Citation

Shim J, Smith DH, Van Lunen BL. J. Sport Rehab. 2014; 24(1): 72-76.

Affiliation

School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/jsr.2013-0058

PMID

24589692

Abstract

CLINICAL SCENARIO: Over the past decade, sport-related concussions have received increased attention due to their frequency and severity over a wide range of athletics. Clinicians have developed return to play protocols to better manage concussions in the young athlete; however, a standardized process projecting the length of recovery time following concussion has remained an elusive piece of the puzzle. The recovery times associated with such an injury once diagnosed can last anywhere from one week to several months. Risk factors that could lead to protracted recovery times include a history of one or multiple concussions and a greater number, severity and duration of symptoms following the injury. Examining the possible relationship between on-field/sideline signs and symptoms and recovery times would give clinicians the confident ability to properly treat and manage an athlete's recovery process in a more systematic manner. Furthermore, identifying factors following a head injury that may be predictive of protracted recovery times would be useful information for the athlete, parents, and coaches alike.

Language: en