Athletic Trainer

In medical terms a concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). It occurs from either a direct blow to the head or elsewhere on the body that results in an impulsive force transmitted to the head (indirect blow). A TBI can cause disturbance in brain function and information processing.

Like any other injury, a brain injury needs time to heal, and the recovery rate will be different for every person. Most concussions heal without complications if handled properly. This includes early recognition, physical and cognitive rest, and not returning before being cleared by medical professionals. Some people recovering from concussions may need extra assistance with their symptoms, which could include speech therapy (for cognitive problems), occupational therapy (for oculomotor problems) and physical therapy (for balance and physical symptoms). These services are typically recommended by the athletic trainer or a medical doctor.

Early recognition starts with the athlete reporting symptoms to a coach, parent or athletic trainer as soon as possible, followed by a concussion evaluation by a medical professional.

• Signs and symptoms of a concussion can include:
• Headache
• Pressure in the head
• Neck pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Balance problems
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Feeling slowed down
• Feeling “in a fog”
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty remembering
• Fatigue or low energy
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Trouble falling asleep
• Increased emotions
• Irritability
• Sadness
• Nervousness or anxiety

Rest includes both physical and cognitive rest. If a concussion is suspected, all physical activity should stop until cleared by a medical professional. Cognitive rest should limit mental effort that tires the brain, such as watching TV, texting and playing video games. This may also include time away from school, as students may have difficulty taking tests, working on computers or may experience increased symptoms due to loud noises. A medical doctor can work with the school to create a special plan to help the student succeed.

Return to Play: The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) requires that athletes complete a graded or progressive return-to-activity program before returning to competition. The athletic trainer will handle this process or if the athlete is seeing a physical therapist, can be completed with them. A note signed by the physical therapist is required to confirm all steps have been completed and the athlete is cleared to return to competition.

St. Francis Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine offers physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy for people of all ages recovering from a concussion.

• Physical therapists focus on physical symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and balance issues, and guide athletes through the return-to-play protocol required by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).
• Occupational therapists address oculomotor system issues such as trouble with reading, depth perception and coordination of head and eye movements.
• Speech-language pathologists focus on cognitive symptoms such as memory problems, and help facilitate any school accommodations needed for a student after a concussion.

To schedule an appointment with St. Francis’ concussion team, call 952-428-2001 or ask the athletic trainer for assistance.

At the high schools, we use a program called ImPACT. ImPACT is an online program that measures cognitive brain function after a concussion. It is not a diagnostic tool and will not determine if someone has a concussion. The program helps the sports medicine team decide when an athlete is ready to return to play after a head injury.

This year, all ImPACT concussion baseline tests will be done at home. How it works:

• Email bmortenson@isd717.org with the following information: Athlete’s name, date of birth and a non-school email address
• An email will be sent from ImPACT and the athletic trainer with instructions on how to complete the test from home.
• The athlete will then participate in a 30-minute, computer-based test to develop their baseline.
• Baseline tests are valid for two years.

All high school athletes have the opportunity to take a baseline test during the school year. Tests should be completed before the start of the sports season. There is no charge to complete a baseline or post-injury test.