Concussions

Are They  Being Treated Properly?

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Has the term “Concussion” become a buzzword in today’s society? Are athletes suffering from more head injuries than they were in the past? How can we eradicate this athletic epidemic?

A few things you should know about concussive brain injuries. Concussions fall into the LEAST severe type of brain injury. This is known as a “mild traumatic brain injury.”

Misconception?

Mild traumatic brain injuries cause permanent and long-term deficits. Improperly managed and treated injuries cause long-standing symptoms. There is no relation between a mild traumatic brain injury and long-term deficits. The media publicized CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) as one of these injuries.

Despite the advancement in medical research and awareness of the injury, concussion injuries are as prevalent today as they were 10-20 years ago. This is because the treatment methods have stayed the same. As researchers dig deeper into this, the public eye and media coverage increased.

Concussions (mild traumatic brain injuries) illustrate symptomatic deficits in result to improper treatment. The symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, confusion. As a result, this slows the processing speeds of information in the brain on the field or in the classroom. These signs and symptoms linger due to mismanagement of the injuries and poorly educated injured individuals.

Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid these types of injuries when playing contact sports. We can be better prepared for these injuries when/if they do occur. Get evaluated prior to having these injuries by participating in our baseline testing. This testing will result in the athlete being evaluated as accurately and concisely as possible. Baseline testing leads to a quicker healing time and returns to their sports and academics. Having the appropriate education certainly leads to a well informed and a properly treated athlete. 

Not only do we want to properly treat these athletes but rather, want to educate them as well. It is crucial that if you are going to participate in a contact sport that you know how to protect yourself and your long-term health.

Greenwich Sports Medicine is not only about performing top of the line treatment but to educate our patients as well. We want our patients to take the information they have learned from us outside the practice and with them throughout the longevity of their lives!