Know how to treat sport injuries

Being the sport-loving nation that we are, sports injuries are a reality.

To commemorate World Head Injury Awareness Day Doctor Kobus Retief, a neurosurgeon practicing at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg and Craig Gridell, chief operating officer of Netcare 911, share valuable information on concussion that could save lives.

“Knowing what to do when someone on the sports field is seriously injured is critical,” says Kobus.

“In many cases, school children and club players are not given proper treatment or kept out of play for long enough to recover; this unfortunately could have life-threatening consequences,” he warns.

“A first concussion usually does not cause permanent damage, but a repeat injury to the head soon after the first may have serious consequences. The second injury does not even have to be severe to have permanently disabling or deadly effects.”

Kobus adds that second-impact syndrome occurs in players who return to the sports field before the symptoms of a first concussion have been resolved completely.

A second blow to the head, even a minor one, could result in a loss of auto regulation of the brain’s blood supply.

This leads to blood building up in the brain’s blood vessels and increasing pressure inside the skull to such a degree that it pushes through the small hole where the spinal cord exists, which usually is fatal.

One automatically should suspect a concussion if a player has sustained a head injury, especially if the person shows signs of confusion that include distracted speech, the inability to perform a simple sequence of actions and loss of memory about recent events.

Kobus lists a number of symptoms to look out for, such as persistent unconsciousness, a constant or recurring headache, non-responsiveness to treatment, repeated episodes of nausea and vomiting, inability to control movement or disturbed balance, changes in sensory perception, dizziness, shortened attention span, difficulty to focus on tasks and speak, unequal pupil size, unusual eye movements, muscle weakness on one or both sides of the body, difficulty walking and even sensitivity to light.

“Concussions are classified into three grades. In the mildest grade of concussion, confusion is the only symptom and brain damage is unlikely, but in all the other grades, gross or subtle brain damage is a distinct possibility. Because a second concussion on top of the first may cause brain damage or even death, it is vital that parents and coaches keep children or athletes out of play for long enough to ensure that the first injury has been resolved,” says Kobus.

If any child becomes unconscious, he or she should be taken to hospital immediately. The attending doctor should be informed about any previous injuries, especially to the head.

If necessary, CAT and MRI scans may be done initially.

Kobus indicates that a follow-up visit to the same healthcare practitioner within the first 24 to 48 hours is essential.

Thereafter, if the concussion was serious, careful follow-up should be done over the next few weeks, and the player should participate in sports only once the treating doctor provides the all-clear.