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Repeat mild traumatic brain injury: how to adjust return to play guidelines
1Robert-Wood Johnson University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, McCosh Health Center, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. putukian@princeton.edu
Current Sports Medicine Reports
|February 18, 2006
Summary
Returning athletes to play after concussion requires careful consideration. Physicians must ensure athletes are symptom-free with normal cognitive function, individualizing the decision based on injury severity and history.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Concussion management in athletes presents significant challenges.
- Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) evaluation and management show considerable variability.
- Recent research has enhanced understanding of sport-related concussions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the critical factors influencing the return-to-play (RTP) decision after concussion.
- To emphasize the need for an individualized approach to RTP after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
Main Methods:
- Review of current understanding and management of mTBI in athletes.
- Integration of neuro-psychologic (NP) testing for cognitive assessment.
- Consideration of symptom burden, duration, and neurological evaluation.
Main Results:
- Athlete recovery is determined by symptom nature, burden, and duration.
- Neuro-psychologic testing aids in identifying cognitive deficits post-concussion.
- Factors like age and prior injury history influence RTP decisions.
Conclusions:
- Athletes must be asymptomatic with normal neurological and cognitive evaluations for RTP.
- The RTP decision requires a comprehensive, individualized assessment.
- Careful consideration of mTBI complications is essential for safe return to sport.
