Lakeland Hockey Association Season Kick-Off Meeting 9-8-11

Marc Plizga, ATCNovaCare Rehabilitation

248-228-4503

Concussion Awareness

The Problem• Can be hard to measure• Full extent of injury often

not known until hours after injury

• More likely to occur in games than practice

• At 11-12 age level the rate of concussion is 4X higher in checking leagues than non checking leagues

• 44% of concussions are from legal hits

Definition

A traumatically induced alternation in mental status not necessarily resulting in loss of consciousness

Dinged, bell rung, foggy, etc = CONCUSSION

Signs and SymptomsReported by the player:

HeadacheNauseaBalance problemsDizzinessVision ProblemsSensitive to light or noiseFeeling foggy or sluggishConcentration ProblemsMemory ProblemsChange in sleep pattern

Signs and Symptoms cont’ed

What you may see:Dazed or stunnedUnsure of surroundingsConfusionForgetfulnessMoves clumsilyPersonality Change

What To Do• Have a plan- NOW• Take them out- ALWAYS• If any loss of consciousness-

they are done and need to be referred

• Orientation Questions• Repeat simple word

sequence• Establish baseline for later

testing

What To Do

• Watch the player closely- never leave alone

• After 5 minutes reassess symptoms and re-test the baseline

• Decide next steps• Make sure caregivers

are given instructions for home

Return to Play?

• No signs and symptoms- no matter how subtle

• Physician & parents drive the process

Why so conservative? Seems too cautious…

Second Impact Syndrome- SIS

The brain is susceptible to further damage from a second less severe hit if it does not heal fully from the first hit. Many times a second impact is routine in nature but has devastating consequences

Prevention

• Can’t put a helmet directly over the brain

• Coach on high hits/head blows/blind side hits

• Coach on how to accept contact and positional awareness

• Above All….

TEACH HEADS UP HOCKEY

Take Aways

• Take it seriously• Have a plan- including

prevention• Know the signs and

symptoms• Ask questions before

allowing return to play

ResourcesUSA Hockey Heads up video• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhO5S0shTs8USA Hockey Heads Up Hockey Resources• http://usahockey.com/

Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=ET&id=182214

CDC Heads up Youth Sports• http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/

youth.htmlDicks Sporting Goods PACE Program• https://www.mydickssportinggoods.com/pace/