How to manage concussion

Any athlete with suspected or confirmed concussion should:

• remain in the company of a responsible adult
• not be allowed to drive
• be advised to avoid alcohol
• have their medications reviewed.

Specifically, concussed athletes should avoid:

• aspirin
• anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen, diclofenac or naproxen),
• sleeping tablets
• sedating pain medications.

If the athlete is diagnosed with concussion, immediate management is physical and cognitive rest. This may include time off school or work, and relative rest from cognitive activity. Having rested for 24 – 48 hours after sustaining a concussion, the athlete can begin moderate intensity physical activity - as long as the activity doesn’t cause significant and sustained deterioration in symptoms. Concussive symptoms usually resolve in 10 – 14 days.

Children and adolescents

Sport-related concussions are common in children and adolescents aged 18 years or younger. For this age group, a more conservative approach to diagnosis and management is recommended. This is because this age group:

• has a slower rate of recovery from concussion
• has unique physical, cognitive and emotional differences
• is more vulnerable to concussion, due to factors including decreased myelination, poor cervical musculature, and (possibly) increased head to neck ratio
• the role of cerebral blood flow alterations in the pathophysiology of concussion may be more significant

Return to learn

‘Return to learn’ is about the athlete’s gradual return to their usual program at school or work.

‘Return to learn’ should take priority over ‘Return to sport’. School programs may need to include more regular breaks, rests and increased time to complete tasks.

Health care practitioners can use the CORP_34004_ConcussionLetteraccessible.pdf to communicate to teachers the requirements for a concussed child or adolescent.

Return to sport

‘Return to sport’ is about the athlete’s gradual return to full sporting activity.

Having rested for 24 – 48 hours after sustaining a concussion, the patient can begin moderate intensity physical activity - as long as the activity doesn’t cause significant and sustained deterioration in symptoms. Concussive symptoms usually resolve in 10 - 14 days, after which the athlete can begin a staged return to sport.

Medical practitioners can use these Graded Return to Sport Frameworks to inform their Return to sport patient programs.

• GRADED-RETURN-TO-SPORT-FRAMEWORK-COMMUNITY-AND-YOUTH.pdf
• Graded Return to Sport Framework in the Advanced Care Setting