A recent Wall Street Journal article discussed findings of a 2015 football player student who died from Second Impact Syndrome, a rare condition that occurs when an individual suffers a second concussion before healing from a concussion. This is an avoidable tragedy we never want to see repeated!
We’d like to note that the unfortunate student was cleared to return to sports after being tested by a study that was NOT ImPACT, the world’s most tried and true computerized neurocognitive assessment test the MAC Alliance uses to help evaluate and treat concussions.
ImPACT insists that, in order to return to sports, the patient must meet THREE MAJOR CRITERIA:
#1 ImPACT test results MUST return to baseline or reach proper percentile for the level of education.
#2 The Vestibular Ocular Motor Exam (VOMS) must be completely normalized and clear.
#3 The individual must complete the 5-Stage UPMC Vestibular Rehab Program without symptoms.
In our local training of athletic trainers and physical therapists for groups such as Novacare, ATI and Dynamic PT, we teach a form of this three-step program tailored to school nurses, family doctors, urgent care, pediatricians and other professionals.
Step-by-Step
In cases of concussion, the patient and/or family must recognize that the student/worker will initially likely be out of school/work entirely and returned slowly on a step-by-step basis, with accommodations. If properly treated and cleared, NO concussion patient should have to die from Second Impact Syndrome! We need to raise the bar with better education of athletes, families, other medical professionals and trainers so they know what to expect and what action to take.
Stay tuned for more…
