Videos

It is reasonable for professional athletes and college athletes with a realistic possibility of a pro career to accept more risk in deciding whether to retire after suffering series of concussions but other athletes should assume less risk, says Dr. William P. Meehan, III.

In most cases, athletes who get five days of complete physical and cognitive rest and stay home from school after a concussion can return to the classroom the following week, but some may need academic accommodations, says Dr. William P. Meehan, III.

Concussion expert Dr. William P. Meehan, III explains why athletes who try to intentionally fail a baseline neurocognitive test in order to be able to return to play sooner after a concussion are only putting themselves at risk.

There are four steps an athlete, such as a hockey player, can take to reduce their concussion risk, says Dr. William P. Meehan, III: learning to play with their head up, strengthening their neck and shoulder muscles, not returning too soon from a previous concussion, and avoiding hits from behind.

Prompt reporting of concussion symptoms and proper concussion management should allow an athlete to play contact or collision sports as long as they want.  It is athletes who hide symptoms, return to play too soon, or sustain multiple injuries whose careers may be cut short, says concussion expert, Dr. William P. Meehan.

Concussion expert Dr. William P. Meehan, III says an athlete's failure to report concussions signs or symptoms can delay recovery, result in catastrophic injury in rare cases, and long-term problems.