A
concussion is a
traumatic brain injury caused by intense shaking of the brain. This can happen because of a blow
to the head or neck during sports, a fall or whiplash from a car accident.
A violent impact to the head may cause the brain to move around and hit
the inside of the skull, resulting in brief disruption to normal brain
function and causing a variety of physical and cognitive symptoms.
Concussions can be serious, and swift diagnosis and treatment are crucial.
At Altru Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, orthopedic surgeons, sports
medicine specialists and other providers follow evidence-based concussion
management protocols and offer complete concussion management treatment options.
Concussion is a common sports injury, which is why Altru partners with
community medical providers, local schools, athletes and parents to provide
education about preventing and identifying concussions. When a concussion
occurs, the goal of concussion evaluation and management is to diagnose
the injury swiftly and provide evidence-based treatment to help patients
return to sports, work or favorite activities.
What are the Symptoms of a Concussion?
Concussions are common in youth sports, including football, soccer and
basketball. Student athletes who sustain a concussion may report a variety
of symptoms, including:
A feeling of pressure in the head
Blurry or double vision
Difficulty concentrating
Disorientation
Dizziness
Feeling sluggish
Headache
Memory problems
Nausea
Neck pain
Sensitivity to light and/or sound
Vomiting
Coaches, parents, teachers or referees may notice student athletes displaying
the following symptoms:
A dazed or stunned appearance
Changes in behavior or personality
Clumsy movements or balance problems
Confusion
Forgetfulness or difficulty recalling information
Loss of consciousness
Delay in answering questions
How is a Concussion Diagnosed?
Concussion symptoms aren’t always present right after the injury
occurs. They may take days or weeks to appear, which can make concussions
difficult to diagnose. The first step is recognizing symptoms when they
occur and seeking a medical evaluation promptly.
A medical provider will ask for a description of the injury and any experienced
symptoms. The provider will conduct a physical exam and a neurological
exam, which includes checks of the person’s balance, reflexes and
vision, and he or she may test memory and cognitive ability. In rare cases,
a CT scan or MRI of the brain may be necessary to check for signs of injury,
such as bleeding.
How is a Concussion Treated?
The two most important factors in concussion treatment are rest and time.
A full recovery is possible, but the timeline varies from person to person,
and plenty of rest from physical and mental activities is key. That means
student athletes will need to sit out practices and games for a while,
and they may need to refrain from certain aspects of schoolwork, such
as studying, or favorite activities that require concentration, such as
playing video games. Avoiding all electronic devices may be necessary
during the early part of recovery.
Returning to activities too soon can exacerbate symptoms and delay healing.
Sustaining a second concussion while still recovering from the first can
cause second impact syndrome, which could lead to serious swelling of
the brain, permanent brain damage or even death.
Physical therapy can play an important role in treatment. A variety of physical therapy
techniques, including manual therapy, which involves hands-on manipulation
of tissues and bones, can help improve balance and reduce dizziness and
headaches. The recommended time off from sports during concussion recovery
may lead to a loss of strength and stamina, but physical therapy can help
restore both when it’s safe to resume certain physical activities.
Follow-up Care for a Concussion
For young athletes and others who sustain a concussion, it’s important
to follow up with their Altru provider during the recovery period to determine
when it’s safe to begin gradually ramping up their activity level
and, ultimately, when it’s appropriate to return to play. A key
factor in determining the progress of student athletes’ recovery
is gauging their cognitive ability using a computer-based screening tool
called ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing).
Like many concussion management programs around the country, Altru offers
ImPACT to student athletes before their season begins to get a baseline
measurement of cognitive ability. Athletes who sustain a concussion can
take the test again several times throughout recovery. Their provider
can compare the results of the follow-up tests with those from the baseline
exam to better understand how recovery is progressing. ImPACT is available
for youth sports organizations throughout the Red River Valley that serve
athletes ages 12 and older.
Schedule an appointment with an
Altru provider for a concussion evaluation or an ImPACT test.
