Emerging treatment and diagnostics for concussion introduction The growing number of concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) with the lack of evidence-based treatment options is a continuous health concern...
Emerging treatment and diagnostics for concussion introduction The growing number of concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) with the lack of evidence-based treatment options is a continuous health concern for sports medicine providers. There continues to be an evolving field in the management of persistent post concussive symptoms (PPCS). Due to the lack of evidence-based treatment options, post-concussion protocols mainly consist of symptomatic treatment to prevent a recurring concussion and to expedite the recovery process.
Patients with a concussion history are three times more likely to have an incidental concussion when compared to those without a concussion history. Of those people who develop PPCS, up to 25 % of them will experience prolonged PCS, where the symptoms continue for over six months. Concussion basics and management principles were covered previously ( Role of vestibular and vision therapy , PPCS treatment, PPCS pharmacology , PPCS Imaging , PPCS Basics .
The goal of the current post is to look into the emerging diagnostic studies and treatment options for concussion and persistent post concussive symptoms. Most sports medicine providers will need to evaluate athletes for concussion while covering events. The most common test still remains the SCAT test (most updated SCAT-5) for athletes or patients 13 and above.
Some sports (such as football, hockey) will sometimes modify the test (usually Maddocks questions to match sport) and normative data has been growing. The SAC (Standard Assessment of Concussion), BESS (Balance Error Scoring System), TGT (tandem gait test) and King-Devick test all remain viable sideline assessment tools. VOMS and eye tracking are also used frequently during sideline assessments depending on the provider’s training.
Efforts are being made to make these testing options available on cell phone or tablet applications. This would make the storage and normative data easier to access compared to paper charts or tests Adopted from. Diagnostic testing In regards to other diagnostic testing, biomarkers are the focus of many studies that are current and ongoing.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to emerging treatment and diagnostics for concussion, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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