Did you know that contact sports like soccer, basketball, and football make up around 45% of emergency department visits for sports-related brain injuries in children and teenagers? If you suspect your child might have a soccer-induced concussion in Middletown, NJ, or surrounding areas, get in touch with a professional team that can give them the treatment they need.

Genesis Orthopaedic & Spine - Soccer-Induced Concussions in Middletown, New Jersey

At Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine, we are committed to providing the highest standard of care. If you want and need to understand more about soccer-induced concussions, let’s dive deep into what they are, their symptoms, and what to do to ensure proper recovery.

Concussions 101

First of all, we need to understand what exactly a concussion is, how to identify it, and the possible associated risks. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that affects brain function, usually with short term effects. Most people get concussion because of a fall or as a result from playing contact sports, like soccer.

Sudden and violent head movements can cause your brain to slide or knock against the inner walls of your skull. These can injure your brain and affect its regular functioning, which is why most concussion patients experience dizziness, confusion, amnesia, blurry vision, etc.

Concussions are extremely common in sports, with approximately 3.8 million cases in the U.S. each year. Not only that, but they often go undiagnosed and untreated. While concussions usually don’t have long-term effects, proper and prompt care is essential to full recovery.

Concussions in Soccer

As we discussed earlier on, soccer is one of the sports that’s associated with higher cases of concussions in children and teenagers. Due to its nature, there are several risk factors that increase these chances, such as falls and/or ground impacts, collisions with other players, or heading the ball.

While a single concussion can be dangerous enough, repetitive head injuries can have lasting effects in young players. It can change how your brain’s structure works, leading to different complications or increasing your chances of developing further health issues. This is why safety strategies must always be present in the field.

Signs and Symptoms of Concussions

Since we’re talking about a brain injury, concussion symptoms can manifest in several ways, including physical, cognitive, and emotional signs. They may also appear right away, or after a few days.

  • Physical symptoms: include headache, ringing in the ears, headaches, neck pain, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, dizziness, fatigue. Some people might faint at the moment of the impact.
  • Cognitive symptoms: such as amnesia, confusion, feeling a “fog”, trouble focusing, forgetfulness, delayed answers to questions, and even slurred speech.
  • Emotional symptoms: a concussion could also affect your mental health and manifest in irritability, mood swings, loss of motivation, etc.

 Abnormal changes in your sleep pattern after an impact to the head could also indicate a concussion. Be aware if you or your child are having trouble falling asleep, sleeping too much, or waking up during the night.

A well-treated concussion probably won’t have long-lasting effects. However, the key is to get full recovery, comprehensive treatment, and slowly get back to your regular activities.

Soccer-Induced Concussions Treatment in Middletown, NJ

At our Middletown location, we provide care for the surrounding areas of Belford, Holmdel, Hazlet, Keyport, Red Bank, and Tinton Falls, New Jersey. We also serve Ridgewood, Westfield, West Orange, and Morristown. Here’s an overview of what you can expect during your visit:

Diagnosis and Evaluation

When you get to any of our Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine locations for a concussion diagnosis, you will be met by an expert team with Credentialed ImPACT® Consultants (CIC), which prepared them to provide exceptional concussion assessment and care.

We might use the Biodez BioSway™ machine to analyze your balance and coordination. With it, we can get a comprehensive look at your condition and monitor your progress through the following days and weeks. This data can also help us know when exactly you are ready to get back to your normal activities.

Our Approach to Concussion Treatment

First of all, you should know that you must take a break from your physical activities until your concussion is healed and you’re no longer manifesting any of the symptoms listed above. Additionally, your physician at Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine can also recommend:

  • Limiting your screen time
  • Light cardiovascular exercises
  • Taking light medications to alleviate pain
  • Vestibular rehabilitation
  • Physical therapy, mostly focused on neck strength

And, of course, follow-up visits to ensure your progress is going great. You will be working closely with physical therapists, neuropsychologists, and other specialists that will take care of you, provide the best recommendations, and trace preventive strategies with you so you don’t suffer from another concussion.

Concussion Prevention Techniques

If you or a loved one plays contact sports, it’s important to implement several strategies in order to avoid dangerous injuries such as concussions. Some of the most effective are:

  1. Proper heading technique in training.
  2. Using protective equipment, even during regular practices, like padded headgear.
  3. Suggesting or helping to implement restrictions for young players, rule adjustments, and safety policies at the club or school you’re practicing at.

At Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine, we are committed to providing comprehensive care for patients suffering from soccer-induced concussion or any other kind of sport injury. We offer the latest techniques and options for addressing your orthopaedic concerns in any of our five New Jersey locations.

Our expert team is here to help you find the most effective treatment plan so you can get back on your feet better than before. If you are worried you might have a concussion, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation.

 

 

Top Orthopedic Surgeon in New Jersey Top Orthopedic Surgeon in New Jersey Top Orthopedic Surgeon in New Jersey Top Orthopedic Surgeon in New Jersey Top Orthopedic Surgeon in New Jersey Top Orthopedic Surgeon in New Jersey Top Orthopedic Surgeon in New Jersey Top Orthopedic Surgeon in New Jersey Top Orthopedic Surgeon in New Jersey

Contact Us
Call Us Text Us
Skip to content