Concussion Myths

MYTH

FACT

CONCLUSION

• You can only be concussed in “contact sports”
• You need to lose consciousness or memory to be diagnosed with concussion.
• A normal brain scan means you’re cleared to play.
• You’re OK to play once the headache has gone.

• A player that has sustained a concussion is up to 3 times more likely to sustain
  a second concussion in the same season (Guskiewicz et al, 2000).
• There is currently no known cure for concussion but the passage of time.
• Injuries to the brain are the most common cause of death in athletes (Mueller &
  Cantu, 1990).

1. All symptoms must have cleared.
2. You should have a normal neurological examination.
3. Your computerized brain function tests must have returned to baseline or be
   within normal limits.
4. You should undergo a sports-specific return to play exercise programme without
   symptoms recurring.

• Although more likely in contact and collision sports such as rugby, football and
  boxing, concussion can occur in nearly any situation; we have treated cyclists,
  cricket players, motor racers, horse riders, water polo players and even ballet
  dancers! Suspect possible concussion with any direct or indirect blow to the
  head.
• Only about 8% of cases of concussion involve loss of consciousness (Oliaro et
  al, 2001); Concussion may present in many different ways depending on the area
  of the brain most affected; these may be obvious signs such as blacking out,
  vomiting or confusion, or more subtle symptoms such as poor concentration or
  personality changes.
• CT scans and most MRI scans are not sensitive enough to detect the changes
  taking place in a concussed brain; you may still have serious injury with a
  normal scan.