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Concussions
Geisinger Sports Medicine - Get Back in the Game
Mechanism of Injury
Head injury, even seemingly mild impacts, during a game or practice should never be taken lightly. A player’s brain tissue is protected by the encasing skull bone, and may be further protected by a helmet. However, a sudden change in forces, as in the case of a head impact, may force the delicate brain tissue to jam into the hard skull and cause damage.
The cranial nerves of the brain, responsible for a variety of actions, emotions, behavior, and cognitive functions, are extremely susceptible to injury during head impact. Depending on which nerves are injured, any number of impairment may occur with a head injury. A head impact may also constrict the blood vessels supplying blood and oxygen to the brain.
A concussion involves temporary loss of consciousness following a blow to the head. Although a concussion is relatively common, thankfully the majority of concussions are mild and cause only temporary difficulties. Concussions are more common in impact sports such as football and hockey, where tackling and hip checking are part of the game.
Athletes with a concussion may experience:
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory loss
- Headaches
- Coma
- Altered levels of consciousness
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Vomiting
- Difficulty walking
- Muscle weakness
- Unequal pupils
- Drowsiness
*Athletes experiencing any of these symptoms should see a doctor immediately
Diagnosis & Testing
Your physician will run a variety of tests to determine the grade of concussion:
Grade 1 – symptoms of confusion, but no loss of consciousness
Grade 2 – confusion and memory loss, but no loss of consciousness
Grade 3 – brief loss of consciousness, memory loss and confusion
A CT scan allows the brain to be X-rayed and fine details to be seen. An MRI may also be ordered. Your doctor may also ask a series of questions to check for cognitive and motor impairment.
Treatment
The injured brain tissue may remain very vulnerable for hours and days, even weeks after a concussion. Most concussions are treatable with rest and observation. With a brain injury, relief of symptoms may be slow. Although post-concussion symptoms are to be expected, patients experiencing prolonged symptoms, depression, or emotional instability may need a reevaluation or additional testing to check for more serious brain tissue injury. Your doctor will have a specific set of “treatment guidelines” for you to follow to ensure proper healing and make sure you return to sporting activities no sooner than is safe.
Surgical Management
Surgery is not usually necessary with concussion.
Rehabilitation
Some concussion patients may need the structure of a rehabilitation program to help alleviate symptoms and prevent future head injuries. Your doctor or therapist will tell you how important it is that you always make sure your head is as protected as possible during sports, bike riding, or other activities where concussion is possible. Multiple concussions can put players at risk for permanent brain damage. It is crucial that you not attempt any activity where the head may be vulnerable until you are fully healed following a concussion.
At Geisinger Sports Medicine, we help athletes with concussions recover with the best techniques modern medicine has to offer. If you or your child sustains a minor head injury, contact us today for an appointment at our state-of-the-art facility.
Geisinger Sports Medicine Facility
1-866-414-4988
Orthopaedic Services-Woodbine Lane
Corner of Woodbine Lane & Route 11
Danville, PA 17822 MC 52-12
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center
1-800-921-1467
1000 East Mountain Blvd.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Geisinger Medical Center
1-800-275-6401
100 N. Academy Avenue
Danville, PA 17822