Sports

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Duration, number and degree of post-concussion signs and symptoms determine concussion severity, says Dr. Robert Cantu.

Dr. Robert Cantu recommends parents seek additional testing and evaluation if their child's post-concussion signs and symptoms do not clear within a week to 10 days or increase in number or severity.w

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.

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.

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