September 27, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
When it comes to concussions in young athletes, doctors receive a lot of questions regarding the recovery process. The reality is that a concussion is a functional injury that causes a cascade of symptoms and altered body systems. Hana Bernhardson, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, talks about three major things to be aware of when caring for a child with a concussion.
- Each concussion can affect your athlete in different ways. Every concussion is unique, even within the same athlete. Symptoms can vary between their first and second concussion. Also, there is no timeline for recovery.
- While headaches are a common symptom, there are many others. These include:
- dizziness
- nausea
- neck pain
- mental fogginess
- intolerance to light and sounds
- The “return to learn” process is the priority for your student. Your doctor will collaborate with the school to coordinate your student’s return to class. Returning to sports is a separate process that requires collaboration between health care providers including physicians, physical therapists and athletic trainers. After a concussion, the goal is for the athlete to return to the sport in the safest way possible.
If you think your child has a concussion, call their pediatrician. Need help finding a pediatrician? We’re here to assist. Learn more about what factors to consider when choosing a provider.
