Assessment and management of sport-related concussion in general practice

Sport-related concussion (SRC) is a traumatic brain injury that occurs during sport or exercise activity. SRC is a growing health concern in Australia, with increasing public awareness and presentations to general practitioners being increasingly common.

This article will focus on the assessment and management of SRC in general practice, including guidance for returning patients to sport. Concussion prevention, potential long-term complications, and the decision-making process regarding retirement from sport are beyond the scope of this article.

Recognising concussion can be difficult, as clinical symptoms and signs of SRC can evolve over a period of hours to days. General practitioners should be aware of the range of clinical concussion presentations. The key principles of management include relative rest, followed by a graduated return to cognitive and physical activity. Involvement of a multidisciplinary team can improve symptoms for those patients whose concussion symptoms are prolonged.