Concussions…what’s the big deal?
A concussion is defined as “a complex pathological process induced by traumatic forces secondary to direct or indirect forces to the head that disrupts the function of the brain.” A concussion falls under the “mild traumatic brain injury(TBI)”category. Symptoms of a concussion include: altered mental status, nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, impaired balance and coordination, fatigue, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, drowsiness, sensitivity to light and noise, blurred vision, and memory deficits.
Each year, there are an estimated 1.6 to 3.8 million sports-related concussions which result in ~250,000 ER visits. 20-30% of high school football players will sustain >/= 1 concussion (in reality this number is likely much higher due to the number of concussions that go undiagnosed). Athletes are 3-4x more likely to sustain another concussion with 7-10 days after the initial concussion; this is called “second impact syndrome.”
The ramifications of sustaining a concussion are significant and the long term effects continue to be further studied and examined. In addition to neurological changes, studies show that concussions can be associated with significant motor changes affecting gait, balance, and dynamic stability.
This particular literature review looked at the effects of concussion on the risk for future lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries in athletes. The literature review revealed that an athlete’s motor control can potentially be altered due to compromised neural function after a concussion, leading to decreased responsiveness of the neurological system even after physical impairments and symptoms have improved.
What exactly does that mean? Examples of problems an athlete may face include impaired balance, decreased dynamic stability, impaired postural control, deviations in how they walk and run, difficulty navigating obstacles, and trouble multi-tasking. Even if you have never played a sport a day in your life you can understand how important it is to possess those skills and abilities in order to be successful and to prevent injuries.
Why is this important to understand? Athletes may be asymptomatic and cleared for return to play despite the potential for experiencing future injuries as a result of the consequences of their concussion. Proper screening and assessment is critical to prevent future injuries and ensure the health and safety of our athletes. Both cognitive and neuromuscular testing should be performed as a baseline for comparison in order to prevent premature return to play.
Contact us at Plus Forte to learn more about concussions and how physical therapy can help!!
Reference:
Charles, D. et al. The effects of concussion and the risk for subsequent musculoskeletal injuries. Orthopedic Physical Therapy Practice. Vol. 32, No. 1., 2020, pp. 5-8
