Concussion awareness key to sports safety, surgeon says

With high school football season now in full swing, a recent study suggests that the Friday night lights may be fading.

The study in JAMA Pediatrics shows more athletes are dropping out of tackle football, possibly due to concerns over concussion risks.

When it comes to safety for football players, Cleveland Clinic orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Figler says concussion education and awareness are key.

“One of the biggest predictors of recovery is their ability to recognize the symptoms after the injury, rest, recover and then return,” Figler said. “That return should be guided by a physician or a healthcare provider that's well-versed in the management of concussions.”

Researchers looked at high school football participation rates over a 15-year span.

From 2001 to 2008, participation rates climbed. Since then, annual news reports about tackle football and brain injuries have increased significantly.

At the same time, football enrollment declined.

After a hit to the head, the athlete may look dazed and confused and may be stumbling.

Athletes’ eyes may look glossy, and they may complain of a headache or ringing in their ears.

Those signs should cause a player to be pulled from the game and to be appropriately evaluated.

Know the signs of concussions before spring sports season begins

Figler said, as with any sport, there are benefits of the activity that should factor into decisions about which sport an athlete chooses.

“The risk of not playing sport is probably a little bit higher, with pediatric obesity on the rise,” Figler said. “We also know that kids who play sports do better academically; they have better social engagement and they report better behavior as well as health patterns across the board and they're actually at decreased risk of depression and anxiety overall compared to their cohorts that don't play sports.”

Removing a player from the field of play after a suspected concussion is the best way to ensure quicker recovery, Figler said.

He recommends the mantra, “When in doubt, sit them out."