CHICAGO, Ill. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – Traumatic brain injuries, or concussions, are very common among athletes, especially ones who play contact sports like football, hockey or soccer. In 2022, over two million children suffered from a TBI, according to the CDC. Concussion specialists at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush are on a mission to develop new ways to prevent and treat kids’ concussions.
From falls on the playground to collisions during sports activities, head injuries are on the rise, sparking calls for action.
Director of the Concussion Program at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Elizabeth Pieroth, PsyD, ABPP, MPH says, “We understand that there’s a risk associated with these sports, but we see the benefit much clearer, and so, I think there’s, sort of, a balancing of people looking at, do they wanna have their kids engaged in these sports?”
Many sports organizations and schools are now implementing concussion protocols to better protect their athletes. However, the responsibility ultimately falls on parents to advocate for their children’s safety and make informed decisions about their participation in contact sports.
“There have been new technologies for reducing concussions, as an example. So, there have been great improvements in the helmets that are used across sports, that the technology that we’re using is improving that,” Dr. Pieroth adds.
As concussions continue to impact children across the country, it’s imperative for parents, educators, and policymakers to work together to prioritize the safety and well-being of our youngest generation. Dr. Pieroth says, even with the advancement of technology, there will never be a “concussion-proof” helmet for sports.
Contributors to this news report include: Adahlia Thomas, Producer; Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Videographer; Roque Correa, Editor.
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Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html
Elizabeth Pieroth, PsyD, ABPP, MPH, Director of the Concussion Program, Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush
MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
RESEARCH SUMMARY
TITLE: KIDS’ CONCUSSIONS: WHOSE RESPONISBILITY IS IT ANYWAY?
REPORT: MB #5376
BACKGROUND: A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that disrupts normal brain function. It can occur with or without loss of consciousness and may result in a range of symptoms that can be temporary or long-lasting. Concussions in children, often referred to as pediatric concussions, are a significant concern due to their potential short- and long-term effects on brain health and development. In 2022, over two million kids under the age of 17 were diagnosed with a concussion or brain injury. Concussions in children can occur as a result of various activities, including sports-related injuries (such as football, soccer, hockey, and basketball), falls, motor vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents, and physical abuse.
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/concussions.html)
DIAGNOSING: The signs and symptoms of a concussion can vary widely and may include, but are not limited to: headache or pressure in the head, dizziness or balance problems, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light or noise, fatigue or drowsiness, difficulty concentrating or remembering, irritability or changes in mood or behavior, visual disturbances, sleep disturbances, and/or being slow to understand or respond to others. Diagnosing concussions in children can be challenging because symptoms may not be immediately apparent, and young children may have difficulty articulating how they feel. Healthcare professionals typically rely on a combination of symptom assessment, physical examination, and neurocognitive testing to diagnose and manage concussions in children.
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/concussions.html)
NEW TECHNOLOGY: Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush are working on better ways to treat concussion patients, especially children. “Elizabeth M. Pieroth, PsyD, ABPP is a Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist and the Director of the Concussion Program at Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH/Rush University Medical Center. She is a leader in the field of concussion assessment and presents nationally and internationally on the care of patients with concussions…Her philosophy of care is focused on listening to patients to truly understand their symptoms so an individualized treatment plan can be designed.”
(Source: https://www.rushortho.com/specialties/concussion-care)
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Ann Pitcher
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