CONCUSSION | SYMPTOMS, MANAGEMENT, & RETURN TO PLAY
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I take concussion very seriously. Players may have previously had the attitude of “shake it off” & “I’ll be alright”, but this is no longer acceptable.
It’s hard to measure how serious a concussion is, or what the long-term effects may be. There are reports of early dementia, depression, and suicide years after seemingly recovering from concussions. Therefore the safest attitude to adopt is “If in doubt, sit out”. Concussion does not necessarily mean you were knocked out. You may have just been dazed momentarily from a blow to the head or body. If you have any of the following symptoms it is considered a concussion and you must leave the field: |
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Your teammates, physio, referee, coaches, and club will not accept a player on the field following a concussion. No arguments.
We do not let our mates stay on the field if they’ve had a head knock.
- Headache
- Memory loss
- Unsteadiness
- Confusion
- Change in mood
Your teammates, physio, referee, coaches, and club will not accept a player on the field following a concussion. No arguments.
We do not let our mates stay on the field if they’ve had a head knock.
The majority of concussions do not need to go to hospital or have any scans. Most concussions will resolve without any special treatment.
Following a concussion it’s important to stay awake and stay with someone responsible for at least 4 hours.
There is a very small chance that you could have a serious injury like a bleed, which will get worse over the first few hours. Please contact your doctor or the nearest hospital emergency department immediately, if you notice any:
Following a concussion it’s important to stay awake and stay with someone responsible for at least 4 hours.
There is a very small chance that you could have a serious injury like a bleed, which will get worse over the first few hours. Please contact your doctor or the nearest hospital emergency department immediately, if you notice any:
- Change in behaviour
- Repeated vomiting
- Increasing dizziness
- Worsening headache
- Double vision
- Seizure
- Slurred speech
- Unsteadiness on feet
- Excessive drowsiness
Do not drink alcohol or take recreational drugs – it makes bleeding and swelling worse and could mask worsening symptoms.
Do not take pain medication, anti-inflammatories, or sleeping tablets – it’s important to be conscious of how you are feeling and whether your symptoms are worsening.
Do not drive until you are symptom free. If one of your mates is concussed, please offer him a lift or drive his car.
Do not train or exercise until you are symptom free. Exercise increases your blood pressure and will make symptoms worse.
Do not take pain medication, anti-inflammatories, or sleeping tablets – it’s important to be conscious of how you are feeling and whether your symptoms are worsening.
Do not drive until you are symptom free. If one of your mates is concussed, please offer him a lift or drive his car.
Do not train or exercise until you are symptom free. Exercise increases your blood pressure and will make symptoms worse.
You cannot participate in any sport or exercise if you have any symptoms. Symptoms during the first week may include:
It’s hard to predict how long this will last, although the majority of concussion symptoms resolve within 10 days.
- Headache
- Irritability
- Tiredness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Poor concentration
It’s hard to predict how long this will last, although the majority of concussion symptoms resolve within 10 days.
BLUE CARD
If the referee showed you a Blue Card, your concussion gets reported to NSW Suburban Rugby, and you have to:
- Report to a GP ASAP to complete a medical form (HERE)
- Miss at least 1 game
- See the GP a second time, the following week, once you are symptom free, to get clearance to play
- Submit the medical form to the club, to pass on to Subbies.
RETURN TO PLAY
Rugby Australia's "Return to Play" pathway is HERE.
When you are symptom free at rest, it is ok to try some light aerobic exercise. If you have any symptoms during or after, you have to go back to resting.
If you can do some light aerobic work without symptoms it is ok to return to non-contact training. If you have any symptoms during or after you have to go back to resting.
If you get through non-contact training without symptoms during or after, you can return to weights training. If you have any symptoms during or after you have to go back to resting.
If you get through weights training without symptoms during or after, you can return to full contact training. If you have any symptoms during or after you have to go back to resting.
It is ideal to complete two full, unrestricted trainings before returning to playing games.
When you are symptom free at rest, it is ok to try some light aerobic exercise. If you have any symptoms during or after, you have to go back to resting.
If you can do some light aerobic work without symptoms it is ok to return to non-contact training. If you have any symptoms during or after you have to go back to resting.
If you get through non-contact training without symptoms during or after, you can return to weights training. If you have any symptoms during or after you have to go back to resting.
If you get through weights training without symptoms during or after, you can return to full contact training. If you have any symptoms during or after you have to go back to resting.
It is ideal to complete two full, unrestricted trainings before returning to playing games.
