If a concussion is suspected, the best thing to do is to remove yourself, or the child, from play immediately until they can be evaluated by a medical professional. As the saying goes “When in doubt, sit them out!”

According to the CDC, an estimated 1.6 to 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur each year. However, this number is likely higher because of concussions that do not get reported.

Post concussion syndrome can last weeks, months, or even years. With proper treatment, most patients see significant improvement in their symptoms. Dr. Harary works with each patient to develop a personalized treatment plan to accelerate recovery.

Continuing to play despite suffering a concussion can be very dangerous! Athletes are at risk for developing Second Impact Syndrome (SIS) if they sustain a second head injury before the first one has a chance to heal. SIS can lead to brain swelling, long-term or permanent brain damage, and sometimes death. Even if you don’t sustain a second injury, continuing to play with a concussion makes you 7-10  times more likely to take a month or longer to recover.

The best and safest way to return to the field as soon as possible is to report your symptoms immediately and begin treatment.

Dr. Harary offers comprehensive treatment including medication management, physical therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and advanced procedures like PRP therapy. Treatment plans are customized based on individual symptoms and needs.

The first step is to be symptom-free at rest and while performing daily activities, including school and work. At that point, your doctor will decide if you are ready to begin a return-to-play protocol. This involves gradually increasing the type and intensity of physical activity through the course of different exercise stages (usually 4 or 5 stages) to ensure that symptoms do not return with exertion. At that point, your doctor may clear you to return to sports.

Return-to-play protocols are a critical part of the concussion treatment protocol. Sometimes, patients may feel better because they are simply not doing the level of activity that provokes symptoms. If that is the case, your doctor needs to know this before you return to the field.

Each concussion is different, so it is impossible to put a number on how many concussions someone can get before they should stop playing sports. If you are experiencing chronic symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or difficulty focusing/concentrating, then it is probably not safe to return to a contact sport. However, it is also important to maintain a healthy, physically active lifestyle. If it is not safe to return to contact sports, it may be safe to participate in other non-contact sports. It is important to seek medical advice from a concussion specialist when dealing with these questions. They can help guide you to make the right decision.

Call our office at 631-689-6698 ext 2204 to make an appointment