 |
Return to
Play Guidelines after Head
Injuries
The evaluation of an athlete
with a suspected concussion
should be prompt and
thorough. Treatment is
individualized according to
patient age, concussion
history, symptoms, signs and
type of sport. All concussed
athletes should be cleared
for return to play by a
sports medicine
professional. |
Based on the Summary and
Agreement Statement of the First
International Conference on Concussion
in Sport, Vienna 2001
www.bjsportmed.com.
Concussion in Sport Group
(CISG) Protocol
Acute Response: When a
player shows ANY symptoms or signs of a
concussion.
·
The player should not be
allowed to return to play in the current
game or practice.
·
The player should not be
left alone; and regular monitoring for
deterioration is essential.
·
The player should be
medically evaluated after the injury.
·
Return to play must
follow a medically supervised stepwise
process.
·
A player should never
return to play when symptomatic. "When
in doubt, sit them out!"
Symptoms
·
unaware of situation
·
confusion
·
amnesia
·
loss of consciousness
·
headache
·
dizziness
·
nausea
·
loss of balance
·
flashing lights
·
ear ringing
·
blurred or double vision
·
vision
·
sleepiness
·
feeling dazed
Signs
·
loss of consciousness
·
altered mental status
·
poor coordination
·
slow to answer
·
poor concentration
·
nausea or vomiting
·
vacant stare
·
slurred speech
·
personality changes
·
inappropriate emotions
·
abnormal behavior
Return to Play Protocol
Return to play after a
concussion follows a stepwise process:
Proceed to the next level if free of
symptoms at the current level. If any
symptoms or signs occur, drop back to
the previous level and progress to the
next level again after 24 hours.
1.
No activity, complete
rest.
2.
Light aerobic activity,
exercise such a walking or stationary
cycling.
3.
Sports specific training-
skating.
4.
Non-contact training
drills.
5.
Full-contact training
after clearance by a sports medicine
professional.
6.
Return to competition and
monitor status of athlete. |
