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Sports-Related Concussion

  • Concussion and Head Injury (S Lucas, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Sports-related concussions (SRC) are common in all ages and occur in all sports. The diagnosis based on clinical suspicion after more serious injury is ruled out. Symptoms of concussion are due to a temporary and reversible neurometabolic cascade resulting in blood flow changes, neuronal excitotoxicity, ionic shifts, and mitochondrial changes. Symptoms are nonspecific, and commonly include headache, cognitive complaints, photophobia, and phonophobia. Loss of consciousness is rare in SRC and has limited influence on recovery and prognosis. Imaging has a limited role in the management of concussion and should be used to evaluate for more serious intracranial pathology. Treatment is based on symptoms and an understanding of the typical, rapid (7–10 days) recovery. No athlete should return to play until their symptoms have resolved and they have completed a supervised, step-wise return to play protocol. The article covers the most recent literature on the diagnosis and management of SRC, including evidence-based recommendations and expert-based consensus opinion. The article will also discuss issues regarding medical retirement, legislation, and future concepts in concussion diagnosis and management.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Scott Laker declares no potential conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop F493, 12631 East 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Scott R. Laker

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Correspondence to Scott R. Laker.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Concussion and Head Injury

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Laker, S.R. Sports-Related Concussion. Curr Pain Headache Rep 19, 41 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-015-0510-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-015-0510-3

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