At the Harbin Clinic we have developed the most comprehensive Sports Concussion Management program in Northwest Georgia to appropriately evaluate, manage, and safely return to sports athletes who have suffered a sports related concussion. We have sports medicine physicians, neurologists, athletic trainers, and nurses who specialize in the management of sports concussions. We utilize the most current practices, guidelines, and computerized neurocognitive testing to treat our athletes. We hope you find the information provided on this page helpful in learning more about sports concussions.
What is a concussion? A concussion is a brain injury that is caused by a blow to the head or body. It may occur from contact with another player, hitting a hard surface such as the ground, floor, being hit by a piece of equipment such as a bat or ball, or a motor vehicle accident. A concussion can change the way the brain normally works. It can range from mild to severe and presents itself differently for each athlete. A concussion can happen even if an athlete does not lose consciousness.
What are the symptoms of a concussion? You can’t see a concussion, but you may notice some of the symptoms right away. Other symptoms can show up hours or days after the injury. Concussion symptoms may include:
• Confusion
• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or fuzzy vision
• Amnesia (loss of memory)
• Concentration or memory problems (Forgetting game plays, facts, meeting times)
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Nausea (feeling that you might vomit)
• Feeling sluggish, foggy or groggy
• Feeling unusually irritable
• Difficulty getting to sleep or disrupted sleep
• Slowed reaction time
How do you recover from a concussion? Your brain needs time to heal. Until you completely recover from your concussion, you will be held from all athletic activity. A Concussion usually resolves in 2-3 weeks. Physical exercise or activities that involve a lot of concentration, such as studying, working on the computer, or playing video games may cause concussion symptoms (such as headache or tiredness) to reappear or get worse. While your brain is still healing, you are much more likely to have a repeat concussion. In rare cases, repeat concussions can cause permanent brain damage, and even death. Severe brain injury can change your whole life. Before returning to your sport, you must be evaluated by a physician who specializes in the treatment of concussions and medically cleared for return.
Harbin Clinic is pleased to offer educational resources related to sports concussions for coaches and parents as well as provide the most cutting edge concussion testing and management available anywhere in the United States. Take a few moments to browse this page for important links to the CDC's website and crucial information about ImPACT™ - Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing. “Parents, coaches, athletes, officials, school administrators, school nurses and teachers should all know how to recognize a concussion and have an action plan in place,” said Chad Wagner, MD, a member of the Harbin Clinic Concussion Management team. “One of the best ways to learn about concussions is to explore the educational material and take the online course provided here.” CDC 's Heads Up Online Training and CDC's Concussion Prevention Training Program
Coaches and parents of young people who participate in sports are encouraged to visit the link below to receive information and training on concussions. The site includes an online course designed for coaches to help them recognize concussion injuries. Parents of athletes are also encouraged to take the course.
| Beginning in summer of 2010, Harbin Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine began offering the ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test to Floyd County high schools as well as Berry College and Shorter University. The ImPACT test is the most widely used, and most scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system available. This 20-minute neurocognitive test has become a standard tool used in comprehensive clinical management of concussions from college to professional sports. Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) administer the baseline tests to athletes. After an athlete suffers a head injury, they receive a post-injury test and further evaluation by Dr. Chad Wagner or Harbin Clinic's Sports Neurologist, Dr. David Hale. Local schools participating in Harbin Clinic's ImPACT program include Berry College, Armuchee, Cartersville, Cass, Chattooga, Coosa, Darlington, Rome, Trion, and Woodland. |
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The following video clips are from an interview that Dr. Wagner gave to the Rome Library channel’s, "Southern Exposure
Program". The 26 minute show is broken down into three segments.
Harbin Clinic Sports Concussion Management 1
Harbin Clinic Sports Concussion Management 2
Harbin Clinic Sports Concussion Management 3
Doctors Throw Flags on High School Concussions
Brain Injuries Haunt Football Players Years Later
Concussion fact sheet for coaches
Concussion fact sheet for athletes
Best practices for concussion management
Parent information sheet
Coaches guide to concussions
