Concussion Management

At Advantage Sport Medicine our team of multi-discipline sport medicine experts help patients recover from head injuries faster with the latest concussion management treatments.

What’s a concussion?

A sport-related concussion (SRC) is a traumatic brain injury caused by forces delivered to the body that are transmitted to the head. Concussions usually present short-lived neurological symptoms, like dizziness or balance problems. 

You don’t need to hit your head to get a concussion and you don’t have to lose consciousness to have a concussion. When treated and managed properly, symptoms usually resolve without issues. 

Sport Medicine’s role concussion management

When testing for and treating concussions, Sport Medicine professionals turn to return to play protocol.

Recognize a concussion & Remove from play

It is very important for both non-medical (athletes, coaches, parents) and medical people to be able to recognize what a concussion is.  A Sport-related concussion (SRC) is defined as a traumatic brain injury that is caused by forces delivered to the body that are transmitted to the head.  There are usually short-lived neurological type symptoms (dizziness, balance problems), and, medical imaging like an MRI or CT scan is normal. 

You DON’T need to hit your head to get a concussion and you DON’T have to lose consciousness to have a concussion.

OBSERVABLE SIGNS include what an athlete may display on field that may suggest a possible concussion.  These include: 

•  lying motionless
• slow to get up
• blank or vacant look
• stumbling off of the field

 SYMPTOMS include what an athlete may tell you they are feeling:

•   Headache                                               
• “Pressure in the Head”
• Balance problems
• Nausea/Vomiting
•  Drowsiness
• Dizziness
•  Blurred Vision
• Sensitivity to light and noise
•  Fatigue or low energy
• More emotional
•  Difficulty concentrating
•  Difficulty remembering
• Feeling slowed down
•  Feeling like “in a fog”

Concussion Recognition Tool

The CONCUSSION RECOGNITION TOOL (CRT) has been updated and is the best tool for non-medical people to use.  It is a great resource for parents and coaches.

The CRT highlights the EMERGENCY or RED FLAG SYMPTOMS. 

If your athlete is showing the following symptoms call 9-1-1 and have them transported to the emergency department:

• Neck pain or tenderness
•  Double vision
•  Weakness or tingling/burning in arms and legs
•  Severe or increasing headache
• Seizure or convulsion
• Loss of consciousness
• Deteriorating conscious state
• Vomiting
• Increasingly restless, agitated or combative

The CRT also provides MEMORY QUESTIONS that are pertinent to the athlete’s game and team.

Below is the CRT, and if there is any concern of a concussion the athlete should be REMOVED from play and be assessed MEDICALLY by a physician.  If in any doubt, call 9-1-1 or have the athlete seek urgent medical attention. 

The Concussion Recognition Tool (CRT) will help you RECOGNIZE what a concussion is.  If a concussion is suspected an athlete should be REMOVED from practice or play.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today!