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Concussion Symptoms, Facts, And Treatment To Be Aware Of

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Helping coaches, parents, teachers, and patients recognize concussion symptoms is one of the many things we do at OSI Physical Therapy. Defining Concussion: A mild traumatic brain injury that results in a disturbance in brain function. They result in constellation of physical, cognitive, emotional and/or sleep-related symptoms that are variable and may last from several minutes/days/months.

Boy heading soccer ball

MN Return to Play:

Return to Play (RTP) should only happen after the concussed has been cleared by a health care provider.

No athlete should RTP or activity on the same day of a suspected concussion.

Athletic Trainers, Physical Therapists and Physicians meet the qualification of appropriate health care providers in MN that can evaluate and treat concussions.

RTP programs need to be followed before athlete is cleared.

RTP programs are individualized to each concussion. Each individual responds to concussions differently, therefore RTP and activity vary.

RTP should only be achieved after an athlete is S/S free at rest and during exertion, and after all the testing has been preformed.

Testing:

Head History

Initial Sideline Assessment

Subjective/Objective Assessment

Vestibular Assessment

Balance Assessment

ImPACT Computer Assessment

Sign and Symptoms:

S/S may occur right away at the onset of injury, but may also not appear until 1/2 days after. S/S may take 72 hours to peak, so monitoring athletes in the days following suspected concussion is important.

Headache

Nausea

Vomiting

Balance problems

Dizziness

Fatigue

Trouble falling asleep

Sleeping more/less than usual

Drowsiness

Sensitivity to light/sound

Visual problems (double vision, blurring, lines, spots)

Irritability

Sadness (may result in depression)

Nervousness

Feeling increased in emotions

Numbness/tingling

Feeling slow/groggy/foggy

Difficulty connecting

Difficulty remembering

Loss of consciousness (LOC)

Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)

Treatment:

Rest is the best “medicine” for concussions. Physical rest along with Mental health.

Mental Rest:

No Computer

No video games

No reading

No board/card games

No texting

No band/choir practice

School participation can be accommodated

Physical Rest:

No sports

No gym/recess/exercise

No strenuous activity

No physical labor/work

No rides

Avoid hi stimulus environments

No biking/skating/sledding/skiing

No driving

Avoid aspirin/ibuprofen or any anti-inflammatory meds for the first 48 hrs after a concussion. Do not drink alcohol, use tobacco, or any other drugs.

Main Points:

Be aware of S/S associated with head trauma injuries.

You don’t have to be “knocked out” to have a concussion.

No activity until S/S are gone at rest and at “play”.

Better to be safe than sorry when spending time “on the sideline/bench”.

If you’ve head a recent head injury and would like to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists feel free to contact us. We’ll get you set up with one of our PT’s that specializes in concussions.

– Alli

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