Page 27 - Waterfall City September Issue 2023

The treatment team typically includes sports physicians,
physiotherapists, neuropsychologists, radiologists and
exercise therapists, and may also involve neurologists
and/or neurosurgeons if the patient requires
hospitalisation in the event of more complex concussion
injuries.

“Today, updated protocols allow us to individualise
concussion management to precisely tailor treatments
to address specific areas of deficit. Scientifically validated
Pectus bars post-operative
computer brain function testing before the sport season
starts provides a useful baseline for clinical assessment in
the event of suspected concussion,” he says.

“The pre-season clinical and computerised cognitive
testing can be performed at the school, and these results
enable doctors to compare reaction times, memory and
other significant measures post injury. This provides
specially valuable insight as a point of comparison for
assessing and safely managing the patient if they should
suffer a head injury during the season, or even years later,
as concussion is not usually detectable with standard CT
or MRI scans after an accident.

“Importantly, concussions can be treated. In fact, failure
to do so may result in residual deficits and an increased
likelihood of further concussions.”

Why it matters
“It is essential for parents and for anyone involved in
amateur or school sports to be aware of the dangers of
concussion and take reasonable precautions to prevent or
mitigate the risk to players. Especially for the developing
Crucial information, including the latest 2023 guidelines brains of children and teenagers, it can be harmful to rush
on what to do when a concussion is suspected, how to a return to school or training too soon,” Patricios says.
monitor the person at home after the injury if they are not
hospitalised, and protocols for returning to learning and “Exercise is medicine. It is now utilised early in the return
sports after concussion, are available for free download at to a normal routine, helping to stimulate recovery. The
http://www.sportsconcussion.co.za/management-protocols/ days of ‘lying in a dark room’ after a concussion are over.
use-these-tools/. Exposure to potential collisions is another matter – such
activities should only be considered under medical
“After a concussion, guidance should be sought regarding guidance.
returning to work, school, sport or exercise,” advises
Patricios. “Concussion symptoms must be observed on “One of the primary dangers is second impact syndrome.
an ongoing basis until they have cleared completely, and This can happen when a person has concussion and later,
the guidelines for a gradual step-wise return to normal within a week or so, receives a second blow to the head –
activities followed.” even a relatively mild impact bump could be very serious
and even potentially fatal.
Sports concussion centres, such as those located at Netcare
Waterfall City Hospital, the Centre for Sports Medicine at “With more public awareness and the freely available
Netcare Rosebank Hospital and Sports Medicine Africa at concussion guidelines, tragedies and long-term brain
Netcare Krugersdorp Hospital, incorporate multidisciplinary damage related to concussion in sports can be minimised,
expertise in their approach to clinical assessment, monitoring and outcomes for affected amateur and school sports
and therapy for concussion recovery. players can be optimised,” Patricios concludes.

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