At the OrthTeam Centre, our Concussion Clinic is available to elite athletes, as well as, amateur athletes and young sportspeople from age eight to 18.

Our multidisciplinary service brings together leading specialists from sports medicine and neurosurgery to give expert advice on concussion-related injuries and conditions. Headed-up by our Sport and Exercise Medicine Consultant, Dr John Rogers, our team includes:

• Neurosurgery and Neurology
• Expert vestibular rehabilitation specialist
• Sports physiotherapist
• Neuropsychologist
• Clinical psychologist

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow, jolt or bump to the head, or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.

Signs and symptoms

Generally, these show up soon after the injury. However, it may not be apparent how serious the injury is at first and some symptoms may not show up for hours or days. You should continue to check for signs of concussion right after the injury and also a few days after. If the signs or symptoms get worse, you should make an appointment with a concussion specialist to be assessed.

Common signs displayed by someone suffering from a concussion:

• Loss of consciousness (even briefly)
• Appearing dazed or stunned
• Can’t remember events prior to or after a fall or hit
• Moving clumsily
• Answering questions slowly
• Forgetting an instruction, confusion about an assignment or position, or unsure of the game, score, or opponent
• Displaying mood, behaviour, or personality changes

Common symptoms reported by suffering from concussion:

• Headache or “pressure” in head
• Vomiting or nausea
• Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision
• Bothered by noise or light
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
• Confusion, or concentration or memory problems
• Not “feeling right” or “feeling down”

Book an appointment with Dr John Rogers or Dr Jim Kerss by calling 0161 447 6888.