Specialized Sports Medicine Care in Colorado Springs

Concussions

Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group

Sports injuries can happen to competitive athletes, active adults, weekend athletes, and anyone who enjoys staying physically active. Whether caused by an acute injury or repetitive stress, these problems can affect your performance and keep you from doing the activities you enjoy.

CSOG provides comprehensive sports medicine care for a wide range of injuries and conditions affecting the joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Our specialists emphasize accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment, with options that may include rehabilitation, physical therapy, injections, minimally invasive procedures, and surgery when necessary.

Our approach is focused not only on treating the immediate injury but also on helping you safely regain strength, mobility, and confidence. The goal is to help you return to your sport or activity at the appropriate stage of recovery.

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What is a Concussion?

A concussion, also called a mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs as a result of a blow or an injury to the head. Concussions are common in people involved in sports such as football, ice hockey, snow skiing, bicycling, etc. Usually, a concussion may be mild and does not result in long-term damage, but repeated concussions can cause permanent brain damage.

Causes for Concussions

Your brain is protected by cerebrospinal fluid within your skull that acts as a shock absorber against minor trauma to the head. However, the brain can be injured in case of severe trauma such as:

• A strong blow to the head that causes the brain to forcefully impact the inner wall of the skull
• Abrupt acceleration and deacceleration of the head that may be caused by a motor vehicular accident
• Violent shaking of the head and neck
• A blast injury

Symptoms of a Concussion

The symptoms may be immediate or delayed and can include:

• Temporary loss of consciousness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Sensitivity to light
• Sleep pattern changes

Complications of Concussions

Some of the potential complications of a concussion injury include:

• Post-traumatic headaches that may last for about 7 days
• Post-traumatic vertigo that may continue for weeks and months after the injury
• Post-concussion syndrome which is characterized by headaches, dizziness, and difficulty thinking clearly that lasts longer than 3 months after the injury
• Rapid brain swelling which may occur if a second concussive injury occurs before full recovery from the initial injury

Diagnosis of Concussions

A diagnosis of a concussion may be made by your doctor based on:

• Evaluation of your signs and symptoms
• Review of medical history
• Neurological examination, which includes testing vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength, and sensation
• Cognitive testing, which includes memory and concentration ability testing
• Imagining tests such as a brain MRI or CT scan to look for signs of bleeding or other abnormalities within the brain
• A period of observation at the hospital or home as signs and symptoms may develop after a few hours or days following the injury.

Treatment of Concussions

The treatment may involve the following measures:

• Taking prescribed medications for symptomatic relief.
• Getting plenty of sleep during the night as well as taking a nap during the day.
• Refraining from activities that can stress your mind.
• Refraining from sports or games that may worsen concussion symptoms.

Prevention of Concussions

The risk of sustaining a concussion may be reduced by the following measures:

• Wearing a well-fitting helmet and other protective equipment while participating in sports or recreational activities.
• Buckling your seatbelt when driving or riding in a motor vehicle
• Keeping your home clutter-free and well-lit to prevent falls
• Exercising regularly to improve mobility, strength, and balance