Concussion Protocol
Concussion management is not an exact science, and we are still in the learning stage of this specific injury - Tom Hamilton
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What is a concussion protocol? Sport by sport, there's no single solution
In recent years, the handling of concussions has become one of the recurring topics across the biggest sports across the globe.
Be it contact sports which revolve around tackling -- such as American football, soccer or rugby -- to the combat sports of boxing and MMA all the way through to the supposedly genteel game of cricket, each has had to reckon with the difficulties of an injury you cannot see..
Resources
Combating the Damage of Concussions with the Most Current Concussion Guidelines
It’s important to understand that as concussion studies are performed, these best-practices will change to reflect the most current medical information available.
How does the NFL's concussion protocol work? Explaining the five-step process for return to play
The league's concussion protocol is a complex process. Being placed in it and being activated from it require multiple steps.
New Thinking on Concussion Treatment
More specialists are encouraging patients to gradually resume normal activities rather than rest for an extended period.
NFL: Concussion Protocol & Return-to-Participation Protocol: Overview
The Concussion Protocol is reviewed each year to ensure players are receiving care that reflects the most up-to-date medical consensus on the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of concussions.
When is rest NOT the best advice for concussion patients?
Historically, the cornerstone of concussion treatment has been rest. Patients are typically advised to rest until their symptoms go away and when that doesn’t work, they are told to rest some more. Unfortunately, these recommendations have not been based on scientific study, but rather “expert opinion”.
Check Your Head
This is more a clever marketing ploy than sound medical practice. Coaches don’t need a computerized test to prevent concussed athletes from going back on the field before they’re symptom-free, they need a sporting culture that takes concussions seriously and makes it OK to sit out a game because you’re hurt. If we really care about the dangers of concussions, we should be trying to prevent them in the first place, and that’s something ImPACT testing never addresses. Which may explain some of its appeal—it gives the illusion of doing something about concussions without the bother of changing the game.
Concussion management: time to give “brain rest” a rest
A complete clinical recovery within a few weeks to months is the most common outcome, but some patients develop persisting disabling symptoms
Concussion Response
If you have any signs or symptoms of a concussion after a hit to the head or impact to the body, assume you have a concussion until you have a chance to be evaluated by an appropriate medical professional.
Concussions make lasting changes to the brain, even after you feel fine
“The problem is those tests don’t seem to be very sensitive in the long run,” says study author Ravi Menon, director of the Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping at Western’s Robarts Research Institute in Ontario. “They return to normal quickly, but the MRI data shows the brain is still healing.”
Consensus statement on concussion in sport—the 5th international conference on concussion in sport held in Berlin, October 2016
The process of recovery and then return to sport participation after an SRC follows a graduated stepwise rehabilitation strategy.
Don't Think Too Much After a Concussion
Children take longer to return to full cognitive function after a concussion than adults, and their return to cognitive and physical activity should be gradual.
Post-Concussion Care Pathway
The pathway emphasizes that the patient should be seen by a healthcare professional for which it is within their scope of practice to provide a diagnosis of concussion and/or treatment based upon their professional competencies. The intention is that this pathway be a navigational tool through the current system of available care so that patients can receive appropriate, effective and timely care.
Sports-related concussion: When it's OK to return to play
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the 2016 concussion guideline recommend a 6-step process allowing for gradual return-to-play. The protocol progresses every 24 hours so long as symptoms do not occur. If any symptoms of concussion occur, the patient is returned to the previous phase.
The Worst Part About Recovering From a Concussion
Mild traumatic brain injuries are common, yet tracking how a person is healing is still a patchwork of tests that aren’t always reliable. A new blood test might change that.
We’re Not Really Sure How to Assess the Concussions of Athletes With Learning Disabilities
The diagnostic tools we use to assess concussions don’t work as well on everyone.
What is a concussion protocol? Sport by sport, there's no single solution
So we asked reporters from across ESPN about the challenges their sports have faced and are still facing, and what protocols are in place in each.
Concussion Alliance
Our online resources help patients learn to manage their recovery and assist healthcare providers in staying current with research and guidelines
Concussion Awareness Training Tool
The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is a series of online educational modules and resources addressing concussion recognition, diagnosis, treatment, and management. Good concussion management may decrease the risk of brain damage and potentially reduce long-term health issues.
Concussion Legacy Foundation
The Concussion Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the United States with chapters in Canada and the United Kingdom. It was founded by Robert Cantu, MD, and Chris Nowinski, PhD to support athletes, veterans and all affected by concussions and CTE, to promote smarter sports and safer athletes through education and innovation, and End CTE through prevention and research. CLF is a proud supporter of and collaborator with the Boston University CTE Center.
Heads Up
Keeping children and teens healthy and safe is always a top priority. Whether you are a parent, youth sports coach, high school coach, school professional, or health care provider, this site will help you recognize, respond to, and minimize the risk of concussion or other serious brain injury.
NFL Concussion Diagnosis and Management Protocol
This document updates and supersedes the initial “NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee’s Protocols Regarding Diagnosis and Management of Concussion,” issued in July, 2013, and all subsequent amendments thereto. In summary, these protocols for the diagnosis and management of concussion including pre- season education and assessment, practice and game management protocols, and return to participation requirements, provide a comprehensive approach to concussion diagnosis and management for the NFL player.
Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT5)
The SCAT5 is a standardized tool for evaluating for a suspected concussion and can be used on individuals aged 13 years and older. It supersedes the original SCAT (2005), the SCAT2 (2009), and the SCAT3 (2013). For children aged 12 and under, please use the Child SCAT5.
IRFU Concussion Protocols
These guidelines are to assist Senior and Junior players, coaches, referees and family members to understand the importance of recognising and properly managing players with concussion. IRFU guidelines have been updated to reflect the latest medical advice from the 5th International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport which indicates that players who have suffered from a suspected or confirmed concussion should minimise complete rest to 24-48 hours, returning to normal every day activities and light exercise after this.
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