Assessment and management of concussion in sports.
The most common head injury in sports is concussion. Athletes who sustain a prolonged loss of consciousness should be transported immediately to a hospital for further evaluation. Assessment of less severe injuries should include a thorough neurologic examination. The duration of symptoms and the presence or absence of post-traumatic amnesia and loss of consciousness should be noted. To avoid premature return to play, a good understanding of the possible hazards is important. Potential hazards of premature return to play include the possibility of death from second-impact syndrome, permanent neurologic impairment from cumulative trauma, and the postconcussion syndrome.
Harmon
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Sports Medicine Clinic, Hall Health Primary Care Center, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013177:Sports; D013664:Teaching Materials