Ross Medical Group offers Comprehensive Concussion Evaluation and Management

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. Some of the ways you can get a concussion are when you hit your head during a fall, car crash, or sports injury. Doctors sometime refer to concussions as “mild” brain injuries because they are usually not life-threatening. Even so, their effects can be serious.

What are the symptoms of a concussion?

Symptoms of concussion can vary widely, but can be grouped into the following categories:

• Thinking/Remembering – difficulty thinking clearly, feeling slowed down, difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering new information
• Physical – headache, fuzzy or blurred vision, dizziness, balance problems, sensitivity to noise and light, feeling tired and/or having no energy
• Emotional/Mood – irritability, sadness, nervousness or anxiety
• Sleep – trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, sleeping more or less than usual

What treatment options are available?

Pre-season baseline concussion testing is helpful in guiding your treatment regimen to the specific symptoms and deficits that you are feeling. Ross Medical Group offers baseline testing for all athletes. After a concussion, getting plenty of rest helps the brain to heal. There are certain types of physical therapy that can help as well. When you start to feel better, you can slowly and gradually return to your usual routine. Ignoring your symptoms and “toughing it out” often makes symptoms worse. Having a detailed “return to sports” plan crafted by Dr. David Ross at Ross Medical Group is essential to getting back on the field as quickly and safely as possible.

When can I go back to playing sports?

Complete resolution of your symptoms is needed and certain other cognitive tests can be helpful in guiding the decision to return to playing sports. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain has fully healed can be very dangerous and may slow your recovery or increase the chance for long-term problems. For that reason it is important that your see your doctor at Ross Medical Group to make sure you are safe to return to sports.

Please call Ross Medical Group at 305-279-7677 to make an appointment with Dr. David Ross to evaluate you for pre-season baseline concussion testing or to help manage a new or existing concussion.