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Robert Cantu

Concussion Expert Revises Return To Play Guidelines

Pioneering concussion expert, Dr. Robert Cantu, issues revised return to play guidelines focusing on loss of consciousness, post-traumatic amnesia, concussion number, and time signs and symptoms take to clear at rest and with progressive exertion as factors.

Concussion Results From Violent Shaking Of Brain Causing Temporary Functional Changes

In layperson's terms, a concussion results from trauma (e.g. usually but not always a blow to the head, face or neck) which causes the brain - a jellylike structure which is normally protected from collisions with the skull by a tough, fluid-filled membrane - to collide with the skull.

Health Professionals With Training In Return to Play Guidelines Can Manage Most Concussions, Says Dr. Robert Cantu

Only where an athlete continues to experience post-concussion signs or symptoms for more than a week is consultation with a concussion specialized advised, says Dr. Robert Cantu.

Baseline and Post-Injury Neuropsychological Testing Valuable Tool in Concussion Management Says Dr. Robert Cantu

Computerized baseline pre-injury and post-injury neuropsychological testing can be an important part of concussion management, says Dr. Robert Cantu, particularly in terms of identifying cognitive impairment, but  isn't foolproof, does not allow a "red light/green light" decision on return to play, and is only one piece of the assessment puzzle.

Advice for Parents When Child's Concussion Symptoms Persist Or Get Worse

Dr. Robert Cantu recommends parents seek additional testing and evaluation if their child's post-concussion signs and symptoms do not clear within a week to 10 days or increase in number or severity.

No Return To Play In Same Game After Suffering Concussion For Youth Athletes, Says Dr. Robert Cantu

Because of the risk to youth and high school athletes of suffering a second potentially fatal brain injury before the brain has healed from the initial injury - a condition called second impact syndrome - Dr. Cantu advises against allowing such athletes to return to play in the same game or practice after experiencing post-concussion signs or symptoms.

Second Impact Syndrome, Though Rare, Poses Catastrophic Risk To Concussed High School Athletes

Second-impact syndrome occurs when a high school athlete who sustains a head injury - often a concussion or worse injury, such as a cerebral contusion (bruised brain) - sustains a second head injury before symptoms associated with the first injury have cleared. The condition, while rare, causes a sharp increase in intracranial pressure that is almost always fatal, says Dr. Robert Cantu.

"Stepwise" Return to Play Recommended For Athletes Sidelined By Concussion For Several Weeks Or Longer

If an athlete has been sidelined by a concussion for several weeks or longer, Dr. Robert Cantu recommends that he follow a "stepwise" approach to return to play.

Number, Intensity, and Degree of Concussion Symptoms Determine Severity, Says Dr. Robert Cantu

Duration, number and degree of post-concussion signs and symptoms determine concussion severity, says Dr. Robert Cantu.

Reasons Female Athletes At Higher Risk For Concussions Than Males Hard To Explain, Says Dr. Robert Cantu

The findings in a recent study in the Journal of Athletic Training that female athletes are more prone to concussions than male athletes and take longer to recover are hard to explain, says Dr. Robert Cantu, but may due to several factors.
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