Pediatric Head Injuries
Head injuries are the most common serious traumatic injury children suffer. Initial management of severe head injuries will be as an in-patient. However, many injuries require ongoing management to minimize school and long term impacts. Our team has published many papers and chapters on management of head injuries. Should surgical management be indicated, a thorough discussion with the family will ensue and expert care will be rendered.
Conversely, many times surgical intervention is not needed. As the popularity of contact sports and competitive cheerleading has risen, so have the occurrences of injuries sustained by the athletes who participate in these physically rigorous activities. Although broken bones and torn ligaments can be a serious threat to the livelihood of our young competitors, a much more significant and sometimes less noticeable injury can have far more devastating effects. Simply defined, a concussion is an injury to the brain that results from a blow to or shaking of the head through violent contact with the ground, an object or another individual.
Concussions alter the way in which the brain functions and often do not involve the loss of consciousness. They can occur even when the athlete is using protective headgear and can cause short-term neurological disabilities, affecting school, work and social life; long-term issues which affect memory and mood; and in the most severe cases, even death. Head injuries are never to be taken lightly, especially with our children, as their developing brains do not recover as quickly from concussions as those in adults.
The focus of our pediatric neurosurgical team is to assist athletes, parents, coaches, athletic directors, certified trainers, and physicians in the proper recognition, response and management of concussions. Utilizing advanced neurocognitive assessment tools and services allows our specially trained physicians and staff to bring greater understanding and awareness to the care of concussions- all of which are vital in helping to prevent future brain injuries in our young athletes.
Partnering with an ever-increasing number of athletic programs across several Central Florida communities, the pediatric neurosurgical team is able to provide comprehensive concussion testing, management and treatment for athletes at any age and level. For participating schools, our program can make referrals for neurocognitive testing software and training for coaches, athletic trainers and team physicians. The benefit of this resource is that athletes can be immediately tested for a concussion if one is suspected. Additionally, if a concussion is confirmed, our skilled clinical staff is able to help manage the course of recovery- from initial diagnosis to providing medical clearance for resuming practice and play.
The pediatric neurosurgical team also offers these same state-of-the-art resources for individuals, whose schools or athletic programs do not yet offer concussion testing or management. If a concussion is confirmed, we provide the same management resources offered to our partnering organizations to help prevent future injuries and ensure the best possible recovery.
Concussion Services
- Neurosurgical review of patient and images
- ImPACT® baseline neurocognitive testing and training
- Review of test results by neuropsychologist
- Post injury neurocognitive testing
- Return to play testing (balance and exertion assessments)
- Individual neuropsychological appointments
- Comprehensive care from diagnosis to medical clearance
For more information about head injury management contact us. For more information concerning other available programs, click on the links below.
View Dr. Trumble's clinical presentation on Pediatric Head Injuries. (Viewer Discretion Advised: The presentation contain graphic medical imagery)
http://www.floridahospitalforchildren.com/en/specialties-and-programs/sports-concussion-program
http://www.fhsportsmed.com/concussion
http://www.floridahospitalneuro.com/programs-services/programs-specialties/sports-concussions
