Essential Keys to Return to Sport After a Concussion
A Comprehensive Guide for Patients
Suffering a concussion can be a daunting experience, particularly for athletes eager to return to their sport. However, prioritizing your brain health and safety is crucial during the concussion recovery process. Humans are complicated! Each person does not experience the same recovery pathway.
We will guide you to explore what you need to know about returning to sport after a concussion, including the signs and symptoms of concussion, the recovery process, and steps to return to athletic activities safely.
Understanding Concussion:
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs due to a blow to the head or body, resulting in injury to the brain. Sudden movements can “slosh” the brain around and disrupt normal brain function, leading to headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, neck pain, and sensitivity to light or noise. It's essential for all of us to recognize the signs of concussion and to seek attention promptly if you suspect you've sustained a head injury. Concussions do not require a loss of consciousness or being knocked out. Loss of consciousness is only seen in 10% of concussions.
Recovery Process:
Recovering from a concussion requires time, patience, and proper management. Most adults recover within two weeks. Children and adolescents take longer to recover from concussion than adults, often up to one month. Initially, for the first day or two, relative rest is important to allow the brain to start the healing process. Relative rest means avoiding physical exertion that increases your headache or any other symptom(s) by more than two (2) on a pain scale of ten (10). Initially, limiting electronic screen time to a day or two is useful. Getting plenty of sleep is a must. We may also recommend cognitive (thinking) rest, which involves minimizing activities that require concentration, such as reading or studying.
You should expect your concussion symptoms to steadily improve. At NeuroSport, we use the early introduction of a guided program using light aerobic exercise, such as walking or stationary cycling, to heal the brain by promoting brain blood flow, which should accelerate the recovery process. However, avoiding activities that increase the risk of head injury, such as contact sports or activities with a higher risk of falling, is crucial.
Graduated Return-to-Sport Protocol:
Returning to sport after a concussion should follow a structured and gradual approach known as the Graduated Return-to-Sport Protocol. This protocol aims to safely reintegrate you into athletic activities while minimizing the risk of re-injury. The protocol typically consists of five stages, each with specific criteria that must be met before progressing to the next stage. It is important you know if your symptoms increase at any step – STOP – and return to the previous step!
Step 1: Symptom-Limited Activity.
During this stage, you should engage in light physical activity that does not increase your concussion symptoms. This may include walking, gentle stretching, or light aerobic exercise. It's essential to monitor your symptoms closely and refrain from activities that increase your symptoms.
Step 2: Light Aerobic Exercise.
Once you can tolerate light physical activity without experiencing a significant increase in symptoms, you can progress to stage two. In this stage, you gradually increase the intensity and duration of your aerobic exercise, such as jogging or swimming laps. Again, it's important to listen to your body and avoid overexertion, which increases your concussion symptoms.
Step 3: Sport-Specific.
Exercise at this stage, you can begin adding sport-specific drills and exercises into your routine. However, these activities should be non-contact and low-risk to minimize the chance of re-injury. Focus on technique and skill development rather than intensity.
Step 4: Non-Contact Training Drills.
You can progress to stage four once you can participate in sport-specific exercises without experiencing concussion symptoms. This stage involves engaging in non-contact training drills with teammates or coaches, focusing on agility, coordination, and decision-making skills.
Step 5: Full Contact Practice.
The final stage of the Graduated Return-to-Sport Protocol involves participating in full-contact practice sessions with your team. You must been cleared for this stage by a qualified healthcare provider! Your provider should help you ease into full-contact activities gradually and help you communicate openly with your coach about any concerns. Make sure you stop any activity that increases the symptoms.
Key Considerations:
Returning to sports after a concussion is a highly individualized process, and the timeline for recovery varies from person to person. Working closely with your healthcare provider and following their guidance throughout the recovery process is essential. Additionally, prioritize your safety and well-being over the desire to return to sport quickly. Rushing the recovery process increases the risk of re-injury, causes longer delays in return to sport, and increases the potential for long-term complications.
Conclusion:
Returning to sports after a concussion requires patience, diligence, and proper guidance. By adhering to the Graduated Return-to-Sport Protocol and prioritizing your health and safety, most individuals can safely reintegrate into athletic activities while minimizing re-injury risk. Remember to listen to your body, maintain open communication with your healthcare provider and coaches, and allow yourself the necessary time to fully recover before resuming full participation in sports.
If you find yourself encountering persistent challenges in resolving your concussion symptoms, rest assured that you are not alone. Research indicates that between 10 and 30% of adults with concussions do not experience symptom resolution within the typical two-week timeframe. If your symptoms are not showing steady improvement, it's crucial to seek assistance from a healthcare provider with specialized training in concussion management, such as the expert doctors at NeuroSport Spine and Concussion Center. They possess the knowledge and experience to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment tailored to your individual needs, guiding you on the path to recovery and ensuring your well-being remains the top priority.
