Concussions are one of the most common and misunderstood injuries in sports. Every year in Quebec, thousands of athletes — from children to professionals — sustain a concussion. Rapid recognition of symptoms and appropriate medical management are essential for a complete recovery.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a direct or indirect impact to the head. It causes a temporary disruption of normal brain function. Important: you don't need to lose consciousness to have sustained a concussion. In fact, fewer than 10% of concussions involve loss of consciousness.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Concussion symptoms can appear immediately or develop in the hours following impact:
- Physical symptoms — headaches, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and noise, fatigue
- Cognitive symptoms — confusion, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, feeling of "brain fog"
- Emotional symptoms — irritability, anxiety, sadness, mood swings
- Sleep disturbances — insomnia, excessive drowsiness, difficulty falling asleep
The Return-to-Play Protocol
Return to sport after a concussion must follow a progressive 6-step protocol, as recommended by the Berlin international consensus (2023):
- Step 1: Relative rest — Light daily activities that don't provoke symptoms (24-48h)
- Step 2: Light aerobic activity — Brisk walking or low-intensity stationary cycling (15-20 min)
- Step 3: Sport-specific exercise — Skating, running, individual drills without contact
- Step 4: Non-contact training — Team drills, complex movement patterns
- Step 5: Contact training — After medical clearance, gradual return to contact
- Step 6: Full return to play — Normal participation in games and competitions
Each step must last a minimum of 24 hours. If symptoms return at any step, the athlete must drop back to the previous step and wait for symptoms to resolve before progressing.
Why See a Sports Medicine Doctor?
Concussion management requires specific medical expertise. A sports medicine doctor trained in concussion management can:
- Perform a comprehensive neurological assessment including balance, cognitive, and visual tests
- Determine the appropriate timing for each return-to-play step
- Identify risk factors for prolonged recovery
- Refer to specialists (neuropsychology, vestibular) when needed
- Provide medical documentation for school, work, and sports organizations
Prevention and Education
Concussion prevention starts with educating athletes, parents, coaches, and officials. Knowing the signs, following return-to-play protocols, and never ignoring a head impact are the pillars of safe sports participation.
If you or your child has sustained a head impact during sports, see a doctor trained in concussion management promptly. At Clinique Sport Santé Laurentides, we offer comprehensive assessments and personalized follow-up to ensure optimal recovery and a safe return to play.