Concussion Management – Are You Ready For The 2018/19 Season?
Are you ready for the 2018/2019 season?
Tania Mayne from Up And Running Dubai has vast experience in Adult Neurological Rehabilitation and has developed a strong clinical interest in Concussion management in sport. She discusses the ins and outs of head injures that may occur during a rugby match and what you should be the correct procedure to getting you back on the rugby field as safely as possible.
Concussion Management
Annual baseline testing:
Did you know that the Baseline Concussion Test should be repeated annually for all players aged 8 and older?
Pitch-side management of injured players:
Do you know how to administer the correct first aid for a player with this serious head injury?
Assessment:
All players with a suspected concussion should be referred to a specialist facility experienced in concussion management; even if they have been to a hospital emergency room
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A specialist concussion team assesses all parts of brain function to specifically guide and rehabilitate a player safely back to learning and play
Medical Clearance:
A player must be cleared from all signs and symptoms of concussion by a sports medicine specialist before returning to play
Be prepared:
Do you know the steps to take after a suspected concussion?
Concussion in sport remains a difficult condition to recognize, especially pitch side. It does not have to be a head knock that causes a concussion, but more often it is a high velocity injury with a whiplash element.
“If in doubt, sit them out” is a great mantra for FAIR trained First Aiders – this confirms a SUSPECTED concussion, NOT a DIAGNOSED concussion.
It is essential that all players with a SUSPECTED concussion seek the help of a medical professional specialised in concussion management; even if the A&E department has cleared the athlete. The whole athlete is taken into consideration and the BASELINE TEST forms an important part of the decision making for diagnosis and rehabilitation back to safe play.
At UPANDRUNNING we’re taking a stance on protecting athletes, raising awareness about concussion injuries within the sporting community and returning players safely back to sport.
“Throughout the past season The UPANDRUNNING Concussion team, supported by Dr. Ryan Kohler from HeadSmart, ran a very effective concussion service. Whilst we never like to see injured children, we were glad to see such proactive responses from parents, schools and clubs who sought the correct advice and management for the child”, said Tania Mayne UPANDRUNNING Concussion Team Leader.
This season we have added more expertise to our Concussion Team. We have 4 Doctors, 3 Nurses and 3 Physiotherapists with experience in concussion management. We will have a dedicated concussion mobile phone line to offer support and guide management of the injured player from pitch side to the doctor for assessment as well as follow up afterwards and communication to all parties concerned. We will aim to see the player within 24-72 hours post injury for assessment and use robust patient pathways with a team approach and effective communication to guide the player safely back to play.
We are working closely with the UAERF and conferring with other specialist practices in Dubai to ensure the health and Safety of all rugby players.
Ahead of the 2018 season, we are reminding all clubs, players and coaches to:
1) BE READY: Concussion Education, Baseline Screening and Concussion Player Pathway
UPANDRUNNING provide Group Baseline Screening for Concussion and Education. We can help clubs set up their concussion pathways with supporting information and documentation. Email us here at TaniaM@upandrunningdubai.com to find out more.
2) BE ABLE TO RECOGNISE THE SYMPTOMS
Make sure that your First Aiders are trained to the World Rugby Standard. The FAIR (First Aid in Rugby Course) is run by Health and Safety Solutions in Dubai. Click here to find out more.
3) REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE
The clinical service used must be a recognised service for the assessment and management of potential concussions. A&E clinicians can rule out serious head injuries, but do not accurately diagnose nor treat concussions.
For more information about Baseline Concussion Screening and Education for your rugby club, school or child please contact Tania Mayne, Concussion Team Lead and Physiotherapist at Up And Running Dubai.
About The Author
Tania studied in Cape Town, Soft Africa and graduated in 1995 with a BSc in Physiotherapy. She has vast experience in Adult Neurological Rehabilitation and has developed a strong clinical interest in Concussion management in sport. She has linked up with the leaders in field of sport concussion management to help provide a comprehensive, patient centered, evidence-based service from initial injury management through rehabilitation and save return to sport. Tania believes in safe sporting practice underpinned by education of the team surrounding the athlete.