Best Practice Case Studies-Concussion in Sport 2019

Pdf Summary

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) issued a position statement addressing sport-related concussion (SRC), acknowledging it as a prevalent injury in both recreational and organized sports. There's been significant progress in SRC understanding over the last 30 years, leading to clinical guidelines for its diagnosis, assessment, and management. Despite this, SRC has garnered media and legislative attention, often fueling misconceptions and fear due to unresolved issues surrounding the injury.<br /><br />The AMSSM gathered experts for a comprehensive review of existing literature, updating their previous position statement to reflect the latest evidence and address current knowledge gaps. SRC's diagnosis remains challenging due to the absence of definitive outcomes-based data, necessitating reliance on the best available evidence, clinical experience, and patient values. The statement covers SRC's definition, pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, management of acute and persistent symptoms, risks, prevention strategies, and future research directions.<br /><br />Concussion is defined as a traumatically induced disturbance of brain function, a form of mild traumatic brain injury. Diagnosing concussions relies on clinical assessments, as symptoms can be caused by various factors. Comprehensive preseason preparations, including physical evaluations and understanding an athlete's medical history, are emphasized.<br /><br />Management of SRC involves prescribed rest followed by gradual activity, noting that early return to play can prolong recovery and increase injury risk. Persistent post-concussive symptoms require multidisciplinary approaches, potentially involving vestibular therapy, psychological support, and physical conditioning.<br /><br />Concerns about long-term effects, such as mental health issues and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, are addressed, suggesting more research is needed to understand the potential risks of concussions and repetitive head impacts.<br /><br />The AMSSM calls for further studies, innovative diagnostic tests, and understanding of concussion impacts to improve athlete safety and inform broader participation in sports. The organization supports comprehensive research to guide evidence-based practices and enhance sport safety measures.

Meta Tag

Edition 3rd Edition

Related Case 3rd Edition, CASE 39

Topic Neurology

Keywords

3rd Edition, CASE 39

3rd Edition

Neurology

sport-related concussion

AMSSM

concussion management

clinical guidelines

diagnosis

traumatic brain injury

prevention strategies

post-concussive symptoms

athlete safety

chronic traumatic encephalopathy