Sports are a big part of childhood, but what happens when kids have to take time off from playing? This article will explore the effects of concussions on children and whether or not they can play sports again. Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that can be caused by an impact to the head, typically with acceleration forces causing movement in one or more directions. The injury causes damage to cell structures in the brain and this is why it’s important for kids who suffer from concussions to stop any physical activities until their doctor gives them permission.
Some symptoms include headaches, dizziness, memory problems, fatigue, and nausea. When these symptoms persist you should always consult your primary care physician because untreated concussions can result in serious long-term consequences that can affect the rest of your child’s life. Parents need to understand the following to better care for their kids:
If medical professionals determine that a child has suffered a concussion, resting the injured brain is the fastest way to recover and the last thing you’d want is for them to go back into play too early in fear of hurting their teammates or missing out on game time. The good news about concussions is they aren’t as common as other sports injuries like broken bones or muscle strains, but it’s still important parents know when kids should sit out until they’re better.
Kids usually need two weeks off from any physical activity after suffering a concussion before returning with parental consent and supervision by trained staff members at all times throughout the recovery process so symptoms don’t worsen because it does need more treatment. It’s important to keep in mind the following:
Repeated concussions can result in significant brain swelling and irreversible damage. If a child has another concussion before their prior one is fully healed, it often results in inadequate or delayed healing.
There is no easy answer to this question and it’s important for parents to carefully consider the risks. For starters, children recover from concussions slower than adults so they need longer periods of rest or recovery between episodes of physical activity.
The risk of concussions in youth sports is extremely low, with the exception of a few high-risk activities. In order to prevent injuries and maximize benefits from playing sports as teenagers, it’s important for coaches and parents to ensure that their kids are using proper safety gear like helmets while also learning how best to avoid injury by practicing safe play techniques.
Keep kids safe and sound by following guidelines for concussion recovery! Get the green light from your medical team before allowing a child to return to play; get the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re not risking any further injury by playing too soon after an important diagnosis; preventative measures are much, much more fun than consequences!
Dr. Chen sees patients at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Center for Sports Medicine in Walnut Creek, California. He is a board-certified Pediatrician and Sports Medicine Doctor that specializes in the non-operative medical treatment of a wide variety of various musculoskeletal conditions. Dr. Chen graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine and went on to complete Pediatric residency training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey (Rutgers), then went on to fellowship training in Sports Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, one of the perennially top-ranked children’s hospitals in the nation. There he provided sideline coverage for NCAA Division I athletics at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University (OH). Since graduating, Dr. Chen has continued his love of sports coverage by volunteering for the San Francisco Marathon, the San Francisco Giant Race, and as the team physician for Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. Being a part of The Center for Sports Medicine allows Dr. Chen quick access to a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, physiatrists, and physical therapists to return you to your highest functional level quickly and safely. Click here to contact us for your next appointment!
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stephen.chen@eastbaysportsdoc.com