Concussion Information

If your SCASD student-athlete exhibits signs or symptoms of a concussion, please contact the Athletic Trainer assigned to them as soon as possible.

 

At State College, student-athletes who are suspected of having sustained a concussion, the following will occur per Pennsylvania Law:

• Immediate removal from play in case of suspected concussion: Athletes who are determined by a game official, coach, certified athletic trainer, licensed physician, licensed physical therapist or other designated official to be exhibiting signs or symptoms of concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) must be immediately removed from play.
• No return to play without written medical clearance: Athletes who have been removed may not return to play until evaluated and received written clearance from either a: 
  • Licensed Physician (MD or DO) who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions or a licensed health care professional with such training designated by such physician
  • OR Licensed Neuropsychologist trained in the evaluation and management of concussions or who has postdoctoral training in neuropsychology and specific training in the evaluation and management of concussions. 

**A Clearance/evaluation note generated by any other health care provider (PA-C, RN, PT, CRNP, etc) will not be accepted.  The student athlete will need to be seen by one of the authorized provider types listed above.  

• Gradual Return To Play (RTP): If an athlete is diagnosed with a concussion, a return to play progression will be completed prior to return to sport.  A final clearance note must be obtained prior to return to sport or game participation by the presiding physician.  

Below content from SCAT 5

Echemendia, Ruben J., Willem Meeuwisse, Paul McCrory, Gavin A. Davis, Margot Putukian, John Leddy, Michael Makdissi et al. "The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition (SCAT5)." Br J Sports Med (2017): bjsports-2017.

 

Any athlete suspected of having a concussion should be removed from play and seek medical evaluation. Signs and symptoms could arise over the first 24-48 hours. The athlete should not be left alone and must go to a hospital at once if they experience:

 

     • Worsening headache

     • Drowsiness or inability to be awakened

     • Inability to recognize people or places

     • Repeated vomiting

     • Unusual behavior, confusion, or irritable

     • Seizures

     • Weakness or numbness in arms or legs

     • Unsteadiness on their feet.

     • Slurred speech

 

These are examples of possible signs and symptoms. Consult your physician or licensed healthcare professional after a suspected concussion. Remember, it is always better to be safe.
 

After a concussion, the athlete should have physical rest and relative cognitive rest for a few days to allow their symptoms to improve. In most cases, after no more than a few days of rest, the athlete should gradually increase their daily activity level as long as their symptoms do not worsen. Once the athlete is able to complete their usual daily activities without concussion-related symptoms, the second step of the return to play/sport progression can be started. The athlete should not return to play/sport until their concussion-related symptoms have resolved and the athlete has successfully returned to full school/learning activities. When returning to play/sport, the athlete should follow a stepwise, medically managed exercise progression, with increasing amounts of exercise.
 

A concussion may affect the ability to focus at school. The athlete may need to miss a few days of school after a concussion. When going back to school, some athletes may need to return gradually and may need to have some changes made to their schedule so that concussion symptoms do not worsen. If a particular activity makes symptoms worse, then the athlete should stop that activity and rest until symptoms get better. To make sure that the athlete can get back to school without problems, it is important that the healthcare provider, parents, caregivers and teachers talk to each other so that everyone knows what the plan is for the athlete to go back to school.