Home NewsStoriesSigns & SymptomsResearchSchoolsCoachesParentsVideosState InfoAbout Us
SportsConcussions.org's
latest concussion news:
Concussion sidelines Vikings' QB Brett Favre for Tuesday night's game against the Eagles

Boxing champ Micky Ward subject of the movie "The Fighter" pledges brain to BU

NFL sees 21% increase in reported concussions over last season

German researchers find 10-20% of boxers have persistent impairment from brain trauma

American Academy of Neurology: Concussed athletes should see a specialist before returning to play

theconcussionblog
Mayo Clinic Hockey Summit recommendations include ban on all hits to the head at all levels

Army identifies blood protein marker which may help identify brain injuries including concussions

 
What becomes of athletes who suffer concussions when young?


Scott Laker

Ask Dr. Scott Laker:
Seattle Sports Concussion Program

How many concussions can my son have before he needs to change sports?

  Dr. Laker's answer

 
submit question


NFL toughens stance on concussions, acknowledging long-term risks and life-changing potential
 

Recently released NFL helmet-impact test results should not be applied to collegiate, high school or youth helmets

NFL considers changes to camps and practices to limit concussions; concerned about sub-concussive hits

NCAA makes 3-man wedge illegal this year hoping to reduce concussions, same as NFL

Tennessee tightens concussion policies for coming school year

Study suggests athletes may need even more time after concussion to fully heal

NJ female teen athlete suffered 15 concussions now struggles daily

DC MLS star Namoff suspends career due to lingering symptoms from concussion suffered Sept 09

MLB All-Star players choosing reinforced helmets to reduce head injuries

Neuroplasticity: can our brains grow, change, and heal themselves at any age?

Emergency room visits for kids with head injuries increased 43% in the last five years

LaPorta passes neuropsychological test but doctors don't allow him to return to play

Indians LaPorta shows no sign of concussion after on-field collision and CT scan

High school softball adds concussion rule

Pro soccer player Twellman ends season due to symptoms from concussion suffered 2 years ago

Former Bengals receiver who died of unrelated causes showed signs of trauma-related brain damage at age 26

Pirates players collide leaving second baseman unconscious; out for series with concussion

Study shows most parents unaware of their local school's concussion policies

Six-yr-old sustains concussion attempting flip off diving board

Quebec bans bodychecking in youth hockey and reduces concussions significantly

Pro hockey player suffers post-concussion syndrome, symptoms originally confused with flu

Canadian amateur football association implements concussion rules to protect all amateur players

Neck muscle strength plays a role in concussion prevention

ESPN's  Preston Plevetes' concussion story, former La Salle football player

Zackery Lystedt inspired WA State's concussion law, the Lystedt Law

Eagles wide receiver felt pressured by asst coach to return after concussion last season

Concussion Basics
 

Air Force Academy basketball player plaqued by headaches since Nov. concussion, hopes new medication helps

Are headguards the answer for soccer players?  Some athletes and coaches in ME believe so


Head U Concussions

Raise 7 for Matthew


Immediate Care for the Unconscious Athlete

"When there is any concern of a spinal cord injury with a football player of any age, the removal of football helmets and/or shoulder pads is not recommended.  Due to the risks related to excess movement of the spinal cord, the removal of this protective gear, unless deemed absolutely necessary by a trained medical specialist, is strongly discouraged."  Mike Ryan, PT,ATC,PES Head Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist, Jacksonville Jaguars

Adjuncts to the Response to an Unconscious Athlete

Kristian B. Goulet, MD and William P. Meehan III, MD

When an athlete loses consciousness, it often causes panic and anxiety for the medical and coaching staff.  If trained medical personnel are available, they should be allowed to tend to the athlete.  If medical personnel are unavailable, EMS should be called immediately.  If you are in a situation where you may be required to respond to an unconscious athlete, you should undergo proper training.  At minimum, you should take a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the response to trauma.  The following advice is to draw your attention to some important facts.  It alone will not prepare nor qualify you to respond to the unconscious athlete. 

You will learn in your training that the most emergent medical needs must be evaluated first.  This is as simple as remembering “ABC”: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.  Your course will describe how to evaluate and manage each of these.  In athletes, especially those wearing bulky protective equipment, the protocols change from the response to non-athletes.  Some of these changes are discussed below. 

Airway - The airway refers to the mouth, nose, throat, and windpipe.  Mouth guards, loose teeth, or other objects obstructing the athlete’s airway must be removed.  This must be accomplished with as little movement of the head and neck as possible.  Unconscious athletes may have neck injuries, cervical spine fractures and injuries to the spinal cord.  Unnecessary movement of the head and neck may lead to further injury of the spinal cord.  Therefore, if a facemask prevents access to the airway, removing the facemask is preferable to removing the helmet.  Multiple medical studies have shown that removing the facemask causes less movement of the neck than removing the helmet.

In addition, most sports that require helmets also require shoulder pads.  When athletes are lying on the ground wearing both their helmets and their shoulder pads, the bones of the neck are well-aligned. In most situations, leaving both the helmet and shoulder pads on the athlete is best.  If the helmet is removed, but the shoulder pads are left in place, the athlete’s neck arches backwards, placing the athlete at risk for further injury. Thus, if the only way to help an unconscious athlete breathe is by removing the helmet, the shoulder pads should be removed as well.  There are specific protocols for removing the helmet and shoulder pads of an injured athlete, while minimizing the movement of the neck. Any reader who might find themselves in this situation should familiarize themselves with these techniques, should undergo proper training, and should practice these techniques regularly.

Breathing - Once you are able clear the airway from obstructions, you need to determine whether or not the athlete is breathing.  If the athlete is not breathing, you need to assist with breathing.  Certain techniques to ensure the tongue and other structures do not interfere with an athlete’s breathing will be taught during your CPR class.  Two common techniques are the chin-lift maneuver and jaw-thrust maneuver.  In an athlete who is unconscious after a head trauma, the jaw thrust is preferred as it results in less movement of the neck than the chin-lift.

Circulation - Although it is uncommon after trauma, the athlete may not have a pulse.  If this is the case, you may need to perform chest compressions as learned in your CPR class.  Occasionally, shoulder pads may interfere with your ability to perform chest compressions.  If the shoulder pads need to be removed from an unconscious athlete after trauma, the helmet should be removed as well, in order to preserve proper alignment of the bones of the neck.  Again, proper techniques must be used in order to minimize movement of the neck. If the athlete is unconscious, but breathing well and has a pulse, simply kneel behind the top of the head and hold the head and neck in place with your two hands until medical help arrives.

Suggested Readings:

1. Ghiselli G, Schaadt G and D. R. McAllister. 2003.  On-the-field evaluation of an athlete with a head or neck injury. Clin Sports Med (22); 445– 465.

 2.  Bailes, J.E. Petschauer, M. and K.M. Guskiewicz. 2007. Management of Cervical Spine Injuries in Athletes Journal of Athletic Training;42(1):126–134

 3. Kleiner DM, Almquist JL, Bailes J, et al. 2001. Prehospital Care of the Spine-Injured Athlete: A Document From the Inter-association Task Force for Appropriate Care of the Spine-Injured Athlete. Dallas, Tex: National Athletic Trainers’ Association

 4.  Banerjee R, Palumbo MA, Fadale PD. Catastrophic cervical spine injuries in the collision sport athlete, part 2: principles of emergency care. Am J Sports Med. Oct-Nov 2004;32(7):1760-1764. 

5.  Banerjee R, Palumbo MA, Fadale PD. Catastrophic cervical spine injuries in the collision sport athlete, part 1: epidemiology, functional anatomy, and diagnosis. Am J Sports Med. Jun 2004;32(4):1077-1087.

 

 

 
 

                           











 

 
 

Youth Sports Concussion - Prevention, Diagnosis, News

Copyright © 2010 SportsConcussions.org.  All Rights Reserved. 
SportsConcussions.org does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Additional Information

Phone: 360-775-8197
Editor: Jean Rickerson: SportsConcussions.org
Main Email: SportsConcussions@yahoo.com
Connecticut Office: SportsConcussionsCT@yahoo.com
Rhode Island Office: SportsConcussionsRI@yahoo.com
Facebook: SportsConcussions@yahoo.com
More:   Contact Information