Second Impact Syndrome: A Rare, Devastating Consequence of Repetitive Concussions

Rehabilitation of Concussion and Persistent Postconcussive Symptoms

Concussion and persistent postconcussive symptoms (PPCS) are encountered by clinicians in sports medicine, pediatrics, neurology, physiatry, emergency medicine, and primary care. Clinical management may require a multidisciplinary approach. This article presents a structured method for the diagnosis of concussion and PPCS in the outpatient setting, which includes a history, physical examination, and additional tests as clinically indicated to help identify underlying symptom generators. Treatment for concussion and PPCS should be individualized, based on predominant signs and symptoms, and can include subsymptom threshold aerobic exercise, cervical physical therapy, vestibulo-ocular rehabilitation, behavioral and cognitive psychotherapy, and some symptom-specific pharmacological therapies.

Physician Medical Assessment in a Multidisciplinary Concussion Clinic

Concussive brain injury (CBI) is encountered by clinicians in sports medicine, pediatrics, neurosurgery, neurology, physiatry, and primary care. There is no gold standard diagnostic test for CBI, nor is there consensus on what neuromusculoskeletal physical examination tests should be performed on patients who have sustained CBI. This article presents an approach to the history and physical examination of the patient who has sustained a CBI that is based on a review of the literature evidence and the authors' extensive experience with this patient population. Suggested components include an elemental neurological examination that emphasizes the oculomotor/ophthalmologic and vestibular systems, as well as appropriate musculoskeletal assessment of the craniocervical and upper shoulder girdle complex. The use of supplementary tests for CBI, including assessment of exercise tolerance using the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test and tests of neurocognitive function, can aid in the differential diagnosis of CBI. The proposed protocol is envisioned for initial and follow-up assessments in the clinic after CBI, as well as for those with more protracted signs or symptoms. If symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks in adults or 4 weeks in adolescents, then referral to a multidisciplinary center that focuses on CBI is recommended.

A systematic review of criteria used to define recovery from sport-related concussion in youth athletes

OBJECTIVE

The Concussion in Sport Group guidelines recommend a multifaceted approach to help clinicians make return to sport decisions. The purpose of this study was to identify the most common multifaceted measures used to define clinical recovery from sport-related concussion in young athletes (high school and/or college level) and to summarise existing knowledge of criteria used to make return to sport decisions.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

The PubMed (MEDLINE), SPORTDiscus and Embase electronic databases were searched from 1 January 2000 to 1 March 2017 by three independent reviewers.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Inclusion criteria: elementary, high school and college age groups, and a specific definition of clinical recovery that required two or more measures.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

review articles, articles using the same sample population, case studies, non-English language and those that used one measure only or did not specify the recovery measures used.

STUDY QUALITY

Study quality was assessed using the Downs and Black Criteria.

RESULTS

Of 2023 publications, 43 met inclusion criteria. Included articles reported the following measures of recovery: somatic symptom resolution or return to baseline (100%), cognitive recovery or return to baseline (86%), no exacerbation of symptoms on physical exertion (49%), normalisation of balance (30%), normal special physical examination (12%), successful return to school (5%), no exacerbation of symptoms with cognitive exertion (2%) and normalisation of cerebral blood flow (2%). Follow-up to validate the return to sport decision was reported in eight (19%) articles. Most studies were case-control or cohort (level of evidence 4) and had significant risk of bias.

CONCLUSION

All studies of sport-related concussion use symptom reports to define recovery. A minority of studies used multiple measures of outcome or had clearly defined recovery criteria, the most common being a combination of a self-reported symptom checklist and a computerised neurocognitive test. Future studies ideally should define recovery a priori using objective physiological measures in addition to symptom reports.

Concussion management knowledge among residents and students and how to improve it

Aim:

Recognition and management of concussion is an area of growing importance. The objective was to measure concussion knowledge among residents and medical students (MS).

Methods:

Baseline knowledge was assessed by a standardized questionnaire. Control group (family medicine [FM], pediatric medicine [PM] and emergency medicine) residents were given reading material, and intervention group rotated in a clinic (sports medicine residents and MS). Subjects were retested after 36.82 (16.1) days. Pre- and post-intervention test scores were compared.

Results:

The average baseline knowledge scores were 79.2% for emergency medicine residents, 61.4% for FM, 68.5% for PM, 71.7% for sports medicine residents and 68.0% for MS. Knowledge increase for control group was 1.16% compared with 14.41% for the clinical rotation group (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

PM and FM residents can benefit from more focused education about concussion.