New Study Finds Children Need More Time to Recover from Concussions

A new study from Henry Ford Health System’s Sports Medicine Research found that high school athletes in several sports are more at risk for concussions than previously recognized. According to a news report, the study also found that teens involved in sports need more time to recover from concussions than previously thought. The study published its results in Orthopedics, a nationally recognized, peer-reviewed journal for orthopedic surgeons.

What the Study Found

While concussion risk is high and well known in football, the study found both hockey and soccer are sports where concussions are common. The study also found that teens might require a longer recovery time for concussions than previously believed. Dr. Vasilios Moutzouros, who led the study said it was previously believed that “concussion issues would be very short-lived.” But, he said, this study found the opposite.

The study examined records of 357 high school athletes who received treatment for concussions at Henry Ford between 2013 and 2016. They were between 14 and 18 and 62% male. Researchers saw 27.7% concussions in football, 21.8% in hockey, 17% in soccer, 9% in basketball, and 4.2% in cheerleading. 

In the study, 72 played in “other” sports, and those accounted for 20.3% of the concussions. Researchers found that athletes with only one concussion required at least 30 days to recover before returning to the sport. Those with two or more concussions required even more recovery time.

Dangers Posed by Concussions

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and the brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, triggering chemical changes in the brain, and sometimes, stretching and damaging brain cells. While medical providers may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because it is not life-threatening, it is important to remember that the effects of a concussion can be serious.

Children and teens who display symptoms of a concussion, such as a headache, nausea or feeling dazed and confused, may simply say they “don’t feel right” after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body but may in fact have a concussion or more serious brain injury. While symptoms generally appear soon after the injury, they may not surface for hours or days. It is important to check for the signs of a concussion for up to a few days after the injury.

If your child has suffered the effects of a concussion due to negligence, you must reach out to a knowledgeable lawyer in California who specializes in brain injuries to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.