Tuesday, May 13, 2014


When it comes to concussion recovery, time is important 

A concussion is not generally a life-threatening injury.

However, according to research published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, age and sex are critical to the treatment of concussions.

The study, conducted by Michigan State University (MSU), reveals that young and female athletes take longer to recover from concussions.

Tracey Covassin, Assistant Professor at MSU, found that high school athletes performed worse than college athletes on memory tests. Similarly, female athletes were out-performed by male athletes.

A concussion does not ordinarily result in permanent damage. However, if a person suffers another concussion before the first one has completely healed, this can have devastating consequences including bleeding inside the skull, brain swelling and even death. This is known as 'second-impact syndrome' (SIS), a form of traumatic braininjury that disproportionately affects females and athletes under 25.

Covassin noted that, "Younger athletes appear more at risk of second-impact syndrome...While it is rare, there is a serious risk of brain damage, and the risk is heightened when athletes are coming back before they heal."

According to Covassin, the key message is to allow more recovery time for female athletes and high school students. The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends that young athletes with concussions obtain clearance from a doctor before returning to the playing field. This, Covassin points out, ensures that any head injury is fully healed.

This research appears no less relevant to those who suffer a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle collision.

If you or your loved one has suffered a concussion as a result of a motor vehicle collision or fall in a commercial establishment, contact lawyer René Gantzert, a lawyer experienced in concussion claims, to explore your legal options.

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