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Concussion for a 14 year old football player?

preacher_dawg

preacher_dawg

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Nov 12, 2014
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He said Tuesday at practice that he knocked in the head several times and has been complaining about headaches since then especially when he bends down. He said he had blurred vision eaelier today. He loves football and really wants to play on Saturday but I am concerned. This is his first year of playing football and he loves it, and wants to play through any small injuries, but I don't want it to be something to affect the rest of his life. Are there things I should be looking for in terms of a concussion? The coach set him out of practice on Wednesday but he practiced today when he said he was better, but is complaining about headaches again tonight.
 
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Herbert Nenninger

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Feb 9, 2019
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I’m a doctor. No freakin way I’d let him play.
Leg contusion, wrist sprain, viral infection, etc… suck it up buttercup.
Head injury with one single symptom of a concussion… I would consider not even letting him on the sideline if it’s hot or loud. That’s an actively developing brain that u can’t mess around with.
 
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Crazy Cotton

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Herbert Nenninger said:
That includes no physical exertion until he’s symptom free. I’d also restrict mentally stressful or taxing activities, like video games or scary movies. I’ve held a few kids out of school before so they wouldn’t have to think hard. The brain literally needs to rest.
Click to expand...
Cognitive psychologist here - need to listen to this doc. Cognitive function is often overlooked as a symptom but can last weeks and I'd let school know because he may need an accommodation while he's working through this if it is a concussion. Concussions often influence memory formation, attentional capacity, emotion regulation and other abilities that are part of their school life.

Young people aren't great decision-makers already for a number of reasons and concussion exacerbates that problem - so he may not be telling his coach his symptoms, might try and get on the field even even if he isn't feeling right, etc. That coach needs to hear exactly what your son is telling you and understand what is going on because he may not know, and if he ignores that keep the kid away and let someone higher up the chain know.
 
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preacher_dawg

preacher_dawg

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I will say that I like the coach a lot and he does not take chances with serious injuries. He pulled him on Wednesday night and I blame myself for letting him practice tonight as he downplayed his headaches. I should have listened to my gut, but this is my first year as a football parent and I am still learning what to watch out for in serious injuries.
 
uptowndawg

uptowndawg

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Some of the hardest hittingest, snot slingingest, bull in the ring winningest kids I came up with are either dead from OD’s or incarcerated by doing dumb things the drugs made them do.

Proceed with this knowledge
 
1msucub

1msucub

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Oct 3, 2004
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I'm just a veterinarian, but I can't adequately stress to you how important it is for you to do exactly what Herbert suggested...ESPECIALLY at that age. I had significant head trauma from a blindside hit in 1989...knocked out, seeing flashing green lights....and went back in just a few plays later because, well, it was 1989. I've been paying for it in some degree ever since. Bury his helmet if you have to but get him out of there and get him seen.
 
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RocketDawg

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preacher_dawg said:
He said Tuesday at practice that he knocked in the head several times and has been complaining about headaches since then especially when he bends down. He said he had blurred vision eaelier today. He loves football and really wants to play on Saturday but I am concerned. This is his first year of playing football and he loves it, and wants to play through any small injuries, but I don't want it to be something to affect the rest of his life. Are there things I should be looking for in terms of a concussion? The coach set him out of practice on Wednesday but he practiced today when he said he was better, but is complaining about headaches again tonight.
Click to expand...
My 13-year old grandson has similar problems. He was injured by getting hit in the head with a lacrosse stick, I think maybe twice. He's a bit of a daredevil, but also inherited my klutziness, and those two are not a good combination. A few months ago he had a crash on his bicycle for going around a curve too fast, no helmet, and the result was another concussion and a gash in his forehead that required stitches. End result is that he can no longer participate in contact sports. He was out of school for a week. Overreaction? Maybe, but it pays to be cautious.

He loves swimming and is now back to competitive swimming, and has developed a love for golf.

So yes, according to his doctors and parents (and me), a concussion can be serious. I believe they said inability to concentrate and vision blurriness were a couple of the symptoms. Plus, not good to be on the computer much, especially playing computer games. And limited television.
 
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RocketDawg

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Crazy Cotton said:
Cognitive psychologist here - need to listen to this doc. Cognitive function is often overlooked as a symptom but can last weeks and I'd let school know because he may need an accommodation while he's working through this if it is a concussion. Concussions often influence memory formation, attentional capacity, emotion regulation and other abilities that are part of their school life.

Young people aren't great decision-makers already for a number of reasons and concussion exacerbates that problem - so he may not be telling his coach his symptoms, might try and get on the field even even if he isn't feeling right, etc. That coach needs to hear exactly what your son is telling you and understand what is going on because he may not know, and if he ignores that keep the kid away and let someone higher up the chain know.
Click to expand...
You are absolutely correct.
 
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TheDawg-Pound

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Herbert Nenninger said:
That includes no physical exertion until he’s symptom free. I’d also restrict mentally stressful or taxing activities, like video games or scary movies. I’ve held a few kids out of school before so they wouldn’t have to think hard. The brain literally needs to rest.
Click to expand...
This and the sooner he rests, the sooner it will resolve. You have to have him start back incrementally paying attention to how long he can go before symptoms start when that time comes. Hopefully the school or your doctor have a schedule that you can go by to help him progress back to playing but right now he needs mental rest. I wouldn't even let him be on the sideline of the game/practice if that gives him a headache.
You just have to sit him down and make sure he understands that he has to be completely honest and as I mentioned, it goes on longer if he goes back/pushes himself too soon.

I will add sometimes that takes another person/ doctor discussing this with your son for him to realize the seriousness of this and for them to be completely honest.
 
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MagnoliaHunter

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Herbert Nenninger said:
I’m a doctor. No freakin way I’d let him play.
Leg contusion, wrist sprain, viral infection, etc… suck it up buttercup.
Head injury with one single symptom of a concussion… I would consider not even letting him on the sideline if it’s hot or loud. That’s an actively developing brain that u can’t mess around with.
Click to expand...

The patient is a teenage boy so I'm not sure how active or developing his brain is, but seriously, get him to a doctor NOW.
 
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mstateglfr

mstateglfr

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Feb 24, 2008
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preacher_dawg said:
He said Tuesday at practice that he knocked in the head several times and has been complaining about headaches since then especially when he bends down. He said he had blurred vision eaelier today.
Click to expand...
Knocked in the head several times.
- headaches follow for multiple days.
- blurred vision for multiple days.
- pressure in the head because the body isnt able to properly adjust from simply bending down.

The only way this would be a more textbook case of a concussion would be if he was also throwing up.

The kid should be seen by a doctor, diagnosed, and if its a concussion then he should go to PT so they can measurably track progress and release him once his body has recovered.


Once he is recovered, introduce him to golf, basketball, volleyball, and tennis. Baseball too, if he lacks athleticism(kidding).
 
dawgstudent

dawgstudent

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mstateglfr said:
Knocked in the head several times.
- headaches follow for multiple days.
- blurred vision for multiple days.
- pressure in the head because the body isnt able to properly adjust from simply bending down.

The only way this would be a more textbook case of a concussion would be if he was also throwing up.

The kid should be seen by a doctor, diagnosed, and if its a concussion then he should go to PT so they can measurably track progress and release him once his body has recovered.


Once he is recovered, introduce him to golf, basketball, volleyball, and tennis. Baseball too, if he lacks athleticism(kidding).
Click to expand...
What about rollerblading?
 
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mstateglfr

mstateglfr

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dawgstudent said:
What about rollerblading?
Click to expand...
That kid needs to stay away from extreme sports. You might as well ask 'what about MMA?' or 'what about rugby'?
Do you even blade, bro? It is easily a top3 concussion sport.**

 
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L4Dawg

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preacher_dawg said:
He said Tuesday at practice that he knocked in the head several times and has been complaining about headaches since then especially when he bends down. He said he had blurred vision eaelier today. He loves football and really wants to play on Saturday but I am concerned. This is his first year of playing football and he loves it, and wants to play through any small injuries, but I don't want it to be something to affect the rest of his life. Are there things I should be looking for in terms of a concussion? The coach set him out of practice on Wednesday but he practiced today when he said he was better, but is complaining about headaches again tonight.
Click to expand...
Get him to a doctor, sooner rather than later. Recurring headaches and lingering blurred vision after a hit can be more than just a concussion. better safe than sorry with this kind of thing.
 
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DoggieDaddy13

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Dec 23, 2017
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Let us know what the doctor says. I hope he feels better and recovers quickly.

Hate it for him if he has to sit out or stop playing. But he's got to take care of his noggin.

Too many men are walking around with undiagnosed/diagnosed brain trauma.
 
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Arnold Babar.sixpack

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Aug 24, 2012
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Like others have said, get him to the doctor asap. Our son had a wipe out on an E Scooter 3 years ago when he was 11. No helmet, 25 mph, head slapped directly on the concrete (saw on ring camera). He was knocked clean out and was in and out for 10-15 minutes
Fractured skull, bleeding on the brain and an extreme concussion. He was in the Texas Children's NICU for a week.

3 Things: . We got him to the hospital immediately. Thank God for good doctors and thank God Texas Children's hospital being in our backyard.

Once he was released he had to go 6 months with no looking at phone, tablet or computer screens. Very limited TV time. Low light environments. No physical activity at all besides walking. 2 months of being out of school....etc. He went back for check ups constantly and was giving the all clear to play all sports again after a year. That being said, it was not an easy recovery for an active boy.

He has played tackle football and golf the last three years and has been fine. Getting them to the doctor immediately following the head trauma and doing exactly what the doctors tell you to do are so important.

I hope your son is ok.
 
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seshomoru

seshomoru

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Apr 24, 2006
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Not one single adult in his life stepped up to keep him out of practice after he had headaches and blurred vision? The dumbest rec ball coach who sped through the online concussion identification test wouldn't have allowed that kid back on the field until cleared by a doctor. Get his *** to a doctor immediately.
 
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