Q. As a parent, it startles me when I see many young athletes try to jump back into the game before they can recover from minor injuries like a mild concussion. How can I convey the importance of a full recovery to my child and their coach?
A. It's hard to watch young athletes suffer from an unpredictable incident, but it's even harder to tell them they can't play for the next few games. However, the most important step is to enlighten your son or daughter about the severe risks of playing with an untreated concussion.
It is estimated that 300,000 sports-related concussions occur each year. However, many also can go undetected if the athlete receives a mild concussion and shows no symptoms. Many athletes can recover quickly; however, some individuals may experience post-concussion syndrome - a chronic cognitive and neurobehavioral disorder that includes headaches, fatigue, sleep difficulties, etc. as a result of a recent injury. Athletes who suffer from post-concussion syndrome and continue to play are at a greater risk of experiencing catastrophic consequences if they receive a second blow to the head.
ImPACT is a research-based computer test used to assist clinicians in the evaluation of an athlete's recovery following a concussion. An athletic trainer or a health care provider can use this computer program. A 20-minute test can help determine the concussion's current status and even help predict the length of recovery time.
A preseason test - which includes puzzles and tasks that measure a range of cognitive factors - is administered on the athlete to provide a baseline. The ImPACT program tests individuals on six different categories: Word discrimination, design memory, X's and O's, symbol matching, color matching and three letter combination reflexes. These tests are run to determine the damage - or in the baseline test, the current status - done to the athlete's brain.
If a concussion is suspected, then a second test is taken to see if the results have altered from the baseline test. Additional follow-up tests can be given over the next days or weeks - depending on the severity of the concussion - to track the healing process of the injury.
A comparison between the multiple tests can help diagnose and manage the injury from the concussion. The ImPACT program evaluates and records a variety of aspects of neurocognitive functions such as memory, attention span, speed of brain processing and reaction time.
ImPACT answers difficult questions about an athlete's progress and helps to determine when they will be able to return to the field. It also can prevent the individual from returning too soon, helping them avoid another serious injury.
Along with testing for neurological damage, the ImPACT program also evaluates the characteristics of the injury and the treatments that were taken, and it creates a subject profile that includes the athlete's history. ImPACT uses a scale to rate the severity of 22 different symptoms associated with concussions.
The ImPACT program can help you properly manage concussions, the healing process as well as prevent serious injury resulting from returning to the game too soon. To learn more about ImPACT, talk to your healthcare provider or call Monroe Clinic at (608) 325-7529.
- As a board certified family practice physician, Dr. Pulley provides comprehensive health care to all members of the family. He diagnoses and treats illnesses, injuries and diseases for patients of all ages. Dr. Pulley received his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford, Illinois. He completed his family practice residency at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee, where he was a chief resident in 2004-2005. In 2007, Dr. Pulley completed a sports medicine fellowship in Billings, Montana. He has extensive sports medicine training and experience to help patients stay active, to treat sports injuries and to keep athletes on the top of their game. To make an appointment with Dr. Pulley, call Monroe Clinic - Freeport at (815) 235-1406.
A. It's hard to watch young athletes suffer from an unpredictable incident, but it's even harder to tell them they can't play for the next few games. However, the most important step is to enlighten your son or daughter about the severe risks of playing with an untreated concussion.
It is estimated that 300,000 sports-related concussions occur each year. However, many also can go undetected if the athlete receives a mild concussion and shows no symptoms. Many athletes can recover quickly; however, some individuals may experience post-concussion syndrome - a chronic cognitive and neurobehavioral disorder that includes headaches, fatigue, sleep difficulties, etc. as a result of a recent injury. Athletes who suffer from post-concussion syndrome and continue to play are at a greater risk of experiencing catastrophic consequences if they receive a second blow to the head.
ImPACT is a research-based computer test used to assist clinicians in the evaluation of an athlete's recovery following a concussion. An athletic trainer or a health care provider can use this computer program. A 20-minute test can help determine the concussion's current status and even help predict the length of recovery time.
A preseason test - which includes puzzles and tasks that measure a range of cognitive factors - is administered on the athlete to provide a baseline. The ImPACT program tests individuals on six different categories: Word discrimination, design memory, X's and O's, symbol matching, color matching and three letter combination reflexes. These tests are run to determine the damage - or in the baseline test, the current status - done to the athlete's brain.
If a concussion is suspected, then a second test is taken to see if the results have altered from the baseline test. Additional follow-up tests can be given over the next days or weeks - depending on the severity of the concussion - to track the healing process of the injury.
A comparison between the multiple tests can help diagnose and manage the injury from the concussion. The ImPACT program evaluates and records a variety of aspects of neurocognitive functions such as memory, attention span, speed of brain processing and reaction time.
ImPACT answers difficult questions about an athlete's progress and helps to determine when they will be able to return to the field. It also can prevent the individual from returning too soon, helping them avoid another serious injury.
Along with testing for neurological damage, the ImPACT program also evaluates the characteristics of the injury and the treatments that were taken, and it creates a subject profile that includes the athlete's history. ImPACT uses a scale to rate the severity of 22 different symptoms associated with concussions.
The ImPACT program can help you properly manage concussions, the healing process as well as prevent serious injury resulting from returning to the game too soon. To learn more about ImPACT, talk to your healthcare provider or call Monroe Clinic at (608) 325-7529.
- As a board certified family practice physician, Dr. Pulley provides comprehensive health care to all members of the family. He diagnoses and treats illnesses, injuries and diseases for patients of all ages. Dr. Pulley received his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford, Illinois. He completed his family practice residency at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee, where he was a chief resident in 2004-2005. In 2007, Dr. Pulley completed a sports medicine fellowship in Billings, Montana. He has extensive sports medicine training and experience to help patients stay active, to treat sports injuries and to keep athletes on the top of their game. To make an appointment with Dr. Pulley, call Monroe Clinic - Freeport at (815) 235-1406.
