Is it a Concussion? Would You Know What to Do?

A recent news report from the Journal of Athletic Training found many high school football players don't know enough about the symptoms and consequences of a concussion. Concussions are serious business. They can lead to brain hemorrhage, coma and death if not properly treated.

Texas Orthopedics is committed to our community's young football players, so we thought it was important to provide the following important information about concussions.

What Causes a Concussion?

A concussion is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.

Concussion Symptoms

Here are a few of the most common symptoms:

• Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
• Temporary loss of consciousness
• Confusion or feeling as if in a fog
• Dizziness or "seeing stars"
• Appearing dazed

 Some symptoms you may not know about:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Fatigue
• Concentration and memory complaints
• Irritability and other personality changes
• Sensitivity to light and noise

Some of these symptoms appear immediately, while others may not be noticeable until days or months after your injury.

What to Do If You Think You Have a Concussion

Most importantly, don't return to the field. A player should try to relax and rest. Seek medical attention immediately.

To learn more about concussions related to football and sports, check out the CDC's website here. And keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic). 

Concussion or Neck Injury: How Do You Know the Difference?

Concussions are the most common injuries from playing football. Often, a player will report similar symptoms and it turns out it's a neck injury. Recent research from the University at Buffalo medical faculty sought a way to distinguish between concussion and neck injuries, based on symptoms.

They discovered that it's hard to make the correct diagnosis based on symptoms alone because the symptoms are so nonspecific for both concussions and neck injuries. They attempted to use a graded treadmill test and compare the results with the reported symptoms to see if a diagnosis could be made. But even after looking at the data in multiple ways, there is no way to tell the injures apart based on symptom patterns alone.

The researchers concluded that more studies with larger sample sizes needs to be conducted. But they emphasize that athletes or anyone else who thinks they've had a concussion and their symptoms haven't subsided in several months, should instead be examined for a neck injury.

It's critical for football players and athletes to receive the correct diagnosis because the treatments for concussions and neck injures are very different.

Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).

Return of Football Season Brings Attention to High Injury Rates and Need for Prevention

Post provided by The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)

According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

- The 2009 football season saw over 1.2 million football-related injuries
- Such injuries resulted in more than $2.8 billion total medical costs from treatments in hospitals, doctor's offices, and emergency rooms

"Traumatic injuries to the knee and shoulder as well as concussions are the most common types of injuries we see on both the professional and youth levels," said orthopaedic surgeon Matthew Matava, MD, team physician for the St. Louis Rams and spokesperson for the STOP Sports Injuries campaign and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "Overuse injuries, especially in the beginning of the season, are another big issue with kids pushing themselves too far and too fast without proper conditioning."

The STOP Sports Injuries Campaign was launched in the spring of 2010 by a coalition of leading healthcare organizations to expose the growing epidemic of youth sports injuries related to overuse and trauma.

Because most football injuries can be prevented, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons encourage the following easy strategies for parents, coaches, and athletes:

- Have a pre-season health and wellness evaluation to determine ability to participate

- Warm-up properly with low-impact exercises like jogging that gradually increase the heart rate

- Consistently incorporate strength training and stretching. A good stretch involves not going beyond the point of resistance and should be held for 10-12 seconds

- Hydrate adequately to maintain health and minimize cramps

- Play multiple positions and/or sports during the off-season to minimize overuse injuries

- Wear properly fitted protective equipment and do not modify equipment

- Cool-down properly to gradually lower heart rate with exercises like light jogging or stretching

- Don't play through the pain. Speak with an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine or athletic trainer if you have any concerns about injuries or tips on injury prevention