Resuming Sports After a Head Injury – How to Know You’re Ready?

Skipping
proper
recovery
could
be
catastrophic.
Conditions
like
second
impact
syndrome
are
rare
but
devastating.
That’s
why
taking
enough
time
off
from
sports
to
recover
fully
is
critical.

The
goal
is
to
ensure
that
once
athletes
return
to
play,
they
do
so
with
the
lowest
possible
risk
of
re-injury
or
other
serious
consequences.

Medical
Decision
on
Return
to
Play

A
doctor’s
clearance
is
absolutely
vital
when
deciding
the
right
time
to
return
to
sports
after
a
head
injury.
They
take
into
consideration
a
range
of
factors
that
go
beyond
just
the
present
symptoms,
including
delayed
concussion
symptoms.
According
to

My
Health
Alberta,
they
typically
evaluate:

• 
  The
  symptoms
  you
  show:
  Every
  symptom,
  from
  headaches
  to
  dizziness,
  is
  critically
  assessed
  to
  gauge
  your
  recovery
  status.
• 
  Your
  past
  medical
  and
  concussion
  history:
  Any
  previous
  incidents
  are
  considered
  to
  see
  if
  there’s
  a
  pattern
  or
  increased
  risk.
• 
  Any
  medication
  you’re
  using:
  Medications
  can
  mask
  symptoms
  of
  a
  head
  injury,
  so
  doctors
  need
  to
  ensure
  any
  sign
  of
  recovery
  is
  genuine
  and
  not
  influenced
  by
  drugs.
• 
  Your
  role
  in
  the
  sport
  and
  the
  specific
  demands
  of
  your
  position:
  Depending
  on
  whether
  you’re
  a
  goalkeeper
  or
  a
  linebacker,
  the
  risks
  and
  readiness
  factors
  can
  vary
  dramatically.
• 
  Key
  aspects
  like
  your
  balance,
  attention
  span,
  and
  cognitive
  abilities:
  These
  are
  tested
  through
  various
  physical
  and
  mental
  exercises
  to
  ensure
  you
  meet
  the
  required
  safety
  benchmarks.

Key
Factors
in
the
Medical
Decision

Individual
health
history

What’s
safe
for
one
athlete
might
be
risky
for
another
due
to
differences
in
resilience
and
past
injuries.

Current
symptoms

It’s
not
only
about
the
symptoms
being
absent
at
the
moment
of
examination.
Consistency
over
time
is
key
to
a
reliable
assessment,
ensuring
symptoms
don’t
reappear
with
physical
exertion
or
mental
stress.

Concussion
Symptom
Management

• 
  Here’s
  something
  critical:
  don’t
  rush
  back.
  You
  need
  to
  be
  completely
  symptom-free
  –
  without
  any
  medication
  –
  both
  during
  rest
  and
  while
  active.
  Medication
  can
  mask
  symptoms
  of
  a
  head
  injury,
  but
  it
  doesn’t
  mean
  you’ve
  recovered.

It’s
essential
to
achieve
a
genuine
symptom-free
state
to
prevent
recurring
injuries.

Full
recovery
is
confirmed
only
when
you
can
perform
at
your
usual
levels
of
physical
exertion
without
any
resurgence
of
symptoms.

Recovery
Protocols
for
Young
Athletes

For
kids
and
teens,
the
road
to
recovery
is
generally
longer
and
must
include
written
permission
from
a
doctor.
Their
bodies
and
brains
respond
differently
to
head
injury.

This
is
why
pediatric
sports
medicine
specialists
are
often
involved
in
the
decisions,
ensuring
that
the
young
athletes’
developmental
needs
are
taken
into
consideration.

Steps
to
Safe
Return

• 
  Initial
  rest:
  This
  step
  involves
  complete
  cessation
  from
  both
  physical
  exertion
  and
  cognitive
  stressors
  like
  video
  games
  or
  intense
  studying
  to
  allow
  the
  brain
  to
  heal.
  
  Light
  activities:
  Activities
  like
  walking
  or
  swimming
  should
  be
  kept
  gentle,
  without
  pushing
  the
  heart
  rate
  too
  high.
  This
  stage
  tests
  the
  waters,
  seeing
  how
  the
  brain
  reacts
  to
  light
  physical
  stress.
• 
  
  Sport-specific
  exercises:
  Gradually
  reintroduce
  activities
  specific
  to
  your
  sport
  but
  avoid
  any
  potential
  for
  head
  impacts.
  This
  might
  include
  running
  drills
  or
  non-contact
  practice
  versions
  of
  the
  sport.
• 
  Progression
  to
  full
  contact:
  Before
  getting
  back
  to
  normal
  gameplay,
  it’s
  crucial
  to
  ensure
  you
  can
  handle
  full-contact
  practice
  without
  symptoms.
  Only
  after
  clearing
  this
  can
  a
  player
  consider
  returning
  to
  competitive
  play.

Progression
and
Monitoring

Each
step
forward
requires
24
symptom-free
hours.
If
symptoms
reappear,
it’s
back
to
the
last
safe
level
of
activity.
It’s
crucial
to
monitor
this
progression
carefully
to
avoid
setbacks.
Monitoring
includes
not
only
tracking
symptoms
but
also
observing
the
athlete’s
response
to
increased
physical
demands,
ensuring
no
signs
of
concussion
return.

When
Multiple
Concussions
Complicate
Things

Multiple
concussions?
That
likely
means
an
even
more
cautious
approach
and
a
longer
recovery
period.
The
risks
are
real
and
can
be
life-altering,
emphasizing
why
complete
recovery
is
essential
before
returning
to
play.

Physicians
may
require
extended
periods
of
rest
and
gradual
return
to
activity
protocols
to
ensure
the
athlete’s
brain
health
is
fully
restored.

Meet
Your
Recovery
Team

Recovery
after
a
head
injury
involves
a
whole
team,
including
medical
and
therapy
professionals,
and
of
course,
your
family.
Each
plays
a
crucial
role
in
getting
you
back
to
your
best
self.
The
coordinated
efforts
of
this
team
help
tailor
recovery
programs
that
align
with
your
specific
health
needs
and
sports
goals.

Doctors,
therapists,
and
neuropsychologists
collaborate
to
provide
a

comprehensive
recovery
plan.
Their
expertise
in
sports-related
injuries
ensures
targeted
interventions
are
applied.

Emotional
and
psychological
support
from
family
and
friends
play
a
significant
role
in
an
athlete’s
recovery.
A
strong
support
system
can
be
just
as
important
as
physical
treatment
in
achieving
a
full
recovery.

Cognitive
and
Mental
Assessment

Head
injury
recovery
isn’t
just
physical.

Neuropsychological
evaluations
are
crucial
to
ensure
your
cognitive
functions
are
back
to
baseline.
This
includes
memory,
attention,
and
problem-solving
skills.

Regular
assessments
help
track
progress
and
detect
any
possible
deterioration
or
stagnation
in
recovery,
guiding
further
treatment.

Monitoring
Your
Mental
Health

Recovery
also
means
paying
attention
to
how
you’re
feeling
mentally
and
emotionally.
Regular
check-ins
for
mood
changes,
sleep
quality,
and
social
interactions
help
ensure
a
well-rounded
recovery.
Addressing
these
aspects
can
prevent
secondary
issues
like
depression
or
anxiety,
which
can
sometimes
follow
a
concussion.

Patience
in
Recovery

According
to

Christine
Greiss,
D.O.,
a
physical
medicine
and
rehabilitation
specialist
and
director
of
the
Concussion
Program
at

JFK
Johnson
Rehabilitation
Institute,
patience
is
your
best
friend
in
recovery.
Rushing
back
to
sports
could
have
serious
repercussions.

“Even
if
a
patient
wouldn’t
sustain
another
concussion,
returning
to
play
too
early
could
prolong
their
recovery,”
says
Dr.
Greiss.

Allowing
ample
time
for
the
brain
to
heal
not
only
promotes
health
in
the
short
term
but
also
safeguards
your
future
both
in
and
out
of
sports.

After
Recovery

Once
you’re
back,
staying
safe
is
key.
Dr.
Greiss
says
that
strengthening
your
neck
muscles
and
maintaining
good
nutrition
can
help
protect
you
from
future
injuries.
These
measures
are
not
just
about
recovery
but
also
about
fortifying
yourself
against
the
possibility
of
future
concussions.

Proper
nutrition
supports
overall
brain
health
and
resilience.
Ensuring
a
diet
rich
in

omega-3
fatty
acids,
antioxidants,
and
proteins
can
aid
in
maintaining
optimal
brain
function
and
recovery.

The
Bottom
Line

Recovery
after
a
head
injury
requires
informed
decisions,
careful
monitoring,
and
a
strong
support
network.
Always
keep
in
mind
that
it’s
not
just
about
getting
back
to
the
game
but
ensuring
you
can
play
it
safely
for
years
to
come.

Sources

1.
My
Health
Alberta
–

Returning
to
Play
After
a
Head
Injury
During
a
Sporting
Event