Sports Concussions

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.

Isabelle Gagnon, PhD, is an assistant professor at the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at McGill University as well as a clinician and researcher at The Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Center. Alain Ptito, PhD, is a professor of neurology and neurosurgery at McGill University. He has worked as a neuropsychologist at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital and is now Director of the Psychology Department at the MUHC.

Editors Contributors Section I: What is a concussion? Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Concussion revisited: A historical perspective: How has the focus on concussion evolved over the years Chapter 3 Concussion incidence, risk factors, and prevention: What is the scope of the problem? Chapter 4 Biomechanics of sports concussion: How do sport concussions happen? Chapter 5 Acute diagnosis of sports concussion: How do we identify a concussion? Section II: Managing a concussion Chapter 6 Rest and recovery from concussion: How should rest be used in concussion management Chapter 7 Early management recommendations: What should be done now that we know it is a concussion? Chapter 8 Physiotherapy and concussion: What can the physiotherapist do? Chapter 9 Role of neuropsychology in sport concussion: What can the neuropsychologist do? Chapter 10 The role of the occupational therapist in concussion management: What can the occupational therapist do? Chapter 11 The role of the psychologist and psychiatrist in pediatric concussion management: What can they do for me? Section III: Recovery and beyond Chapter 12 Return to school: When and how should return to school be organized after a concussion? Chapter 13 Return to work: When and how should I return to work after a concussion? Chapter 14 Return to sports: When and how should I return to sports after a concussion? Chapter 15 How to manage persistent problems: What if I don't recover as quickly as I expected from a concussion Chapter 16 When the effects of concussions endure: What are some of the longer term consequences? Section IV: Additional considerations Chapter 17 Team and high risk sports: The baseline model: Is it useful to measure an athlete's abilities before the sport season? Chapter 18 On-field diagnosis and management of concussion: What should be done while I am still on the field? Chapter 19 Emerging diagnosis technology: What is coming up in terms of the use of biomarkers of concussion? Chapter 20 Emerging diagnosis technology: What is coming up in terms of the use of imaging technology in concussion care? Chapter 21 Emerging treatments: What is coming up in terms of the use of technology for treatment of concussion? Section V: Putting it all together: Complete concussion care Chapter 22 Putting it all together: The need for personalized care after concussion Chapter 23 Complex case studies Index