having a concussion.
Get an evaluation from someone who is an expert in the field:
The signs and symptoms of a concussion do not always happen immediately following an injury so if you suspect that your child has suffered a concussion it is better to be safe and have it ruled out by someone who sees them often. My recommendation is to go to an urgent care or a Sports Medicine Doctor who has experience with the diagnosis of concussions. A follow up with a pediatrician or general practice Doctor is good but only after a thorough evaluation from a Concussion Specialist has happened.
Become familiar with the protocols in place at your child’s school:
In 2012 the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) mandated that every public high school have a concussion management team and protocol put in place. In that giant pack of papers you have to sign prior to the start of the season will be information on how your school will handle a concussion and the steps needed before your child can return to the playing field. Make sure you and your child’s coach are on the same page as soon as the word concussion is uttered. Time is of the essence with these situations and it is important to know your schools policy on who the athlete has to see prior to starting the return to play process.
Invest in a baseline (pre-season) test:
I’m using the word invest lightly here as the cost of a baseline test is 20 dollars, roughly the same price as a mouth guard. A baseline test will give me information on your child’s past medical history, any previous concussions, his or hers mental function as well as a balance test. If your child is diagnosed with a concussion or there is a question of a possible concussion I will compare pre-season results with a post-concussion evaluation to determine the extent of injury and when the student athlete can return to play.
So here are three things that can help with solving any of the issues that arise if your child suffers a concussion. For more information about concussion management or to make an appointment for a baseline test feel free to contact the Sports Performance Institute at [email protected] or by calling Ryan Monaco at (315)292-4032.