Key Learning Points

  • Head injury can be classified as minor, moderate or severe
  • Medical treatment is targeted at preventing secondary brain injury
  • On the field of play D or neurological assessment is performed using ACVPU
  • All participants following a head injury who have an ACVPU of C or less, should be extricated with spinal immobilisation from the pitch as soon as it is safe to do so
  • For assessment of disability or D in the medical room the GCS is used
  • Sports-related concussion is a sub-type of traumatic brain injury
  • A high index of suspicion is needed for the potential of concussive injury
  • Medical room assessment of the player with suspected concussion should use a standardised approach
  • Players with concussion should have medical follow-up
  • The treatment of concussion consists of relative physical and cognitive rest
  • Once the player is asymptomatic, a stepwise return to play can begin
  • Practitioners need to be aware of the appropriate sport and age-specific return to play guidelines
  • There is no “same day” return to play for a player diagnosed with concussion