Assessment of Mild Head Injury Using Measures of Balance and Cognition: A Case Study

1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan L. Riemann ◽  
Kevin M. Guskiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Head Injury ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Football Player ◽  
Athletic Participation ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Mild Head Injury ◽  
Collegiate Football

Mild head injury (MHI) represents one of the most challenging neurological pathologies occurring during athletic participation. Athletic trainers and sports medicine personnel are often faced with decisions about the severity of head injury and the timing of an athlete's return to play following MHI. Returning an athlete to competition following MHI too early can be a catastrophic mistake. This case study involves a 20-year-old collegiate football player who sustained three mild head injuries during one season. The case study demonstrates how objective measures of balance and cognition can be used when making decisions about returning an athlete to play following MHI. These measures can be used to supplement the subjective guidelines proposed by many physicians.

A Rare injury in Collegiate Athletics—The Lisfranc Fracture-Dislocation

1993 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-286
Author(s):  
Keith M. Gorse ◽  
Graham Johnstone ◽  
Jennifer Cruse
Keyword(s):  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Football Player ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Collegiate Athletics ◽  
Fracture Dislocation ◽  
Team Physician ◽  
Rare Injury ◽  
Type Of Injury

A rare injury in collegiate athletics is the Lisfranc fracture-dislocation of the foot. This case study will give team physicians and athletic trainers an idea of what to look for in this type of injury. It will be shown how an 18-year-old college football player received the injury, how it was evaluated by the sports medicine staff, and how it was surgically treated by the team physician. Finally, the athlete's rehabilitation will be summarized and the time frame during which full activities were started again will be outlined. This case study will give sports medicine specialists a better understanding of the Lisfranc topic and how to deal with it.

Return to Activity Considerations in a Football Player Predisposed to Exertional Heat Illness: A Case Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Emmanuel Coris ◽  
Stephen Walz ◽  
Jeff Konin ◽  
Michele Pescasio
Keyword(s):  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Football Player ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Heat Illness ◽  
Competitive Sport ◽  
Exertional Heat Illness ◽  
The Third ◽  
Return To Activity ◽  
Medicine Team

Context:Heat illness is the third leading cause of death in athletics and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in exercising athletes. Once faced with a case of heat related illness, severe or mild, the health care professional is often faced with the question of when to reactivate the athlete for competitive sport. Resuming activity without modifying risk factors could lead to recurrence of heat related illness of similar or greater severity. Also, having had heat illness in and of itself may be a risk factor for future heat related illness. The decision to return the athlete and the process of risk reduction is complex and requires input from all of the components of the team. Involving the entire sports medicine team often allows for the safest, most successful return to play strategy. Care must be taken once the athlete does begin to return to activity to allow for re-acclimatization to exercise in the heat prior to resumption particularly following a long convalescent period after more severe heat related illness.

scholarly journals Exacerbation of Pre-existing Epilepsy by Mild Head Injury: a Five Patient Series

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.C. Tai ◽  
D.W. Gross
Keyword(s):  
Head Injury ◽  
Temporal Relationship ◽  
Seizure Control ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Mild Head Injury ◽  
Primary Generalized Epilepsy ◽  
Generalized Epilepsy ◽  
One Year ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy

Objective:While the risk of developing seizures following a mild head injury has been reported and is thought to be low, the effect of mild head injury on patients with a pre-existing seizure disorder has not been reported. We present a series of cases where a strong temporal relationship between mild head injury and worsening of seizure frequency was observed.Methods:Five cases were identified and reviewed in detail. Information was derived from clinic and hospital charts with attention to the degree of injury, pre- and postinjury seizure patterns and frequency.Results:One patient has primary generalized epilepsy and four have localization related epilepsy. Prior to the head injury, three of the patients were seizure free (range: two to 24 years). The patients suffered from mild head injuries with no or transient loss of consciousness and no focal neurological deficits. In all cases, the patients experienced a worsening of seizure control within days of the injury. In one case, the patient's seizure pattern returned to baseline one year after the accident, while in the remaining four cases, the patients continue to have medically refractory seizures.Conclusion:A close temporal relationship between mild head injury and a worsening of seizure control was observed in five patients with epilepsy. Although further study is required, this observation suggests that a head injury that would be considered benign in the general population can have serious consequences such as recurrence of seizures and medical intractability in patients with epilepsy.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Concussion in Quidditch

Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (14 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S21.1-S21
Author(s):  
Michael Pepper ◽  
Jeff Wayland ◽  
Adam Elwood ◽  
Spencer Walser ◽  
Vi Tran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head Injury ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Basic Care ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
Traditional Sports ◽  
Repetitive Injury

ObjectiveThe aim of our study is to assess the rate of concussion occurring while engaging in nontraditional sports such as Quidditch, and the effects that injury during a novelty sport may have on concussion detection when compared to more traditional sports.BackgroundConcussions, once dismissed as nonconsequential, are rapidly attracting notice for acute and long-term health effects. Rates of recovery with repeated trauma is known to decrease with each occurrence. In novelty sports, regulation of concussions and proper return-to-play(RTP) protocol are not routinely enforced, resulting in repetitive injury to the detriment of players.Design/MethodsIRB approval was obtained prior to survey distribution to all players associated with Major League Quidditch (MLQ). Responses were recorded and analyzed.Results157 responses were received. 63% were male and 37% female with mean age 22.9. 146 (93%) respondents confirmed or denied quidditch-related head injury. 22 (15%) denied head injury and 124 (85%) indicated hitting their heads while participating in the sport. 19% of respondents indicated >10 head injuries. 67 (54%) reported suspected concussion with an additional 41 (33%) reporting formal diagnosis with at least one concussion. EMS reported 18 injuries at MLQ matches. 5 (27.8%) were preliminarily diagnosed with concussion. 3 had no further treatment, 1 RTP and 1 received basic care. 0 recieved formal neurologic evaluation. Players were also asked about head injuries sustained in non-quidditch activities for comparison. 43 (27%) reported having medically diagnosed concussions outside of quidditch. 53 (34%) reported at least one suspected concussion without formal diagnosis. 24 (15%) answered maybe.ConclusionsOur data supports that concussion is a significant burden in novelty sports such as quidditch. It is vital to recognize that with the rise of nontraditional sports, the prevalence of concussions in younger nontraditional athletes may be underreported and that concussion specialists must be cognizant of both traditional and novelty sports when evaluating long term effects of head trauma.

scholarly journals Clavicular Fracture in a Collegiate Football Player: A Case Report of Rapid Return to Play

2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah B. Rabe ◽  
Gretchen D. Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Football Player ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Clavicular Fracture ◽  
Rehabilitation Protocols ◽  
Division I Football

Abstract Objective: To present the case of surgical treatment and rehabilitation of a midshaft clavicular fracture in a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football athlete. Background: While attempting to catch a pass during practice, the athlete jumped up and then landed on the tip of his shoulder. On-the-field evaluation was inconclusive, with a sideline evaluation diagnosis of clavicular fracture. Postinjury radiographs revealed a midshaft clavicular fracture. Differential Diagnosis: Spiral oblique midshaft clavicular fracture. Treatment: The sports medicine staff discussed surgical and nonsurgical options. A surgical procedure of internal fixation with an 8-hole plate was performed. Uniqueness: Surgical treatment for clavicular fractures is becoming increasingly common. This is the first report of an advanced rehabilitation protocol for surgical repair. We suggest that new rehabilitation protocols for clavicular repairs be investigated now that surgical treatment is being pursued more frequently. Conclusions: More aggressive treatment procedures and rehabilitation protocols for clavicular fractures have evolved in recent years. With these medical advancements, athletes are able to return to play much more quickly without compromising their health and safety.

scholarly journals Collegiate Athletic Trainers' Experiences With External Pressures Faced During Decision Making

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 409-415
Author(s):  
Alicia M. Pike Lacy ◽  
Stephanie Mazerolle Singe ◽  
Thomas G. Bowman
Keyword(s):  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Division I ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Major Theme ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Medical Decisions

Context Conflict is prevalent between sports medicine professionals and coaching staffs regarding return-to-play decisions for athletes after injury in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I setting. The firsthand experiences of athletic trainers (ATs) regarding such conflict have not been fully investigated. Objective To better understand the outside pressures ATs face when making medical decisions regarding patient care and return to play after injury in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) setting. Design Qualitative study. Setting Semistructured one-on-one telephone interviews. Patients or Other Participants Nine ATs (4 men, 5 women; age = 31 ± 8 years [range = 24–48 years]; years certified = 9 ± 8). Data Collection and Analysis Interviews were audio recorded and later transcribed. Thematic analysis was completed phenomenologically. Researcher triangulation, peer review, and member checks were used to establish trustworthiness. Results Two major themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) pressure is an expected component of the Division I FBS AT role, and (2) strategies can be implemented to mitigate the negative effects of pressure. Three subthemes supported the second major theme: (1) ensuring ongoing and frequent communication with stakeholders about an injured athlete's status and anticipated timeline for return to play, (2) providing a rationale to coaches or administrations to foster an understanding of why specific medical decisions are being made, and (3) establishing positive relationships with coaches, athletes, and administrations. Conclusions External pressure regarding medical decisions was an anticipated occurrence for our sample. Such pressure was described as a natural part of the position, not negative but rather a product of the culture and environment of the Division I FBS setting. Athletic trainers who frequently face pressure from coaches and administration should use the aforementioned strategies to improve the workplace dynamic and foster an environment that focuses on patient-centered care.

scholarly journals Clinical Factors Predictive for Intracranial Hemorrhage in Mild Head Injury

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaiyaporn Yuksen ◽  
Yuwares Sittichanbuncha ◽  
Jayanton Patumanond ◽  
Sombat Muengtaweepongsa ◽  
Kasamon Aramvanitch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head Injury ◽  
Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽  
Alcohol Intoxication ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Loss Of Consciousness ◽  
Mild Head Injury ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
History Of ◽  
Gcs Score

Patients with mild head injuries, a GCS of 13–15, are at risk for intracranial hemorrhage. Clinical decision is needed to weigh between risks of intracranial hemorrhage and costs of the CT scan of the brain particularly those who are equivocal. This study aimed to find predictors for intracranial hemorrhage in patients with mild head injuries with a moderate risk of intracranial hemorrhage. We defined moderate risk of mild head injury as a GCS score of 13–15 accompanied by at least one symptom such as headache, vomiting, or amnesia or with alcohol intoxication. There were 153 patients who met the study criteria. Eighteen of the patients (11.76%) had intracranial hemorrhage. There were four independent factors associated with intracranial hemorrhage: history of hypertension, headache, loss of consciousness, and baseline GCS. The sensitivity for the presence of intracranial hemorrhage was 100% with the cutoff point for the GCS of 13. In conclusion, the independent factors associated with intracranial hemorrhage in patients with mild head injury who were determined to be at moderate risk for the condition included history of hypertension, headache, loss of consciousness, and baseline GCS score.

scholarly journals Isolated Anterior Compartment Syndrome After a Bimalleolar-Equivalent Ankle Fracture in a Collegiate Football Player

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 560-563
Author(s):  
Adam M. Starr ◽  
Kenneth G. Swan ◽  
Kenneth G. Swan
Keyword(s):  
Compartment Syndrome ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Ankle Fracture ◽  
Football Player ◽  
Fracture Dislocation ◽  
Student Athlete ◽  
Anterior Compartment ◽  
Medicine Physician ◽  
Collegiate Football ◽  
Orthopaedic Injuries

Compartment syndrome after an ankle fracture is an extremely rare and potentially devastating event. The authors report a case of an isolated anterior compartment syndrome in a college student athlete who suffered a bimalle olar ankle fracture dislocation. A review of the literature highlights the importance of vigilance when the sports medicine physician and the community orthopaedist are treating these seemingly basic orthopaedic injuries.

scholarly journals Case Study: The Conservative Management and Rehabilitation of Insertional Patella Tendinopathy in an Elite Footballer

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Rhodes ◽  
◽  
Mark Leather ◽  
Andrew Proctor
Keyword(s):  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Clearance Level ◽  
Design Case Study ◽  
Patella Tendinopathy

Background and Purpose: Chronic insertional patella tendinopathy is a complex condition to manage within elite athletes. Pain and symptoms increase when spikes or changes in relation to training or game load are experienced. These spikes are often seen in football on return to training or in periods of fixture congestion, presenting a contemporary challenge for the sports medicine team. Study Design: Case Study. Case Description: The presented case summarises the conservative rehabilitation and pain free return to play of a 24 years (yrs) old elite professional footballer with a long-standing history of patella tendinopathy. Symptoms returned post a spike in training load during pre-season, with a diagnosis of a 7.4 mm insertional thickening detected through magnetic resonance imaging. Presented is a summary of the assessment process, 24-week treatment and rehabilitation protocol and subsequent 12-week pre-habilitation plan, routinely completed on return to training and game play. Outcomes: The implemented management strategy led to the successful symptom free return to play of the athlete. Conclusion: The management of this injury was facilitated through subjective and objective assessment markers and imaging obtained to manage the athlete’s symptoms. The authors suggest that medical and conditioning based specialists could apply a rounded loading approach with prescribed isometric and isotonic drills before progression to energy release and pitch-based training to advance the athlete through a safe and controlled return to sport clearance. Level of Evidence: 5.

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