UPCOMING EVENTS:
The Mississauga Marathon
May 14 & 15, 2011
www.mississaugamarathon.com
WE'RE MOVING JULY 26, 2010 New name and facility, same staff and quality care you've come to expect. Please check back for further updates. NEW LOCATION
TSC The Sports Clinic
2315 Bristol Circle
Oakville, ON L6H 6P8
Just off Winston Churchill Boulevard, south of Dundas Street.
NEW Tel: 905.829.2827,
after July 26
UTM LOCATION
The Sports Clinic at
University of Toronto
Mississauga
3359 Mississauga Rd N.
Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 1C6
Tel: 905.820.9292
CONCUSSIONS
Minor traumatic brain injury (concussion) is one of
the most poorly understood injuries in sport.
Diagnosis and management are constantly evolving-
hence the dilemma.
Concussion is indeed a brain injury, hence
invisible to the naked eye. As such, it's
seriousness is often underestimated. It occurs when
trauma (usually deceleration) is applied to the
head or neck. This causes a disturbance in brain
function which leads to biochemical and
neurological changes.
Concussion is largely NOT measurable by various
imaging ( CT, MRI X-ray etc.). It IS measured by
clinical examination ( see SACT2 and SACT2 pocket
card) and computerized testing ( ImPACT, Cogsport
etc.).
Serious head injury with declining neurological
status often merits a CT scan to rule out a bleed
or other pathology.
The effects of concussion generally wear off with
time - usually 5 days to 2 weeks. This recovery
must be physician monitored in order to determine
an appropriate time for return to sport. Once
symptoms are gone a graded return to activity is
necessary (see enclosed SACT2 info sheet)
Long term effects of concussion and recurrent
concussion are still poorly understood. We do
believe there is some cognitive loss in adulthood
associated with recurrent head injury. Several
studies are under way to look at the brains of
deceased athletes to assess the impact of recurrent
head trauma.
Today , I believe concussion is an epidemic. The
culture of sport seems to be more and more
competitive (read violent) . We, as physicians,
have not been vocal enough to express our concerns.
You may also take a look at the following excellent website: www.thinkfirst.ca
(opens in new window)
If you are requesting an assessment, please contact
me and I would be happy to examine / determine a return to
play for a player.
Dr. Christopher Woollam
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