Getting back to activities (2024)

FAQs

What is a second impact syndrome? ›

Second impact syndrome is a condition in which an individual experiences a second head injury before completely recovering from a prior head injury. It is thought that athletes who sustain a concussion and return to their sport early are at exceptionally high risk.

An athlete's progression through the Return to Play Protocol should be monitored by a designated return to play case manager such as a coach, athletic trainer, or school nurse. Each step should take a minimum of 24 hours; it should take at least one week to proceed through the full Return to Play Protocol.

The 7-step RTP protocol consists of the following steps: (1) complete cognitive rest, (2) full return to school, (3) light exercise, (4) running progression, (5) noncontact training drills and weight training, (6) full-contact practice or training, and (7) return to game play.

It affects children and teenagers more frequently and more severely than adults, and leads to death in almost 50% of cases. The intercollegiate sports with the greatest risk of concussion are ice hockey, football, and both men's and women's soccer.

Rowan's Law requires that all coaches and team trainers review the government-approved Concussion Awareness Resources every year before serving in a sport organization or at a school.

Tool 2.5 “Four P's” for Concussion Care – Prioritize, Plan, Pace and Position.

If you are an athlete or a parent of an athlete, you may have heard of the three-strike rule. This was developed 60 years ago and essentially said that an athlete who has suffered three concussions in a season will have to sit out for the rest of that season. However, this rule is not based on scientific data.

During the acute symptomatic phase, it is typical that thinking and physical activity can make symptoms worse. Exposure to bright lights, loud sounds, and movement may also worsen symptoms. During the acute symptomatic phase, any activity that worsens symptoms should be avoided or limited.

Calm activities such as talking to family and friends, reading, drawing, or playing a quiet game are OK. Avoid all screen time (including TVs, computers, and smartphones) for the first 2 days after the concussion. If symptoms get worse with an activity, take a break from it.

When to return to activity after a concussion? ›

After a brief 24- to 48-hour rest period, kids and teens can start doing some light activity, such as riding an exercise bike or going for a brisk walk or slow jog as long as it doesn't make the concussion symptoms worse.

Summary. Always seek medical attention for a head injury. There is no specific treatment for mild head injury other than plenty of rest and not overdoing things. It can take some time for the brain to recover from a head injury and during this time, headaches, dizziness and mild cognitive (thought) problems are common.

You won't slip into a coma or die if you go to sleep after getting a concussion. It's safe for a concussed person to sleep if they are awake and can hold a conversation and they don't have obvious concussion symptoms. You'll likely want to allow for plenty of sleep so the body's natural healing process can begin.

Someone should stay with you for 24 hours. Do not drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours after a head injury. Do not drink alcohol, take sleeping pills or drugs for at least 48 hours.

The condition worsens rapidly will loss of consciousness, loss of eye movement, dilated pupils, coma, and then respiratory failure. This can all take place within minutes on the sideline.

Hence, there is a window of vulnerability for approximately 10-15 days after an initial head injury. The rapid increase in intracranial pressure may lead to herniation and compression of the brainstem, causing dilation of the pupils, respiratory failure and potentially death within minutes.

Unfortunately, treatment for second impact syndrome is limited and requires hospitalization with neurosurgical management. Identification of head injuries and utilization of proper return-to-play protocol is the best way to promote a safe return to sport.

CTE doesn't appear to be related to a single head injury. It's related to repeated head injuries, often occurring in contact sports or military combat. The development of CTE has been associated with second impact syndrome, in which a second head injury happens before previous head injury symptoms have fully resolved.