For many central Ohio families, sports are part of everyday life. But when a child takes a hard hit during practice or a game, it can be difficult to know whether it’s a minor injury or a concussion.
A concussion is a brain injury that should never be ignored. Early evaluation and proper recovery can help protect your child’s health, learning, and safe return to sports.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move inside the skull.
Concussions are common in youth sports, including football, soccer, basketball, wrestling, hockey, and lacrosse. A child does not need to lose consciousness to have a concussion. In fact, most children do not. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms may appear right away or over the next 24–48 hours.
Concussion Symptoms in Kids and Young Athletes
Common concussion symptoms include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Balance problems
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Trouble concentrating
- Confusion
- Mood changes
- Sleeping more or less than usual
Younger children may have difficulty explaining how they feel, so parents should also watch for unusual behavior or personality changes.
What Parents Should Do After a Suspected Concussion
If you think your child may have a concussion:
- Remove them from play immediately
- Do not allow them to return to the game
- Monitor symptoms closely
- Schedule a medical evaluation as soon as possible
Seek emergency medical care if your child has:
- Repeated vomiting
- Severe or worsening headache
- Trouble waking up
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness
- Loss of consciousness
These symptoms may indicate a more serious injury, and likely mean they have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Timely Concussion Evaluation at COPC:
As a COPC primary care patient, your child can get an initial concussion evaluation quickly at a COPC Pediatric Support Center or an Orthopedic Urgent Care. Our Pediatric Support Centers offer same-day care for the same cost as a primary care office visit. This can help families avoid urgent care costs while keeping care connected through your child’s medical record.
COPC’s Orthopedic Urgent Care can also do concussion evaluations for COPC patients 8 years and older, so your child can get the diagnosis needed to recover and get back to the sport they love. This service is provided at the Westerville and Reynoldsburg, COPC Sports, Spine and Joint locations. You can schedule an appointment via your COPC MyChart app.
Helping Your Child Recover From a Concussion
Recovery looks different for every child, but most young athletes improve within a few weeks.
Your child’s doctor may recommend:
- Rest breaks
- Reduced screen time
- Light physical activity (short walks, low-intensity chores, etc.)
- Gradually returning to schoolwork
- Avoiding activities that worsen symptoms
Children should avoid contact sports and activities with a higher risk of causing another head injury until medically cleared.
Returning to sports too soon can prolong recovery and increase the risk of another concussion before the brain has healed.
Returning to School and Sports
School can temporarily worsen concussion symptoms because of reading, screens, noise, and concentration demands.
Parents may need to work with teachers and school nurses to arrange short-term accommodation, such as:
- Reduced homework
- Delay testing
- Rest breaks
- Limited screen use
Under Ohio law, athletes participating in interscholastic sports or youth sports organizations, suspected of having a concussion, must be removed from play and cannot participate in practice or future games without medical clearance. If the athlete did not sustain a concussion, they can return to practice the next day if they provide a written note from a qualified licensed healthcare provider which states that they did not sustain a concussion.
If the athlete did sustain a concussion, they wouldn’t be able to return to play until they have a medical clearance form from a qualified licensed healthcare provider. With this permission, they can start the Return To Play Progression process to continue to evaluate their recovery while easing them back into aerobic activity, normal practice, and eventually competitions.
FAQ
Can concussion symptoms appear the next day?
Yes. Some symptoms appear immediately, while others may develop hours or even a day later. Continue monitoring your child after any head injury.
What medication can I give my child after a concussion?
It’s generally safe to use Tylenol during the first 24 hours after a concussion, as long as symptoms do not worsen. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) should be avoided during the first day because they may increase the risk of bleeding.
If headaches continue longer than two weeks, your child should return to their doctor for further evaluation.
Can a child sleep after a concussion?
Yes. Sleep is an important part of recovery after a concussion. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about monitoring symptoms after the injury.
When should a doctor evaluate my child for a concussion?
Your child should be evaluated as soon as possible after a suspected concussion, ideally the same day. They should not continue playing sports until medically evaluated.
How long does concussion recovery take?
Many children recover within a few weeks, but recovery time varies based on the injury and symptoms.
Can my child be active while they recover?
Light activity may be recommended during recovery, but children should avoid activities that worsen symptoms or increase the risk of another head injury.
What if my child isn’t getting better?
If symptoms continue, worsen, or interfere with school or daily activities, follow up with your child’s doctor for additional evaluation.
How can I support my child’s mental and emotional health during their recovery?
Having conversations about their feelings and keeping them connected with friends and family can be helpful to support them throughout the recovery process. Make note of any changes in their mental health or emotions, as these details may help their healthcare provider recommend treatment options.
My child sustained a concussion at a non-school-related sport; can they still get school accommodations?
Yes! Through the Americans with Disabilities Act, they are protected and eligible for accommodations, as a concussion qualifies as a temporary or long-term disability that affects academic performance. Connect with their school and discuss the necessary Return-To-Learn plan and provide the required medical documentation they need to proceed.
