What You Need to Know About Concussions

Head-to-head contact, such as in football tackling, and collisions in sports such as soccer, hockey, and lacrosse are the primary causes of concussions in athletics. When an athlete’s head is the first and primary contact point with an opposing player or piece of equipment, the result can be a cervical spine fracture, a permanent brain injury, or a concussion.

The sports medicine experts at Sierra Pacific Orthopedics say there are preventative steps that players, coaches, parents, and athletic directors can take to keep athletes safe throughout the season.

"It’s important for coaches to be familiar with the warning signs and symptoms of concussions, including headaches, dizziness, and nausea, and pull players from a game if they notice any of those signs," explains Dr. Rod S. Kraft, sports medicine specialist at Sierra Pacific Orthopedics.

Others symptoms of a concussion may include:

• Balance issues or lack of coordination
• Confusion and difficulty remembering plays or events of the day
• Drowsiness
• Blurred vision
• Neck pain
• Noise sensitivity

Players exhibiting any of these signs should stay off the field until a sports medicine doctor clears them for play. If an athlete returns to play too quickly following a concussion, his or her brain is more vulnerable to swelling and lasting brain damage.

If you have any questions regarding how to stay safe and avoid injury on the field, call one of our sports medicine doctors at Sierra Pacific Orthopedics at (877) 666-6080.