Although it is routine for kids playing football, soccer, or even basketball to suffer concussions, many of them go unreported, putting kids in danger.
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury, and it is usually recoverable with rest within two weeks. However, if an athlete plays on with a concussion, and they receive three or more before taking the time to heal, they can suffer substantial permanent brain injury. The problem is that student athletes are often reluctant to report their injuries. Socialization into the sporting culture has already begun, and they are afraid of showing weakness for fear that they’ll be benched.
This is equally true for girls as well as boys. Studies indicate that girls suffer a 68 percent higher rate of concussion than boys in soccer and a 300 percent higher rate in basketball, but girls are almost as likely to conceal their injury as boys.
If we look at professional sports, it is not hard to see where students might be getting their reluctance to speak. The recent controversy over Trent Green being forced to play despite his concussions shows just how deeply-ingrained the “just shake it off” culture is in sports, and how much it will take to change it. It also shows the level of technology that is available, such as the CereTom, the portable, cordless brain scanner that can transmit its data to radiologists worldwide.
There is also the Head Impact Telemetry (HIT) System developed by Symbex corporation, which allows coaches to simultaneously monitor dozens of players as they suffer helmet impacts and send a warning if any impact is likely to cause a concussion.
Although neither of these technologies is affordable for high-school athletics programs, one practice they have instituted can help diagnose concussions in student athletes: baseline testing. This is a simple procedure where all athletes take a series of memory-related tests before the season, then take them again if a concussion is suspected. The concussion will typically show up as a decrease in short-term memory. Once diagnosed, the concussion can be treated and athletes can typically be back to practicing and playing within weeks.
Unfortunately, all brain injuries carry with them the potential of permanent memory and cognitive loss. If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury, your expenses and damage could be much more serious than you initially realize and you should consult a lawyer, such as the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, serving Chicago, Rockford, and Aurora.
