"The days of playing after getting your bell rung is no longer a testament to toughness." O.C.REGISTER 11-12-09

Why is Concussion so risky - condition is still under reported?

GRAFTON, MA February 23, 2011 - It is now well known that an athlete suffering with concussion cannot work as efficiently as before.  The change in cognitive functioning after concussion takes 5-9 days for healing to take place.  lace.  Here in Massachusetts, the MIAA now requires that a physician be the one to clear the student to return to play.  This is a prudent recommendation unless the pediatrician is not clear on the latest standard of care for concussion management. Consultation between the pediatrician and concussion specialist is essential.  The Concussion Assessment and Management Program (CAMP) helps pediatricians, schools, and individual teams and athletes understand sports-related concussion and the importance of a carefully planned recovery protocol.  At the center of this protocol is the identification of baseline and post-injury cognitive function testing.  Just as important is the return-to-school protocol. 

National TBI Estimates - true incidence not known

Each year, an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI annually.¹ Of them:

• 52,000 die,
• 275,000 are hospitalized, and
• 1.365 million, nearly 80%, are treated and released from an emergency department.
• True incidence of mild brain injury is not known but may be as much as 5 milion cases

TBI is a contributing factor to a third (30.5%) of all injury-related deaths in the United States.

About 75% of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild TBI.

CDC WEBSITE

 Dr. Michael Sefton is a school psychologist and concussion specialist who is trained in the neuropsychology of head injury.  Dr. Sefton uses both computerized cognitive testing and standardized protocols for measuring recovery from sports concussion.  Consultation with trainers and coaches is essential following a concussion to assure for managed return to play.