Concussions: The Injuries You Can’t See

August 07, 2017

By Christina Yu, PT, DPT

Suffering from a concussion can be scary, especially when you’re not sure what to do.

According to the latest CDC statistics, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) account for 30% of all injury deaths. When we think about concussions and TBI, we typically think about athletes in football or soccer, and often forget that non-athletes are also at risk of sustaining TBI. Persons 75 years and older are at the highest risk of experiencing a concussion due to their risk of falling. TBI can have life-long symptoms for those who have experienced concussion injuries, and can potentially lead to death if not treated properly.

As kids begin to play contact sports and continue to play throughout their lives, it is important to stay proactive in educating ourselves about TBIs in order to minimize their risks of concussions, and know what to do in the event that a loved one sustains an injury.

Pre-Screening

It is important know your athlete’s “baselines.” This way, you will be able to recognize any changes in behavior or cognition. Baseline testing will assess the ability to learn, memory, reaction, concentration, and problem solving. This testing should be administered by healthcare professionals, but programs such as imPACT are user-friendly to coaches and athletic trainers.

The CDC reports that research recommends baseline testing every 2 years, but more often if an individual has sustained a concussion sooner than 2 years.

Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion

SIGNS SYMPTOMS

Can’t recall events prior nor after the injury	Headache/pressure
Appears dazed	Nausea and vomiting
Forgets an instruction, appears confused	Problems with balance, blurry vision
Moves clumsily	Feeling of sluggishness
Delayed reactions	Poor concentration/attention
Loss of consciousness	Emotional changes
Mood, behavioral, personality changes	Sensitivity to light & sound

What to do you if suspect a concussion

Take your athlete out of the game.
Seek medical attention– this does not necessarily need to be the ER unless you see symptoms of uneven pupils, slurred speech, convulsion, loss of consciousness.
Avoid heavy physical activities and activities that require a lot of concentration. Also avoid driving until your physician says it’s OK to do so.
Discuss with your physician when it is OK to return to specific activities, and have him/her clear your athlete when it is OK to return to sports.

Prevention

There is a lot that parents, caretakers, and coaches can do to prevent, identify, and respond to a concussion. First, and foremost, limit the amount of contact being made when playing/practicing a sport. Instruct your athletes to avoid head-to-head contact, making illegal contact, and hitting others on the head. The CDC lists prevention strategies for multiple sports on their website. In the case of persons over 65, ensure that the person is safe in their home by clearing the home of fall hazards, and that your loved one has good balance and quick reactions to potential falls.

If you suspect that your loved one is at risk for falls, visit a physical therapist to assess their balance and fall risk. A PT can create a plan to address balance and ambulation deficits that could result in a fall.

How can physical therapy help your athlete?

Physical therapists can assist in addressing residual balance and coordination deficits that your athlete may experience after a concussion. Physical therapists can also begin the process of retraining the athlete to safely return to their sport at the appropriate times.

Bio
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Christina Yu, PT, DPT

In her spare time, Christina enjoys reading, eating, hiking, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and more eating. She considers myself a “fangirl” of many sorts, and loves everything Disney, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings. She is also an Anaheim Ducks and Manchester United fan.

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