Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injury

Definition of Concussion: The science of concussion is rapidly evolving. Interestingly, although there is no single universally accepted definition for concussion, there are general themes that most of the individual definitions (and those of us who evaluate and manage concussions on a regular basis) usually agree upon. Keep in mind, concussion was classically thought to be a functional disturbance that was temporary and unassociated with structural damage. While most of the time CT scans and traditional MRIs (unless specific sequences are part of the study protocol) are normal, recent work has demonstrated structural abnormalities that can be present in some cases if you look hard enough with the right investigational tools. Click on the link below for a brief outline of how concussion is defined.

Pathophysiology of Concussion: When evaluating and managing an individual with sports-related concussion (or when concussion is being experience personally or by a loved-one), it’s helpful to think about what we believe happens in the brain that results in the symptoms and signs experienced by the athlete. Click on the link below for a brief description of the pathophysiology of concussion.

Clinical Approach to Sports-Related Concussion: The following presentation provides an outline of how sports-related concussion can be managed. It represents one general approach, parts of which can be adjusted based on individual circumstances.