Concussion Management For Wheelchair Athletes

This book arises from the challenges and difficulties involved in the evaluation and management of concussions in wheelchair athletes. Concussions are most readily identified in the ambulatory population via identifying gross motor instability or when athletes lose their balance and stumble after a blow to the head or neck region. Because wheelchair athletes participate in sport while sitting down and using a wheelchair, clinicians must be extra attentive to identify a potential concussion. Once a potential concussion is identified, there are many challenges in evaluation of the wheelchair athlete population due to their comorbidities. At baseline, they may have signs and symptoms that mimic a concussion, and their impairments can also alter their cognitive and balance assessments. Therefore, it is critical to make a distinction between these athletes’ baseline comorbid impairments and potential new exam findings in a concussion. Filling in a critical gap in the literature, this is a concise pocket guide for any clinician, trainer, or rehabilitation specialist who is involved in wheelchair sports. It focuses on the unique challenges in evaluating a concussion in the wheelchair athlete, including baseline testing, the process of evaluating the signs and symptoms of a concussion, cognitive and vestibular examination, new clinical techniques specific to wheelchair athletes, and the return to play process. A Concussion Management Program (CMP) for use on the sideline as well as in the office is included. Practical and timely, Concussion Management for Wheelchair Athletes is a valuable resource to increase awareness, provide guidance on the unique challenges within this population, and generate interest in future research and investigation.

Sport-related concussions have become an increasingly important topic as evidenced by recent media attention. Due in large part to the complex nature of concussive injuries, there is great discrepancy in the effect these injuries have on individual functioning and the type and nature of services that best facilitate recovery. This book is intended as a complete reference guide dealing with sports-related concussions.

This book presents information needed for people working with concussion recovery, as well as anyone currently experiencing a concussion, especially those which are sports-related. There is currently no defined body of knowledge that practitioners in this field need to know, and this book serves to fill that gap. While medical attention is often needed at the beginning of the injury, the most important parts of ongoing treatment are behavioural, namely managing and monitoring the patient and engaging them in appropriate “active rehabilitation” strategies. The competencies described here address multiple constituencies, from medical personnel to patients. The book is designed to direct the reader to appropriate sections in a straightforward manner supported by evidence and research. The core focus here is on schools, where the consequences of sports-related concussion are significant. However, the knowledge competencies are broad enough to provide a solid education in concussions and what to do about them across various environments.

A new field of medicine is emerging, Concussionology, and it has massive consequences on the health and welfare of athletes’ livelihood. This guidebook provides basic training for athletes, parents and coaches as well as more in-depth training of concussions for athletic trainers, and other medical professionals. In Concussionology, Dr. Harry Kerasidis: • Outlines his own clinical-caliber concussion protocol • Reveals who is more vulnerable to concussions • Gives requirements for concussion baseline tests • Provides neurological basics about the brain, injury and behavior • Offers practical steps to handling concussions, and more What they’re saying “...a full, all inclusive approach to the management of sports related concussions.” —Dr. Alan Ashare, USA Hockey, Board of Director “Dr. Kerasidis is ... forward-thinking ... intellectually brilliant. This book is a reflection of that genius: straightforward, smart and leading-edge.” —Erin Sharoni, National TV Sports Personality “Dr. Kerasidis explains the brain in user-friendly terms, including how it functions normally and how it responds in concussion. This book is a clear call to action for players, parents, coaches, and loved ones.” —Theodore Henderson, MD, PhD Child, Adolescent, and General Psychiatry “Dr. Kerasidis expertise in concussions and concussion management has taught me what I need to know and helped me become a better athletic trainer...and implement a first class concussion management program.” — Stephanie Guzzo, Assistant Athletic Trainer, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

This book presents necessary information and data for people working with concussion recovery or experiencing a concussion, especially of a sports-related nature. There is currently no defined body of knowledge presented to practitioners, a lacuna this book serves to fill. While medical attention is often needed at the initial stage of treatment, the most important parts of ongoing treatment are behavioural, specifically managing and monitoring the patient and engaging them in “active rehabilitation” strategies. The competencies described here address multiple constituencies, from medical personnel to patients. The book is designed to direct the reader to appropriate sections in a straightforward manner supported by evidence and research. Its core focus is on schools in the US, where the majority of sports-related concussion occur and are managed. However, the knowledge competencies detailed here are broad enough to provide a solid education in concussions, and what to do about them, across various environments.

This book is a comprehensive reference guide for team physicians to manage common or rare clinical issues that may occur on the sidelines and field of play in recreational, professional or elite sports. Musculoskeletal injuries and health-related clinical issues that may occur on the field of play can directly impact the ability of athletes to safely participate in sport. Indeed, the ability to urgently respond to the myriad of health-related issues is critical during both sideline and event coverage. The variety of challenges may be more prevalent according to the type of sport, the athletes' physical condition, the field of play, the level of competition, as well as the environmental conditions. Initial assessment, proper investigation of athletes' clinical complaints and findings, followed by a well-practiced intervention protocol play an essential role in optimizing the outcome of each case. Written by an international team of experts, and published in partnership with ISAKOS, this book is an excellent source of knowledge for sports physicians, orthopedists and physiotherapists alike.

Part of the esteemed IOC Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science series, this new volume on Training and Coaching the Paralympic Athlete will be athlete-centred with each chapter written for the practical use of medical doctors and allied health personnel. The chapters also consider the role of medical science in the athlete’s sporting career and summarize current international scientific Paralympic literature. Provides a concise, authoritative overview of the science, medicine and psycho-social aspects of training and coaching disabled and Paralympic athletes Offers guidance on medical aspects unique to the training and coaching of Paralympic athletes Endorsed by both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Written and edited by global thought leaders in sports medicine

Now in a fully revised and expanded second edition, this comprehensive text remains a timely and major contribution to the literature that addresses the neuromechanisms, predispositions, and latest developments in the evaluation and management of concussive injuries. Concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury, continues to be a significant public health concern with increased attention focusing on treatment and management of this puzzling epidemic as well as controversies within the field. The book is comprised of five thematic sections: current developments in evaluation; biomechanical mechanisms; neural substrates, biomarkers, genetics and brain imaging; pediatric considerations; and clinical management and rehabilitation. Since the publication of the original edition in 2014, much has changed regarding the current understanding of mild traumatic brain injury including development of more precise imaging modalities, development and classification of new biomarkers, and updates to clinical treatment and management of athletic concussion. This new edition will include new chapters targeting the influence of genetics on concussive injury, as well as an expansion on the knowledge of pediatric response to concussion and the influence of repetitive subconcussive impacts on athlete health. An invaluable contribution to the literature, Concussions in Athletics: From Brain to Behavior reestablishes itself as a state-of-the-art reference that will be of significant interest to a wide range of clinicians, researchers, administrators, and policy makers, and this updated version aims to narrow the gap between research findings and clinical management of sports-related concussion and other mild traumatic brain injury. The second edition also attempts to broaden the scope of the knowledge to apply to more professionals and pre-professionals in the fields of neuroscience, neuropsychology, and other allied health professionals that closely work with athletes and sports medicine professionals.