VCSST_Concussion Management

VCSST_Concussion Management

Newsletter DEBUNKING THE TOP CONCUSSION MYTHS

Newsletter HAVE YOU EVER SUFFERED A CONCUSSION? What is a Concussion? The general definition of concussion means the act of forcefully shaking or jarring. A sports concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a shaking or jarring of the brain. A sports concussion can occur with a bump, blow or jolt to the head or the body which causes the brain to move within the skull. This movement causes the brain to hit the inside of the skull or stretch which can result in a change in brain cell chemistry and structural injury from cell stretching. This damage can result in a variety of signs and symptoms depending on the portion of the brain involved during a sports concussion.

Are Concussions Serious? Sports concussions are described as a “mild” traumatic brain injury because concussions are not usually life threatening. However, concussions are a brain injury and can lead to serious long term consequences if not managed correctly by a qualified healthcare professional. 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 return to his or her prior level of function. Members of the concussion management teammay 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 other healthcare professions. VCSST Concussion Newsletter What is a Concussion? • The general definition of concussion means the act of forcefully shaking or jarring. A sports concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused b a shaking or jarring of the brai . A sports concussion can ccur with a bump, blow or jolt to the head or the body which causes the brain to move within the skull. This movement causes the brain to hit the inside of the skull or stretch which can result in a change in brain cell chemistry and structural injury from cell stretching. This damage can result in variety of signs and symptoms depending on the portion of the brain involved during a sports concussion. Are Concussions Serious? • Sports concussions are described as a “mild” traumatic brain injury because concussions are not usually life th eat ning. However, concussions are a brain injury and can lead to serious long term consequences if not managed correctly by a qualified healthcare professional. What are the typical signs and symptoms of concussion? VCSST Concussion Newsletter What is a Concussion? • The general definition of concussion means the act of forcefully shaking or jarring. A sports concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a shaking or jarring of the brain. A sports concussion can occur with a bump, blow or jolt to the head or the body which causes the brain to move within the skull. This movement causes the brain to hit the inside of the skull or stretch w ich can result in a change in brain cell chemistry and structural injury from cell stretching. This damage can result in variety of signs and symptoms depending on the portion of the brain involved during a sports concussion. Are Concussions Serious? • Sports concussions are described as a “mild” traumatic brain injury because concussions are not usually life threatening. However, concussions are a brain injury and can lead to serious long term consequences if not managed correctly by a qualified healthcare professional. What are the typic l signs and symptoms of concussion? How can I spot a possible concussion?

What are serious or danger signs that need immediate medical attention? What are serious or danger signs that need immediate medical attention? hat are serious or dan er sig s that n ed immediate medical attention?

Patient Spotlight

“VCSST has far exceeded my expectations, and I would recommend them to anyone in need of physical therapy. The facility is impressive, spacious, and comfortable while the staff is top-notch. You will be welcomed with the smiling, friendly faces of the office staff who is always helpful and quick. The Physical Therapists, support techs, and Exercise Physiologist are all highly knowledgeable, compassionate, warm, and welcoming. The practice offers a number of specialty services like functional manual therapy and dry needling, which really provides comprehensive treatment. Take time to appreciate the sign in the lobby that will have a new handwritten positive quote every time you visit. It always brightens my day. And be sure to follow them on social media because they share great articles and short videos that can be helpful too. Rehab and pain management isn’t my idea of fun, but VCSSTmakes sure your experience is pleasurable.” S.A. “VCSST has far exceeded my expectations...”

PracticeNews

VCSST Performs Baseline Concussion Testing FC Richmond Soccer Players

VCSST recently performed baseline concussion testing on all athletes of the FC Richmond travel soccer club. Baseline testing is like a pre-season physical of brain function and serves as a valuable tool in recognizing and managing future head injuries. The baseline tests that we administered included the ImPACT neurocognitive assessment, standardized balance testing, and an oculomotor screening. In the event an injury should occur, these tests may be repeated and results can be compared in order to identify the severity of injury as well as to support critical decisions by physicians regarding a course of action. Manyconcussionsresolvewithinafewdays to weeks; however; some result in residual symptoms, such as dizziness, fogginess,

headaches, or neck pain which limit full return to function. If such symptoms persist beyond two weeks, you may be referred to a specially trained physical therapist. Each concussion is unique, but all are a complex injury involving multiple body systems, including the vestibular, oculomotor, and the musculoskeletal systems. Our therapists perform a thorough post-concussion assessment that can identify which of these systems are affected. They will educate the individual and their family on the specifics of concussion pathology, and will use an active treatment approach to address all impairments in order to promote return to play, function, and learning most efficiently.

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 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 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 du stage of recovery. Physical therapists can evaluate and manage possible inner ear co associated with head trauma, balance deficits, neck pain, headaches, dizziness and ap 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 retur sports. Thi ph se is not initiated until pati nt has already returned to a full return t in school without accommodations, performing at their prior level of academic achiev 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. Physic Therapist will evaluate and treat many aspects of concussion that may include dizzine 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 pressur rate with exercise (autonomic dysregulation), and help to progress patients through a 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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