Concussion can occur in almost any sport

Continuing to play sport with an undiagnosed concussion can have dangerous or potentially even fatal consequences, warns professor Jon Patricios, director of Waterfall Sports Orthopaedic Surgery based at Netcare Waterfall City Hospital.

“It is important that anyone who has had a blow to the head is appropriately assessed for concussion, and in the school sport context, this is something all coaches, trainers, players, and parents of participants need to be aware of,” explained Patricios, who is also a professor of Sport and Exercise Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand’s Faculty of Health Science and leader of the Wits Sport and Health (WiSH) research group.

He points out that any activity where there may be a fall, the possibility of a fast-moving ball striking the head, or the head colliding with the ground, or a collision with another person or object could result in a concussion.

This includes everything from rugby, cricket, and gymnastics to water polo, hockey, motorcycling, and equestrian sports, among others.

“Whenever there is any chance that a person suffered a concussion, it is imperative that they are examined by a doctor who will guide the next steps. It is just not worth taking a chance when it comes to potential neurological harm,” he added.

“A trained clinical eye is needed to detect subtle signs of head injury that may need specific interventions. Certainly, any deterioration in an athlete’s condition after a suspected concussion should be treated as an emergency.

“Even after a doctor’s consultation, the person should not be left alone, even if they are cleared to go home, as anyone with a suspected concussion must be monitored for any change in their condition.”

“After a concussion, guidance should be sought regarding returning to work, school, sport, or exercise. Concussion symptoms must be observed ongoing until they have completely cleared, and the guidelines for a gradual step-wise return to normal activities must be followed,” said Patricios.

Why it matters

“It is essential for anyone involved in amateur or school sports and parents to be aware of the dangers of concussion and take reasonable precautions to prevent or mitigate the risk to players. Especially for the developing brains of children and teenagers, it can be harmful to rush a return to school or training too soon,” said Patricios.

• He said exercise is medicine and is now utilised early in the return to a normal routine, helping to stimulate recovery.
• The days of ‘lying in a dark room’ after a concussion are over. Exposure to potential collisions is another matter, it takes longer and such activities should only be considered under medical guidance.
• One of the primary dangers is second impact syndrome, which can happen when a person has a concussion and later, within a week or so, receives a second blow to the head – even a relatively mild impact bump could be very serious and even potentially fatal.

With more public awareness and the freely available concussion guidelines, tragedies and long-term brain damage related to concussion in sports can be minimised, and outcomes for affected amateur and school sports players can be optimised,” concluded Patricios.

How do sports injuries affect players

Midrand Reporter hit the streets and asked sports enthusiasts and athletes in the community to explore the effects of injuries, particularly concussions, on players. The participants were also asked to share their opinions on how injuries should be addressed when they occur.

Here is what they had to say:

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