Concussion Treatment

If you need treatment for a concussion, we offer the most comprehensive care in the region .

Concussions can happen to anyone who hits their head, and they’re also one of the most common sports injuries. At Vermont Orthopedic Clinic, we know that diagnosing and treating a concussion can be complicated. That’s why our experts created the Concussion Clinic, where we provide treatment for anyone experiencing a range of concussion symptoms.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is also known as a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), and is caused by a sudden bump, jolt, or blow to the head. People who experience concussions don’t always have visible damage to their heads. Concussions happen most often to people who play contact sports, but anyone can get one if they experience an accident that affects their head, like a fall or a car accident.

Concussions stretch and bruise nerves and blood vessels in the brain and cause temporary (short term) changes that keep the brain from working normally. Concussions aren’t usually life-threatening, but the effects of a concussion can be serious and last for weeks or more.

A single concussion won’t usually cause long-term effects, although multiple concussions over your lifetime may cause more lasting damage to your brain.

People most at risk for a concussion include:

People who play contact sports
Older people, adolescents, and young children
Military workers exposed to explosive devices
Anyone who has experienced a car accident
People who are experiencing physical abuse
Anyone who has had a concussion before

While experts aren’t sure how well a helmet can prevent a concussion, a helmet can prevent skull fractures and more serious traumatic brain injuries. If you’re an athlete, your best defense against a concussion is still to wear well-fitting safety equipment and use safe sports techniques.

What are Signs & Symptoms of a Concussion?

The symptoms of a concussion can impact you physically, mentally, and emotionally. They can also affect your ability to sleep.

Physical symptoms may include:

Headache
Fatigue
Nausea or vomiting
Sensitivity to light or sound
Dizziness or balance problems
Numbness or tingling
Visual problems
Stunned appearance (looking shocked or confused)

Cognitive (mental) symptoms may include:

Feeling foggy, confused, or slow
Difficulty concentrating
Responding slowly to questions
Being forgetful of recent events or conversations
Repeating questions

Emotional symptoms may include feeling:

Irritable
Sad
Nervous
More emotional than normal

Sleep symptoms may include:

Drowsiness
Sleeping more than usual
Waking up often
Having trouble falling asleep
Sleeping less than usual

It’s important to note that most people don’t lose consciousness when they get a concussion, and losing consciousness is not necessarily a sign of a concussion.

If your symptoms last longer than a few weeks, you could have a long-term condition called post-concussive syndrome. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms last longer than expected.

Concussion

This is a serious brain injury. It happens when your brain bumps back and forth violently inside your skull. A concussion can affect the way your brain functions. It can cause permanent problems.

How are Concussions Diagnosed?

If you’ve had a head injury, it’s best to see a doctor who specializes in concussion care. That’s because diagnosing a concussion can be difficult, and no single test can confirm a concussion.

If you’ve had a head injury, the board certified doctors at Rutland Regional’s Concussion Clinic will diagnose you by:

Asking you about the history of the injury
Noting any symptoms you’re having
Giving you a neurological examination to check your vision, hearing, balance, and reflexes
Giving you a test to check your thinking ability, memory, and concentration

Concussion injuries don’t show up on imaging tests like CT Scans or MRI. Your doctor may not refer you for further testing unless they find an abnormality that could point to more serious brain injuries like swelling or bleeding.

Sometimes a concussion diagnosis isn’t entirely clear, but your doctor may ask you to take precautions to prevent getting injured again.

How are Concussions Treated?

If you suspect that you have a concussion, the first step is to stop participating in the activity that caused it (such as playing sports). The next step is to see a healthcare professional, like our concussion experts at Vermont Orthopaedic Clinic’s Concussion Clinic.

The best treatment for a concussion is to rest so that the brain can heal itself over time. Our team offers many supportive treatments that will help you safely get back to your normal activities.

Your treatment plan could include:

Limiting screen time (phone, computers, TV’s, etc.) if it worsens your symptoms
Participating in light physical activity, but avoiding activities that worsen symptoms
Getting a lot of uninterrupted sleep (after an observation period)
Taking medicines, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help with headache

If you are experiencing the longer effects of post-concussive syndrome, the experts at Rutland Regional will help you make a treatment plan that includes:

Monitored exercise and physical therapy to improve balance
Coordination and sports training for athletes
Speech or occupational therapy if you have specific problems
Referring you to a neurologist depending on your symptoms

Return to Activities after a Concussion

Every concussion is different and requires a different treatment plan. The experienced specialists at our Concussion Clinic can help you decide when it’s safe to get back to certain activities. You may be able to return to work or school right away, but you may have to wait longer to get back to things like driving, physical activity, or sports.

If you’re returning to school after a concussion, you doctor will make recommendations based on specific symptoms. If you’re having trouble with your schoolwork, your doctor may recommend limiting sports or physical activity. If your symptoms get worse with stress, your doctor may suggest modifying your class schedule, extra time on tests, or less time at school.

If you’re returning to physical activity or sports after a concussion, your doctor will ask you to wait until you’ve recovered from the symptoms of your concussion. Then you will be allowed to slowly return to your sport or activity. That means you’ll increase the intensity of the sport over several days. How long it takes for you to return to your sport depends on your age, the sport, and specific symptoms.

If your symptoms are lasting a long time, your doctor may use exercise as a treatment for your concussion. That means you’ll start an exercise program as part of your treatment plan.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Concussion?

Experts aren’t sure what happens in the long-run if you’ve had a concussion. Scientists are trying to figure out whether there’s a connection between concussion and a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive neurodegenerative disease (disease of the nervous system that gets worse over time). Experts are still studying CTE to understand it better.

Additional Resources

Our sports medicine providers and athletic trainers are available 24/7 through our sports injury hotline. We provide pre-examination advice and offer expedited office evaluations as needed. Our hotline can be reached at 802.236.4117.

For additional information on concussion, please consult the following resources: