Important Facts About Concussions
What is the normal recovery time for a concussion? The normal recovery time from a concussion varies from person to person and past concussion recovery time does not predict future recovery time. The patient’s signs/symptoms and course of recovery depend upon the location of the mild brain injury and the severity of their injury. However, studies have shown that 80% of athletes recover from their concussion within three weeks, but 20% of concussed patients may take much longer to recover. What are some risk factors for a delayed or a prolonged recovery? What healthcare professionals manage and treat sports concussions? • No single healthcare professional is able to fully manage a sports concussion due to the many different issues related to a concussion. Concussion management is truly a team effort to help a patient r turn to his o her prior level of function. Member of the concussion management team may include a sports medicine physician, primary care physician, athletic trainer, teacher, school administrator, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, psychologist, neuropsychology, neurologist, radiologist, orthopedic surgeon, ophthalmologist, ear nose & throat physician and o her healthcare profession . What is the normal r covery time for a concussion? • The normal recovery time from a concussion varies from person to person and past concussion recovery time does not predict future recovery time. The patient’s signs/symptoms and course of recovery depend upon the location of the mild brain injury and the severity of their injury. However, studies have shown that 80% of athletes recover from their concussion wit in three weeks, but 20% of concussed patients may take much longer to recover. What are some risk factors for a delayed or a prolonged recovery?
The final phase of concussion recovery includes a graded return to play protocol that slowly progresses from light activity to full participation in order to be cleared for a full return to sports. This phase is not initiated until a patient has already returned to a full return to learning in school without accommodations, performing at their prior level of academic achievement and does not experience symptoms with learning tasks. Physical therapists are qualified to progress a patient through a return to play protocol and work with the physician for final clearance. plenty of sleep and naps during this stage of healing is very important in the recovery concussion. • A gradual return to symptom free physical activity is appropriate when the patient’s s begin to improve. Gu dance from a qualified healthcar p ovider is very important d stage of recovery. Physical therapists can evaluate and manage possible inner ear co associated with head trauma, balance deficits, neck pain, headaches, dizziness and a pace a return to cardiovascular activity. • The final phase of concussion recovery includes a graded return to play protocol that progresses from light activity to full participation in order to be cleared for a full retu sports. Thi ph se is not initiated until pati nt has already returned to a full return in school without accommodations, performing at their prior level of academic achie does not experience symptoms with learning tasks. Physical therapists are qualified t a patient through a return to play protocol and work with the physician for final clear
What steps should be taken to help a child recover from a concussion? The first priority in the management of a sports concussion is to remove them from play as soon as a concussion is suspected. The American Academy of Neurology uses the mantra of “If in doubt, sit it out” as a guide for parents, coaches and healthcare providers. Removal from play decreases the risk of suffering another concussion and prolonging recovery. Healthcare providers should perform a sideline assessment which may include tests to rule out a neck injury, issues with memory and neurocognitive tests (tests of thinking). Afterwards, you should follow-up with a healthcare provider for reassessment and management of the sports concussion. Treatment for sports concussion consists of rest and changes in daily activities in the initial stages of recovery. Activities or environments that provoke symptoms should be avoided and may include loud music, television, smart phone use, video games and thinking tasks. Getting plenty of sleep and naps during this stage of healing is very important in the recovery from concussion. A gradual return to symptom free physical activity is appropriate when the patient’s symptoms begin to improve. Guidance from a qualified healthcare provider is very important during this stage of recovery. Physical therapists can evaluate and manage possible inner ear conditions associated with head trauma, balance deficits, neck pain, headaches, dizziness and appropriately pace a return to cardiovascular activity. What steps should be taken to help a child recover from a concussion? • The first priority in the management of a sports concussion is to remove them from play as soon as a concussion is suspected. The American Academy of Neurology uses the mantra of “If in doubt, sit it out” as a guide for parents, coaches and healthcare providers. Removal from play decreases the risk of suffering another concussion and prolonging recovery. Healthcare providers should perform a sideline assessment which may include tests to rule out a neck injury, issues with emory nd neurocognitive tests (tests of thinking). Afterwards, you should follow-up with a healthcare pr vider for reassessment and ma agement of the sports concussion. • Treatment for sports concussion consists of rest and changes in daily activities in the initial stages of recovery. Activities or environments that provoke symptoms should be avoided and may include l ud music, television, smart phone u e, video game and thinki g tasks. Getting
How can Physical Therapy help a patient recover from a sports concussi • Physical therapists play an important role on a concussion management team. Physi Therapist will evaluate and treat many aspects of concussion that may include dizzin may arise from a neck issue (cervicogenic dizziness), balance deficits, neck pain, head are referred from the neck, vertigo from an inner ear condition (benign paroxysmal p vertigo), exercises for vision issues (ocular motor exercises), issues with blood pressu rate with exercise (autonomic dysregulation), and help to progress patients through return to play protocol.
How can Physical Therapy help a patient recover from a sports concussion? Physical therapists play an important role on a concussion management team. Physical Therapist will evaluate and treat many aspects of concussion that may include dizziness that may arise from a neck issue (cervicogenic dizziness), balance deficits, neck pain, headaches that are referred from the neck, vertigo from an inner ear condition (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), exercises for vision issues (ocular motor exercises), issues with blood pressure & heart rate with exercise (autonomic dysregulation), and help to progress patients through a graded return to play protocol.
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