Has your child recently suffered a concussion? As a parent, you play an important role in your child’s recovery. This article describes how you can help your child safely return to their favorite sport or activity.
Important Signs and Symptoms of Concussion?
A concussion is a form of brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head or another part of the body. Over 1 million sports-related concussions occur annually in the US. Unfortunately, about 50% go unreported and undiagnosed.
It is important to recognize the potential signs and symptoms of concussion in your child. These symptoms may include, but are not limited to the following:
- headache
- fogginess
- drowsiness
- sensitivity to light and sound
- changes in mood or behavior
- difficulty focusing
- irritability
- clumsiness.
Coaches and trainers may not be aware of these signs. Therefore it is important to advocate for your child if a potential head injury occurs. If your child exhibits any of the above signs during a practice or game they should immediately be removed from play. Don’t allow them to return until cleared by a licensed healthcare provider.
Contact Your Child’s Doctor or Go to the Emergency Department?
Following a suspected injury to the brain, contact your child’s medical provider for further evaluation. A visit with your doctor within a day or 2 of the injury is fine for most injuries.
However, if you notice any of the following symptoms it is necessary to take your child to the emergency room immediately or call 911:
- double vision
- weakness, burning, or tingling in the arms or legs
- loss of consciousness, seizures, or convulsions
- severe or worsening headache
- slurred speech
- increasingly combative, agitated, or restless behavior
- 1 enlarged pupil
How to Safely Return to Sports After Concussion
The question on most young athletes’ minds is often “When can I get back to playing?”. The majority of concussions will resolve within 1-3 months. It is crucial to allow for an appropriate amount of healing time.
A concussion involves temporary chemical changes in the brain, which may remain for several weeks beyond the initial injury. An initial rest period of 24-48 hours is beneficial following a concussion. Then a gradual return to school and learning occurs. Once your child can tolerate a full school day they may begin a gradual return to play program under the direction of a physical therapist or athletic trainer.
The return-to-play rehabilitation program involves 6 stages in which your child progresses when symptom-free for 24 hours in each stage. A physical therapist helps your child successfully navigate these stages and ensure they progress appropriately. It is important to not move on to the next stage too quickly to avoid worsening symptoms.
Below is an example of a return-to-play protocol adapted from the 2009 Zurich Guidelines.
Schedule a Visit with Your Physical Therapist
If your child has recently experienced a concussion, the physical therapists at BSR can help with any of your questions, or concerns, and with an eventual return to play.
Navigating your child’s symptoms following a concussion can feel intimidating without guidance. We would love to help you and your child experience a better outcome and a smoother return to sports. To begin this process call our office to schedule an initial evaluation.
