Concussion Discussed by Coaches & Copley Hospital ProvidersFor Immediate Release01/27/2010
Concussion is the most common type of brain injury sustained in sports. Area high school coaches met with Copley Hospital physicians and therapists last week to learn more about this common injury. Neurologist Jean Marie Prunty, MD; orthopedic surgeon Bryan Huber, MD; certified athletic trainer Vin Faraci and physical therapists Peter Kramer and Jane Eliasson met with the coaches to provide information ranging from recognition of signs and symptoms of concussion, emergency care, home care and ImPACT testing.
A concussion can happen when an athlete collides with another athlete, falls or receives a blow to the head. An estimated ten percent of all athletes participating in contact sports suffer a concussion each season. Once an athlete has sustained a concussion, that athlete is at greater risk of sustaining another concussion. “The good news is that most athletes recover from concussions completely and can return to play following an appropriate period of recovery,” said Faraci.
While a concussion may not be life-threatening, it can cause both short-term and long-term problems. Dr. Prunty stressed to coaches that the key to a successful recovery depends on time and rest. “The best way to prevent difficulties with concussions is to manage the injury properly, giving the athlete time to recover,” she said. “Determining when the athlete can return to play needs to be made carefully.” It is a message she hopes parents will also consider as they anxiously await for their child to return to play after suffering a hard hit to the head. Dr. Prunty also provided an anatomy lesson, explaining why concussions in adolescents and young adults are so problematic and why recovery time for younger athletes may take longer as the brain is not fully developed.
The coaches also learned about Post-Concussion Syndrome, a condition that can be quite disabling for an athlete with symptoms lasting for several months, and for some, longer. Its symptoms can include chronic headaches, fatigue and sleep difficulties.
Dr. Prunty also pressed the importance of ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing), a computerized evaluation system that helps determine concussion severity. She explains that through a series of computerized tests, ImPACT identifies subtle changes in brain function, evaluates post-injury condition, and tracks recovery. By comparing a baseline test [pre-season neuropsychological test] and post-injury test results, ImPACT can help determine the extent of damage caused by a concussion. “This test assists physicians and athletic trainers in making return-to-play decisions,” Dr. Prunty said.
Before leaving, each coach attending received a Copley Concussion Card; a guide to recognizing and treating a concussion. A copy of the Concussion Card is available on Copley’s website, www.copleyvt.org.
Copley Hospital’s Rehabilitation Department has been working with area schools for a number of years, providing on-site athletic training services – services that include injury evaluation, taping and wrapping, injury prevention education and training sessions. These same athletes participating in the school-based program may utilize the clinic at Mansfield Orthopaedics for evaluation and treatment during the week. Copley currently provides this contract service at Peoples Academy, Lamoille Union High School and Stowe High School.
“Our goal, like that of our coaching community, is to keep student athletes healthy and in play. Providing vital services like the school-based athletic training program and educational discussions with our area coaches will ensure our athletes stay in top form,” states Peter Kramer.
Contact Information
Leah Hollenberger
Senior Director Marketing, Development & Public Relations
Copley Health Systems
802-888-8301
lhollenberger@chsi.org
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