Concussion

Known as a mild head injury, concussion defines a head impact that can lead to functional disruption in the brain. It can cause a chemical imbalance, inflammation of brain tissue, as well as a decrease in cerebral oxygenation. To recover quickly, the best option would be to carry out a physiotherapy follow-up.

What is a concussion?

The problem of a brain injury or concussion is related to a blow:

• At the head;
• To the body;
• On the neck or face.

The moment you receive a certain blow to the head, it could produce a direct impact inside your skull. Your brain is moving, and this could lead to brain damage, such as a concussion.

A concussion determines significant changes in the way you think, think and especially feel something. Concussion victims can have their full mindset and suffer from this disease at the same time. It would be best to consult a specialist doctor to examine your case.

After you have suffered a head injury, it is always recommended to seek medical attention. The symptoms are thus very varied, they differ from one to the other. This situation can take hours, even days.

The patient’s recovery time usually varies depending on the situation. There are many opportunities to recover within 10 days to 4 weeks.

The term concussion is often applied in the world of sports medicine. However, the term mild head injury is more commonly used in hospital settings. Whatever the situation, these two terms are identical.

What are the symptoms of a concussion?

Physically, there are many signs and symptoms of concussion. The situation varies greatly from one patient to another. These symptoms can come in various forms such as:

• Headaches or lightheadedness;
• Vomiting and dizziness;
• Or nausea.

Contact sports enthusiasts are the most affected by a concussion, taking hockey, soccer, or boxing as an illustration. In 75% of cases, it affects the part of the brain. The symptom changes succinctly in relation to age, sex, or the number of concussions suffered in the past.

Concussion analysis in Physiotherapy

As soon as a concussion is known, a physiotherapist conducts a complete assessment based on subjective and objective data.

For subjective data, these are:

• When to identify post-concussion signs and symptoms;
• The phase of eliminating neurological signs and symptoms;
• Establishment of state of consciousness, orientation and immediate/anterograde memory;
• Identification of the presence of certain pains.

Regarding objective data, this concerns:

• The realization of a complete neurological examination that composes different physical tests to ensure the integrity of the brain structures and a way to eliminate any more serious damages;
• Performing a cervical examination: mobility, strength, muscle tension;
• An orthopedic examination: scan of the upper limb;
• Balance assessment and vestibular assessment as required.

By using certain tests such as the McGill Ace or SCAT-3, the physiotherapist could define the nature of the problem. It is a tool used to assess the situation of people with concussion.

In the sports context, these physiotherapists intervene directly on the field to carry out an initial screening. This concerns a concrete assessment on:

• The symptoms and motor skills of the athlete;
• The state of consciousness;
• Orientation;
• And amnesia.

How to treat a concussion?

The most effective treatment for a person with a concussion is absolute rest. However, the person must stop all activity related to physical exertion, within 24 to 48 hours of the trauma. Physio+ Hamel offers the intervention of its professional physiotherapists with their greatest competence in the event of a concussion.

Our physiotherapist carries out regular follow-ups in relation to the sign and symptoms to benefit from a favorable evolution. He will be able to prescribe mobility, strengthening, cervical proprioception, coordination and balance exercises.

He will be able to accompany the patient for the resumption of sports activities when the time comes. Without aggravating the symptom, it represents qualified skills to ensure a better intervention for a safe return to play.