Finally, finally, finally!  Professional locker rooms across the country will be undergoing minor redecoration, with players’ health in mind.

The National Football League (NFL) has released its official, new poster, which clearly lists symptoms of concussion and potential long-term effects. In one section, the poster says that traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to “…problems with memory and communication, personality changes, as well as depression and the early onset of dementia.”  This is the most honest and blunt statement of the hazards of football by the NFL since, well…ever.

According to an article in the New York Times, players welcome the posters:

“That poster is shocking,” said Domonique Foxworth, a cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens. “It gives people facts before they take risks. But it’s not exactly a new revelation.”

Matt Birk, the Ravens’ center, said: “To put it out there in writing in locker rooms, at least it’s publicly acknowledging that, ‘Hey, this is real.’ There’s risks in everything you do, and this one is real. You can’t sweep it under the rug anymore.”

On the poster (which may or may not be different from what is said on the field), players are told that “playing through” a concussion could cause permanent brain damage. The advice is to report symptoms, get checked out by medical staff, and then take time to recover.

Although this is a great and long over-due first step, the New York Times reports that a lawyer for the NFL wrote a memo discrediting connections between football head trauma and long-term cognitive decline. The article continues:

The letter, obtained by The New York Times, explained, “We can point to the current state of uncertainty in scientific and medical understanding” on the subject to deny players’ claims that their neurological impairments are related to football.

Sadly, that adds credence to the football league’s “chew ‘em up and spit ‘em out” reputation when it comes to players’ health. The problem is that if a player wrecks his knee, he loses his job…but if he wrecks his brain, he could lose his memory, his family, his entire sense of self. We’re glad to see that the posters provide solid medical information. Maybe, eventually, the message will sink in. The next step is to make sure players are respected for taking it slow after concussion.

To read the full New York Times story, click here: NFL Concussion Poster

As temperatures rise, so do the number of head injuries, including traumatic brain injury and concussion, head lacerations, and skull fractures.

Weeks of vacation and sultry weather make outdoor sports more popular, and whenever people get active, there are bound to be injuries. This week, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) issued a reminder to enjoy summertime sports safely.

Over a one-year period from 2008 to 2009, the numbers of head injuries rose for nearly every sport (the single exception: Trampoline!). Heading the list (pun intended) are bicycling, water sports, baseball and softball. Cyclists suffered the most head injuries–more than 85,000 were reported in a single year, up from about 71,000. And the number water-related head injuries more than doubled, from 11,200 to than 28,700.

“By taking a minute or two to use your head, you can help prevent potentially life-altering and tragic consequences,” Dr. Gail Rosseau, a Chicago-area neurosurgeon and AANS spokeswoman, said in an association news release.

Surprising and Preventable Causes

When it comes to cycling, the AANS reports that at least part of the blame for the increase in injuries comes from–get this: use of cell phones! “Sidetracked cycling” is is as dangerous as “distracted driving.”

The AANS offers the following safety recommendations:

• To prevent biking accidents, the organization encourages riders to use helmets, obey traffic signals, avoid uneven surfaces, wear bright colors and reflectors at night, and avoid cell phone use.
• To increase water safety, AANS advocates for adult supervision of young children, careful diving in conjunction with accurate water-depth information, keeping gates locked around backyard pools, avoiding alcohol consumption during water-related activities, following posted instructions at public places, and enforcing a strict ban on potentially dangerous rough play.

And don’t forget that using cell phones while supervising young children around swimming pools could also be dangerous. If attention is needed, give attention. Of course, if you’re a glass-is-half-full kind of person, you could take the AANS report as a license to turn off the cell phone and enjoy your time outdoors. Summer, sports, and safety–that’s having it all!

Concussion is finally gaining respect as a serious injury. Doctors have begun calling it “mild traumatic brain injury,” which more fully and accurately defines what concussion really is. High schools and high school sports organizations have begun setting more stringent standards for evaluating a student athlete after a head injury–no matter how minor the injury may initially seem to be. And doctors are weighing in with guidelines for when the injured athlete can return to play.

This week, a press release from C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital (part of the University of Michigan Health System) reports on a recent poll, and talks about the next step in recognizing concussions: parents.

According to the article, two-thirds of parents of young athletes worry that their children will get a concussion while playing school sports, but 50% don’t know if their children’s school has a concussion policy. One-third of parents are unaware of the dangers of repeated concussions, which can include permanent brain injury, early dementia, or even death.

Experts believe that a young athlete who suffers a concussion should not return to play for at least two weeks, and some brain injury specialists believe that injured players should sit on the sidelines for three full months to give the brain a chance to heal.

It can be difficult to diagnose a potential concussion on the field. Contrary to popular belief, most concussions do not result in a loss of consciousness…and symptoms may not occur for several hours after the injury. Young athletes may not recognize that they are hurt, or they may be afraid to mention symptoms for fear of losing playing time or of disappointing a coach or a parent.

What parents should know

Parent involvement in guarding against repeat concussions is critical.  Any time you suspect that your child has received a head injury, watch for these common signs and symptoms of concussion:

• confusion
• loss of memory (amnesia)
• headache
• dizziness
• a sensation of the world spinning (vertigo)
• imbalance
• lack of awareness of surroundings
• nausea and vomiting

If these symptoms appear after a head injury, consult a medical professional promptly for a full evaluation. Don’t allow a coach to pressure your child into playing before he or she has recovered. When in doubt, talk with a doctor.

For more information, click here:   “Concussion in Sports” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

To read the full C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital press release, click here: “Parents Ill-Prepared to Reduce Kids’ Concussions Risks”

If you have legal questions about concussion and brain injury, go to the HensonFuerst dedicated Brain Injury page. At HensonFuerst, if you have questions, we have answers.

For girls and young women, one sport accounts for more than 65% of of all high school catastrophic injuries, and more than 70% of all collegiate catastrophic injuries. (For the record, “catastrophic injuries” are life changing events, including traumatic brain injury, paralysis, and death.)  Less severe injuries are also common–each year, this sport sends more than 25,000 female students to hospital emergency rooms.

The sport?  Cheerleading.  And compounding the tragedy of injury is the fact that only 20-25 states list high school cheerleading as a sport… the NCAA doesn’t recognize cheering as a championship sport… and unless the number has changed since December 2009, only 3 colleges consider cheering a sport–none in North Carolina. (Statistics from Journal of Athletic Training 2009)

Call a Sport a Sport.

While “recognition” might seem like a minor point, it has major ramifications for safety.  A “sport,” performed competitively and for entertainment, requires strict guidelines to ensure the safety of athletes. In 1980, when cheering was still primarily about leading the crowd in cheers, there were fewer than 5,000 emergency room visits. Today, cheering involves highly skilled gymnastics (as well as being tossed in the air and trusting that someone will be there to catch you).

Without the sanction of being a sport, cheerleaders often have to practice in areas that make injuries more likely, such as an asphalt parking lot or a team member’s backyard.  A “sport” requires coaches to have a certain level of training and certification; a “sport” puts limits on the risks required of the participants; and a “sport” makes training and safety an integral part of practice and performance. Unfortunately, in most schools, cheering lacks safety, limits, and trained coaches.

Gimme an A-C-T-I-O-N.

One of cheering biggest and most vocal supporters is Frederick O. Mueller, Ph.D., Director of the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). The group’s 26th annual report devotes a special section to cheerleading injuries, which describes the current state of cheering as a sport, details specific catastrophic injuries and how they occurred, and suggests sample guidelines that could help prevent cheerleading injuries. As quoted from the report (available here):

“Is cheerleading an activity that leads the spectators in cheers or is it a sport? If the answer is to entertain the crowd and to be in competition with other cheerleading squads, then there must be safety guidelines initiated. The authors of this research question why it is called cheerleading, when competitive cheer has nothing to do with leading the crowds at athletic events in cheering for the athletic teams on the playing field. Following are a list of sample guidelines that may help prevent cheerleading injuries:

1. Cheerleaders should have medical examinations before they are allowed to participate. Included would be a complete medical history.
2. Cheerleaders should be trained by a qualified coach with training in gymnastics and partner stunting. This person should also be trained in the proper methods for spotting and other safety factors.
3. Cheerleaders should be exposed to proper conditioning programs and trained in proper spotting techniques.
4. Cheerleaders should receive proper training before attempting gymnastic and partner type stunts and should not attempt stunts they are not capable of completing. A qualification system demonstrating mastery of stunts is recommended.
5. Coaches should supervise all practice sessions in a safe facility.
6. Mini-trampolines and flips or falls off of pyramids and shoulders should be prohibited.
7. Pyramids over two high should not be performed. Two high pyramids should not be performed without mats and other safety precautions.
8. If it is not possible to have a physician or certified athletic trainer at games and practice sessions, emergency procedures must be provided. The emergency procedure should be in writing and available to all staff and athletes.
9. There should be continued research concerning safety in cheerleading.
10. When a cheerleader has experienced or shown signs of head trauma (loss of consciousness, visual disturbances, headache, inability to walk correctly, obvious disorientation, memory loss) she/he should receive immediate medical attention and should not be allowed to practice or cheer without permission from a physician.
11. Cheerleading coaches should have some type of safety certification. The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors offers this certification.
12. The NFHS should make cheerleading a sport, which will place cheerleading under the same restrictions and safety rules as all other high school sports. The NCAA should follow this same recommendation.”

HensonFuerst commends the research and activist efforts of Dr. Mueller and his team. We represent the interests of far too many children and young adults whose lives have been shattered due to head trauma or other catastrophic injury. There are few things in life as heartbreaking as broken potential. We agree that it is time to let recognition and regulations catch up to this fast-moving, physically demanding sport. Yes, sport. Let’s at least make an effort to stop the hemorrhage of young, enthusiastic lives.

To report a cheerleading injury to make statistical reporting more accurate, go to www.cheerinjuryreport.com, sponsored by the National Cheer Safety Foundation. For more information about traumatic brain injury, or to request a legal consultation for a cheer injury, visit our dedicated web page. If you have questions, HensonFuerst has answers.

(Related and interesting articles can be found here: Flying without a net: Cheer injuries on rise. MSNBC and Cheerleading is leading cause of catastrophic injury in young women, ScienceDaily.)

“Nearly 30,000 veterans have suffered some kind of traumatic brain injury in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq – an estimated 2,000 of them severe enough to put warriors into comas or leave them with severe disabilities. Yet eight years into the wars, testimony before Congress shows veterans still suffer yawning gaps in coverage for what has become the conflicts’ signature wound.”   (News & Observer, 5/23/2010)

“…part of Pittman’s brain has gone dormant, and on most days, he can’t think straight. He leaves the room and forgets what he was searching for. He gets migraines so piercing that his right eye wanders. Anger comes easily, inspiring rages that sometimes have his wife terrified for herself and the couple’s 3-year-old daughter.”

A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the number of injuries are often under-counted. In addition, the severity of symptoms is underestimated. For example, some states only require that injured athletes be removed from play for the rest of the day… and yet, a study by the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington found that more than 80% of students who experienced a concussion reported a significant worsening of symptoms over the first four weeks after attempting to return to school academics. (From article in USA Today.)

The primary federal program directed specifically at preventing concussion in high school sports is Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports, a program of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This program provides information for coaches, trainers, athletes, and parents, including information about how long a child should sit on the sidelines after concussion. For example:

“Several factors may affect decisions about when it is safe for an athlete to participate in sports again, which are referred to as return-to-play decisions. For example, research has shown that athletes who have sustained one concussion are at increased risk of sustaining another concussion. An athlete who sustains a repeat concussion before the brain recovers from the first—within hours, days, or weeks—may recover more slowly or may have increased likelihood of long-term consequences. Research has also shown that children and adolescents are more likely than adults to sustain a concussion and take longer to recover from one, although the reasons for this difference remain unclear.” (from the GAO report)

What is clear is that concussion–more precisely known as mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)–is more common than estimated, more damaging to young brains than most people think, and not as respected as it should be. What we’ve learned from studying adult athletes is that repeated mild head trauma can lead to permanent and debilitating brain injury, including early dementia and death.  No one encourages young people to get injured, but there is a strong culture encouraging kids to get back in the game, and to play through the pain. The government’s report is the first step in making sure everyone is aware of the potential severity of every head injury.

(For more information about brain injury, visit HensonFuerst dedicated web page:  HensonFuerst TBI page.)

In late April 2010, an NCAA panel recommended that all schools have a clear plan for what to do when a student athlete receives a head injury. The main issues are recognizing signs of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI, also known as concussion), understanding the potential severity of every head injury, and deciding when the athlete is fit to resume playing. (Sports Illustrated/CNN)

The first week of May, it was announced that athletes at all Big Ten colleges will be required to undergo education about the symptoms of MTBI.

On May 9, 2010, Dylan Steigers died of a football-related head injury. He walked off the field after a scrimmage, vomited–a sign of concussion–then taken to the hospital. He died of subdural hematoma (bleeding on the brain). His death will surely be remembered and cited often as yet another reminder of how serious every head injury can be. (OregonLive)

At HensonFuerst, we are highly attuned to the dangers of brain trauma.  Every day we see clients whose lives have been changed forever after an accident. We support the principle of brain injury education for athletes, coaches, parents, and college administration officials.  The more we all understand about the signs and symptoms of brain injury, the more we respect the seriousness of even “mild” concussions, the more we encourage wellness over performance, the fewer disabled athletes will require a lifetime of special care.

We hope that the responsibility for recognizing when an athlete may be unfit to play is given to those who have the appropriate medical training. We say this because it was reported that “students will sign a waiver acknowledging their responsibility to be an active participant in their care.” (Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, as reported on AnnArbor.com.)

Yes, it is important that athletes report their symptoms honestly–without fear of mockery or reprisals–but people who have a brain injury can be confused, forgetful, and disoriented. If the intention of this waiver is to get athletes to become more aware, that’s wonderful, but we hope that it is not used as a way to shield the colleges from their responsibility to protect the students.

HensonFuerst is a proud supporter of the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina (BIANC).

Young athletes are suffering more and more sports injuries, everything from brain injury to broken feet.  Of most concern is the increase in mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), what used to be known as concussion.

According to an article from the University of California, San Diego Health System:

Sports concussions are especially problematic in those under 18 years of age because of “second-hit” or “second-impact” syndrome. If an athlete returns to play too soon and has not allowed the brain to fully heal, then a second blow to the head could result in a life-threatening situation.

There is an organization that has launched an educational campaign to raise awareness and promote prevention of injuries in young athletes. STOP Sports Injuries was created by a coalition of organizations, corporations, and medical professionals. (The all-volunteer medical steering committee includes Dr. David Martin of Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC.)

The website offers educational tools for parents, coaches, athletes, and healthcare providers…concussion and injury-specific information…and injury prevention resources for specific sports, including baseball, basketball, cheerleading, dance, running, soccer, and many others.

Check out the site: http://stopsportsinjuries.org. The brain you save could be your own… or your child’s.

HensonFuerst Attorneys remain committed to combating brain injury. We are proud supporters of the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina (BIANC). If someone you love has suffered a brain injury and you are wondering what to do next, give us a call. If you have legal questions, HensonFuerst has answers.

According to a new report by the CDC, every year about 1.7 million people in the United States suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI) every year, and more than 50,000 people die of their injuries. This study looked at injuries suffered during the 2002-2006 survey period.

Compared to previous surveys, the incidence of TBI-related emergency hospital visits increased by 14.4%, and the incidence of hospitalization increased by 19.5%. By some definitions, this could be called an epidemic.

To download a free copy of the CDC report click the link at the bottom of the press release here: CDC press release.

Some highlights of the study:

• TBIs are responsible for about 30% of all injury-related deaths in the United States.
• The leading cause of TBI is falls. And falls are most common among children younger than age 5 and adults age 75 and older.
• The second leading cause of TBI is road traffic injury.

HensonFuerst is active in fundraising to support TBI awareness, prevention, and treatment. To read more about brain injury, see our brain injury page.

University of Michigan researchers have reported that a simple test that measures reaction time can help detect and diagnose concussion in athletes.

In the study, athletes were tested once at the beginning of their sport season—they had to catch a weighted cylinder dropped by their coach. Their reaction time was measured. Then, if one of those athletes received a concussion during the season, there reaction time was measured again several days after the injury.

The researchers discovered that athletes with concussion had a 15% longer reaction time. This demonstrates that concussion carries effects that linger even after the initial headache and dizziness go away. And it dovetails with recent suggestions we reported that athletes with concussion should remain sidelined for  at least three months. Such a simple test…and yet, if it is adopted by high school and college coaches, it may help save the brains of our young athletes.