Sports-Related Head Injuries Are Subject of Symposium

CINCINNATI—Regrettably, head injuries in high school and college sports are as inevitable as the seasons. But how coaches, athletic trainers and the athletes themselves approach these injuries can make a world of difference in a young person's future. The University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute (UCNI) and Mayfield Clinic will co-sponsor their first educational symposium on the subject on Friday, April 23 (8 a.m.-noon), at Xavier University’s Cintas Center. 

Entitled "You Can’t Ice the Brain,” the symposium seeks to help increase awareness of sports-related head injuries and to provide information about how to recognize, manage and treat these injuries.

"Recent attention has been focused on sports-related head injuries in organized sports," notes Lori Shutter, MD, associate professor of neurosurgery and director of the Neurocritical Care Program at UCNI. "Athletes, administrators of sports governing bodies, medical personnel and the media are speaking out on the effects of concussions suffered during physical activity."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of more than 200,000 sports-related head injuries were treated in U.S. emergency rooms each year between 2001 and 2005.

"Many more occur but fail to receive medical attention,” Shutter says. "Often the effects of concussion are subtle, and the athlete's motivation to return to the game can result in under-reporting of injuries. This can lead to persistent problems, occasionally with fatal consequences."

A multidisciplinary faculty will discuss concussions, concussion screening and acute management, returning to play, managing persistent symptoms, and the impact these injuries have on sports programs.

At the completion of this workshop the participants should be able to:

• Identify the signs of concussion.

• Identify the risk of recurrent concussions.

• Perform an assessment for concussion.

• Distinguish between grades of concussion.

• Discuss the appropriate management of concussion.

• Discuss the treatment options for concussion.

The symposium is open to athletic directors, coaches, athletic trainers, school nurses, athletes and parents. Students will be admitted free. The registration fee is $15 for non-students. Registration deadline is April 20.

For more information, or to register, please call (513) 569-5354 or send an e-mail to events@UCNeuroscience.com.