Introduction

Introduction

The management of head injury in a sporting context can be divided into 2 broad categories and these will be discussed separately:

1. Minor, moderate and severe head (traumatic brain) injuries, requiring immediate extrication from the field of play.
2. Concussive head injuries. These are not easily defined using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), as by definition the concussed player is expected to return to GCS 15 spontaneously and rapidly after the moment of injury, but they broadly equate to mild head injury and the milder end of the minor group. The on-field management issues are principally around determining whether concussion should be suspected and the player removed from the field of play for more detailed assessment and follow-up.