AS OF May. 20, 2013 - 8:14 AM | What does this mean?
Concussion Management
Center for Concussion at Rocky Mountain Youth Sports Medicine Institute in Denver, Colorado
A concussion is not just a “bump on the head.” It is a traumatic brain injury that needs proper treatment whether it is mild or severe. At the Center for Concussion at the Rocky Mountain Youth Sports Medicine Institute, we specialize in concussion treatment and management for student athletes to maximize their concussion recovery.
Concussion Treatment vs. Concussion Management
The best known concussion treatment is rest. However, it can take from one to three weeks to fully recover from a concussion, and it is very important that the concussion is managed throughout the entire recovery process.
Concussion management involves creating a support system around the athlete. Adults at home, at school and on the field, need to change and modify the environment around the student athlete to maximize their concussion recovery.
For example, over three weeks, parents may need to limit the student athlete's social activities. Teachers need to cut back on the amount of schoolwork. Coaches and certified athletic trainers need to rest the student athlete on the sideline, and slowly, under medical supervision, pace the student athlete back into play or activity.
REAP Concussion Management
The REAP Project focuses on helping all adults and student athletes know and understand how to modify the environment throughout the concussion recovery—to prevent further injury, and to promote healing.
REAP stands for Reduce, Educate, Accommodate, Pace. It is a community-based concussion management program that works on the premise that concussion is best managed by a multidisciplinary team that includes:
- the student athlete
- family
- various members of the school team
- medical team
Learn More About the REAP Concussion Management Program
Returning to School After a Concussion
Baseline ImPACT Testing for Concussion
The Center for Concussion now offers baseline ImPACT testing for young student athletes.
ImPACT testing for concussion is a nationally recognized, research-based computer test that establishes a baseline of your child’s responses that can be used to assess and manage their injury, if they experience a concussion. Learn More About ImPACT Testing
To Schedule a Baseline ImPACT Test please call 720-979-0840.
Concussion in Children Stories
Concussion in Children News
Dr. Karen McAvoy's Article Featured on SportsConcussions.org (May 15, 2012)
RMHC’s MCAvoy Contributes to National Concussion Effort (Vitals Newsletter April 2012)
NFL Announces New Sideline Concussion Assessment Protocol (National Football League, February 25, 2011)
"Jake Snakenberg Youth Concussion Act" (News Articles and Press Releases, February 10, 2011)
Playing Defense (TIME, February 3, 2010)
Impact of concussions extends beyond athletics, into life — and even death (The Denver Post, October 17, 2010)
Position Statement on Sports Concussion (American Academy of Neurology, October 10, 2010)
Jake's Legacy: Managing Concussions (9News, August 31, 2010)
ER Visits For Concussions Soar Among Kid Athletes (CBS4 News, August 30, 2010)
Concussion Related ER Visits Skyrocket For Student Athletes (7News, August 30, 2010)
