Concussion and return to play

Concussion and Return to Play Education tool for Ontario Rugby U20 Women’s Team 2011

What is a concussion?
A traumatic injury to the brain as a result of a violent blow, shaking, or spinning. A brain concussion can cause immediate and usually temporary impairment of brain function such as of thinking, vision, equilibrium and consciousness.
Most concussion (80-90%) resolve in a short period (7-10) days

Sign and Symptoms of a Concussed Athlete
Loss of consciousness
Seizure or Convulsion
Amnesia
Headache
Pressure in head
Neck Pain
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness
Blurred Vision
Balance problems
Sensitivity to light and/or noise
Reference: www.athletictherapy.org/en/pdf/ SCAT2 .pdf

Sign and Symptoms of a Concussed Athlete (continued )
12. Feeling Slowed down
13. Feeling like “in a fog”
14. “Don’t feel right”
15. Difficulty concentrating
16. Difficulty remembering
17. Fatigue or low energy
18. Confusion
19. More emotional
20. Irritability
21. Sadness
22. Nervous or anxious

Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine: May 2009 - Volume 19 - Issue 3 - pp 185-200 @ http://journals.lww.com/cjsportsmed/Fulltext/2009/05000/Consensus_Statement_on_Concussion_in_Sport_3rd.1.aspx

Graduated Return to Play Protocol
Stepwise Process
Athlete should continue to proceed to the next level if symptom free at the current level.
Generally Each step should take 24h hours
Take approximately one week to proceed through the full rehab protocol after being symptom free at rest
If any post-concussion symptoms occur while in the stepwise program, then the athlete should drop back to previous asymptomatic level and try and progress again after a further 24-hour period of rest

Rehabilitation Stage 1: No Activity
Complete physical and cognitive rest
Scholastic work, video games, text messaging may make symptoms worse and possibly delay recovery
This helps the brain recover from the trauma

Rehabilitation Stage 2: Light aerobic Exercise
Walking, swimming or stationary bike
< 70% maximum heart rate
Goal is to increase your heart rate

Rehabilitation Stage 3: Sport Specific Exercises
Running drills
No head impact activities
Goal is to add movement

Rehabilitation Stage 4: Non-Contact training drills
Progression to more complex training drills
Passing drills
May start progressive resistance training
Goal is to increase exercise, coordination and cognitive load

Rehabilitation Stage 5: Full Contact Practice
Following medical Clearance, participate in normal training activities
Restore confidence
Assessment of functional skills by coaching staff
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Rehabilitation Stage 6: Return to Play
Normal Game Play
If an athlete is suspected of having a concussion
Athlete will be REMOVED FROM PLAY for that day
Medically assessed by trainer
Monitored for deterioration (i.e., should not be left alone)
Should not drive a motor vehicle
Required to see family physician or sports medicine physician.

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Concussion and return to play

by On the Mark.it Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic on Apr 07, 2011

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Concussion and return to play — Presentation Transcript