#58: Concussion, traumatic brain injury, and post-concussive syndrome

Summary:

Get a-HEAD of concussions (aka traumatic brain injuries) with tools, tips, and tricks from The Concussion Guy, Dr. Evan Ratner, Medical Director of Gridiron Heroes. Learn to recognize concussions/traumatic brain injury, what questions to ask, physical exam maneuvers, and how to counsel patients and families on safe return-to-learn/play.

Full show notes available at http://thecurbsiders.com/podcast

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Case from Kashlak Memorial: 29F with no significant PMH presents to primary care office less than 24 hours after she accidentally struck her head on the metal of her car door. She experienced temporary altered consciousness lasting about one hour along with a headache. No nausea, vomiting, speech, or vision changes. She rested at home last night, but didn’t feel up to reading, or watching TV. She drove herself to your office today.

Time Stamps

00:00 Intro

02:33 Listener feedback

05:35 Picks of the week

12:15 Getting to know our guest

19:41 Defining and classifying concussion

23:00 What questions to ask your patient

26:34 Physical exam for patient with concussion

28:50 Use of neurocognitive testing in concussion

30:45 Specifics of testing eye movements and balance

35:00 Who needs imaging?

41:51 Recap of what we’ve learned so far

43:40 Can you let someone with a concussion go to sleep?

47:08 Return-to-learn protocol

50:30 Return-to-play protocol

52:30 Post-concussive syndrome

53:55 Medications for post-concussive symptoms

58:58 Second impact syndrome

64:40 Counseling the patient with multiple concussions

67:08 Take home points

69:09 The Curbsiders recap their favorite teaching points

71:30 Outro

Tags: concussion, post, concussive, syndrome, tbi, traumatic, brain, injury, return, play, school, cognitive, rest, treatment, diagnosis, assistant, care, education, doctor, family, foam,