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Sports-Related Concussions & Subconcussive Injuries

Higher Concussion Risk for Girls Puzzles Experts

The findings in a recent study in the Journal of Athletic Training that female athletes are more prone to concussions than male athletes and take longer to recover are hard to explain, says Dr. Robert Cantu, but may due to several factors.

Both Physical and Cognitive Rest After Concussion Are Important, Says Dr. Robert Cantu

Both physical and cognitive rest are important afer a child suffers a concussion playing sports in order to allow the brain to heal, says Dr. Robert Cantu.

"Stepwise" Return to Play Recommended For Athletes with Concussions

If an athlete has been sidelined by a concussion for several weeks or longer, Dr. Robert Cantu recommends that he follow a "stepwise" approach to return to play.

Concussions: Monitor Child in First 24-48 Hours

Regular post-concussion monitoring is essential in the first 24 to 48 hours after injury to check for signs of deteriorating mental status that may indicate a more serious injury, says Dr. Robert Cantu.

No Athlete Should Be Allowed To Return to Play While Experiencing Concussion Symptoms

Dr. Cantu says that no one should return to play after a concussion while still experiencing symptoms.

No Same Day Return To Play After Concussion For Athletes Under 18

Because of the risk to youth and high school athletes of suffering a second potentially fatal brain injury before the brain has healed from the initial injury - a condition called second impact syndrome - Dr. Cantu advises against allowing such athletes to return to play in the same game or practice after experiencing post-concussion signs or symptoms.

Concussions: When To See Specialist

Only where an athlete continues to experience post-concussion signs or symptoms for more than a week is consultation with a concussion specialist recommended, says Dr. Robert Cantu.

Every Concussion Is Different, Says Cantu

While concussions share certain characteristics, every concussion is unique to that particular individual, says Dr. Robert Cantu, and requires individualized management.

Concussion Results From Violent Shaking Of Brain Causing Temporary Functional Changes

In layperson's terms, a concussion results from trauma (e.g. usually but not always a blow to the head, face or neck) which causes the brain - a jellylike structure which is normally protected from collisions with the skull by a tough, fluid-filled membrane - to collide with the skull.

Do Gender and Concussion History Affect Recovery?

Female soccer players and soccer players who have had a previous concussion recuperate differently from males or players without a history of concussion, recent research shows, but later studies show no difference, leading the most recent international consensus statement on concussion in sport to conclude that a consensus on gender as a modifying factor in concussion management is not currently possible.
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