New Report Suggests that Student Athletes Suffering Concussion Should Not Go Back to Academics Right Away

High school sports teams have adopted many safety regulations in the last several years, from high-tech helmets to breaks from sports to help prevent the terrible side effects of concussions on young athletes. However, a new study from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests that, after a concussion, student athletes should not immediately return to the classroom, as well.

The clinical report was presented in Orlando at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition. The researchers made recommendations to the conference attendees regarding students’ recovery from concussions, and represents the Academy’s official position on guidance to clinicians regarding treatment for young patients with concussions and brain injury.

“We focus so much on getting these kids back onto the field that we don’t always think about the challenges associated with getting back into the classroom,” said Mark E. Halstead, MD, a Washington University sports medicine specialist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “In addition to physical rest, children recovering from a concussion also need cognitive rest. They can struggle in school and often have difficulty focusing and concentrating for several days or weeks.”

Dr. Halstead was the lead researcher on the report, “Returning to Learning Following a Concussion,” which was presented at the conference on October 27th.

Previous research shows that students generally recover from concussions in about three weeks. However, Halstead’s research emphasized that this was only an average, and many children continue to have headaches, blurred vision, neck pain, or sadness and depression that lasts longer. Each concussion patient should be monitored to ensure they are not forced back into the classroom or onto the field before their concussion symptoms dissipate.

Halstead also added that cognitive problems related to concussions could make the return to the classroom more difficult, and that further research was needed in that area.

“Some kids may not be able to handle a full classroom period,” said Halstead. “Or they may need a shortened school day. Others may need rest periods in the school nurse’s office.

“The goal is to keep symptom flare-ups to a minimum and make sure children are not exacerbating symptoms by trying to do too much,” he added. “Not resting the brain could prolong the length of time it takes to recover fully.”

Halstead suggested that teachers, parents, and clinicians keep a checklist of the student’s post-concussion symptoms and their severity. He added that the most important thing any caregiver could do was ask the patient how they feel.

“It is impossible to know if they have blurry vision or trouble comprehending what they’re reading,” he said. “We have to rely on that child or adolescent to tell us.”

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Concussion Injury Cases

For many victims, a concussion or traumatic brain injury is not immediately noticeable. Concussion or traumatic brain injury symptoms may not appear for several days after the initial trauma. If you or a loved one suffered a concussion or traumatic brain injury as the result of an accident, the Strom Law Firm offers a free, no-cost consultation to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today at 803.252.4800