CONCUSSION | SYMPTOMS, MANAGEMENT, & RETURN TO PLAY
I take concussion very seriously. You 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 and 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:
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.
It’s hard to measure how serious a concussion is and 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:
- 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 – it makes bleeding and swelling 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.
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.
The best thing you can do to recover from your concussion as soon as possible is physical and mental rest. Mental rest includes resting from watching screens and reading.
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.
You cannot participate in any sport or exercise if you have any symptoms. Symptoms during the first week may include:
- 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.
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.
IF IN DOUBT, SIT OUT.
Have you had a concussion? What was your experience?...
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.
IF IN DOUBT, SIT OUT.
- Australian Rugby Concussion Protocol
- Australian Rugby Head Injury Form
- Australian Rugby Graduated Return To Play Protocol
- Australian Rugby Return To Play Medical Form
- World Rugby Head Injury Assessment (HIA) Protocol
- Head Injury Assessment (HIA) 1
- Head Injury Assessment (HIA) 2
- Head Injury Assessment (HIA) 3
Have you had a concussion? What was your experience?...
