It’s a Bad Idea

Another day, another concussion headline. This time, the news involved Indiana Pacers forward, Paul George. He suffered a concussion Tuesday, during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. As a physician, the most striking element in this story is the fact that George denied his symptoms during the game and played on; despite having blacked out.

Whether or not he will return for Game 3 on Saturday is still uncertain. While that decision now remains in the hands of the NBA, it’s George’s head that worries me. Like many athletes, whether NBA players or kids playing school sports, George wanted to keep playing. So he admitted his symptoms only after the game. That kind of decision can be costly.

Those of us who study and treat concussions are still working to inform the public at large about Second Impact Syndrome. As the name implies, it involves an athlete suffering one head injury, then returning to play or practice and suffering a second head injury. The double hit can have devastating consequences; further swelling of the brain, brain herniation, even death.

All parents with young athletes should take heed – whether their children play on regulated sports teams or shoot hoops and catch the ball in their own neighborhoods – one hit to the head is enough. Before returning to play, the athlete should be seen by a physician or specialist knowledgeable in the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of concussions. Athletes should only return to play once that physician determines it is safe.

In the meantime, and hopefully before any head injury occurs, consider having your child take the Neurocognitive (concussion) Baseline test. It’s simple, non-invasive, and only takes 20-25 minutes. In the event of an injury, a re-test can then provide a physician with valuable additional information to determine treatment options and when it’s safe to return to play.