Managing Sports Related Head Injuries And Concussion On-Field

In the earlier post, Concussion and Head Injuries in Contact Sports , we looked at the signs and symptoms of head injuries and concussion in contact sports. Here, we will touch on the on-field management of head injuries and concussion.

Mis-Management Of Head Injury

The biggest danger with concussion and head injuries is mis-management. This table indicates common mis-management and its danger.

The key to managing a head injury is speed. The faster you get to the injured athlete, the better the management and information gathered. A team approach is essential.

What You Should Do

Upon seeing an athlete sustaining a head injury, either through a clash of head or landing on the back of their head and lying on the ground, the following steps should be taken immediately upon reaching the athlete:

1. Stabilize the head and neck, in whatever position the athlete is in. Feel for any tenderness in the neck under your fingers. DO NOT attempt to turn or move the injured athlete.
2. Check for ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and consciousness. Commence CPR immediately if ABC absent.
3. Call the athlete’s name and observe for response. Note the time to respond, loudness of voice, quality of voice. If no response, keep calling the athlete’s name until there’s a response to your calling by the athlete and CALL for ambulance.
4. If blood is present, try to look for the source of bleeding and attempt to stop the bleeding.
5. Check whether the athlete is able to wriggle his/her toes and fingers, and followed by asking them to move their arm and legs. If athlete is unable to move, DO NOT MOVE them. CALL for ambulance. Stay with them until further medical assistance arrives.
6. If the athlete is able to move his/her fingers and toes and there’s an absence of tenderness over the neck, move them out of the field on a stretcher. While transferring the athlete onto the stretcher, ensure that the head is immobilized with a head collar.

Things To Look Out For

If the athlete wasn’t lying on the ground and was able to walk around after the collision, take them off the field. When out of the field, check the following:

1. Ask them whether they remembered what happened. If they’re unable to recollect what happened, they SHOULD NOT be allowed to continue play.
2. Observe for any nystagmus of their eyes (i.e. quick shifting of their eye balls left to right) when you ask them to track your index finger as you move it left to right and up and down. Also note for any inability to track. If unable to carry out this action, they should NOT continue.
3. Check for any blurred vision, loss of hearing, nausea or pain over any other part of head other than the place of impact. Presence of any of these would require close monitoring and the athlete should leave the game.
4. Check for balance and ability to carry out footwork or skills required for sport.

When Can Someone With Head Injuries Return Back To The Sport?

The injured athlete should ONLY be allowed back into the game after all the above has been checked and they are normal.

If any of the above signs are present, you’ll need to repeat these tests at regular intervals of 5mins. These athletes should not leave your sight and you should monitor them very closely. Generally, the athlete should regain all normal functions in about 20-30mins. Nevertheless, refer them to the A&E Department if you’re in doubt. Also, it’s better to inform a family member or a teammate to observe for any vomiting or increase in headache or confusion for up to 72hours post injury. If noted, the athlete should be rushed to the hospital immediately.

Once found to have a concussion, the athlete should not be involved in any form of contact sports for a duration of about 3 weeks before returning back to sports. The return to sport should also be gradual and they should be not allowed to go back to a high level of competition immediately.