• A concussion is a brain injury.
• All concussions are serious.
• Concussions can occur without loss of consciousness.
• Concussions can occur in any sport.
• Recognition and proper management of concussions when they first occur can help prevent further injury or even death.

At The Concussion Center at Georgia Sports Medicine, our Sports Concussion Program consists of evaluation of the injured athlete by a physician followed by a neuropsychological testing. The neuropsychological test we use to evaluate cognitive function is called ImPACT. Through ImPACT we are able to evaluate, document and measure various brain functions, including memory, processing speed, reaction time and symptoms. With proper medical care and neuropsychological testing, our physicians are able to determine when an athlete has recovered from a concussion and can safely return to school and sports.

Poor management of a concussion can result in serious long term brain injury.  All athletes with a concussion deserve the same treatment that professional athletes receive for their concussions.

We highly recommend baseline ImPACT testing prior to the season for contact sports.  The test can be re-administered 24-72 hours after a concussion and before the return to competition.  In addition to ImPACT testing, a thorough medical evaluation is necessary after a concussion.  This includes a neuropsychological assessment.  CT and MRI examinations will be performed when indicated to rule out a more serious structural injury. 

Recovery from a concussion may take several days to weeks.  Cognitive and physical rest is the key to recovery after a concussion.  Staying home from school is frequently the best thing that can be done to speed up the recovery after a concussion. 

Once the signs and symptoms of a concussion have resolved, a gradual progression back to activity can be initiated.  Once the athlete tolerates light activity more sports specific training may be started.  Non-contact drills are followed by full-contact drills.  If no symptoms return, the athlete may return back to competition.

If at any point signs or symptoms of a concussion return, the athlete must decrease their activity level.  The athlete must be asymptomatic, have normal ImPACT test results and have completed a progression back to activity before returning to competition.  Honesty by the athlete regarding their symptoms is critical to this process.  Athletes should not return to play without clearance from a physician.

Late effects of a concussion may include short term memory problems, academic difficulties, fatigue and sleep disturbances, irritability, and depression.  School teachers, coaches, nurses and administrators should be familiar with signs and symptoms of a concussion to monitor a athlete academically during their recovery.