Concussion Care Network
Through our Concussion Care Network, medical specialists from Midwest Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Alliance and Ascension can treat head injuries and concussions in both children and adults.
State law requires any child in an organized athletic program suspected of a concussion to be removed from play. To return to play, the child must be evaluated and cleared by a medical professional.
We provide baseline testing, concussion screening, follow-up care and guidance.
It’s important that a trained health care professional determine the severity of the concussion and when it is safe to return to sports.
Our team of physicians, physician assistants and certified athletic trainers has extensive training in concussion management and will manage concussion in the best, most comprehensive way possible.
By using a variety of clinical tools to assess the severity and progress of each injury, individualized recommendations are made for each patient’s treatment and return to activity.
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Concussion Signs & Symptoms
There are many signs or symptoms that a person may be concussed. Some of these symptoms may appear immediately while others may take time to emerge. Additionally, how long a symptom lasts depends largely on the individual.
The following are signs and symptoms of concussions. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms after a direct or indirect blow to the head, contact a concussion physician.
- Headache or pressure in head
- Loss of consciousness
- Dazed, stunned or confused
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Double or blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Problems remembering, concentrating or focusing
- Changes in personality or behavior
Concussion Services
The Concussion Care Network offers:
- SportGait testing
- Symptom score
- Balance testing
- Vestibular screening
- Neurocognitive testing
- Vision screening
- Neurological exam
Most concussions resolve in a reasonable amount of time. Should you or your child’s injury persist, we will draw on the expertise of our team, consisting of primary care, neurology, neuropsychology, sports medicine and vestibular therapy.
Midwest Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Alliance concussion specialists recommend that all athletes, especially those involved in contact sports, complete a computerized neurocognitive test using the SportGait system before their sports season starts to establish a baseline.
The baseline can then be compared to a post-concussion test should the athlete suffer a head injury during their season. Comparing the baseline and post-concussion scores allows schools, teams and health care providers to determine the athlete’s ability to return to school and athletic participation.
Baseline Testing
Baseline testing is recommended for athletes above age 10 and participating in contact sports.
In the event of a concussion, the brain needs rest from sports and school in order to heal. It is never safe to return to play if an athlete is experiencing any symptoms of a concussion.
Even if an athlete has not received a baseline test, he or she can still take the SportGait test post-concussion due to its ability to assess severity of concussion and determine when it’s safe for them to return to play.
SportGait Concussion Testing
Midwest Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Alliance utilizes the SportGait system, which employs computerized neurocognitive assessment tools to assist in determining an athlete’s ability to return to play after suffering a concussion.
The SportGait concussion testing system is the most widely used, computer-based testing program in the world and is implemented across high school, collegiate and professional level sports, including the NFL.
The SportGait program measures multiple aspects of cognitive functioning in athletes, including:
- Attention span
- Working memory
- Sustained and selective attention time
- Response variability
- Non-verbal problem solving
- Reaction time
- Balance testing – Gait pattern
SportGait test features:
- Measures player symptoms
- Measures verbal and visual memory, processing speed and reaction time
- Reaction time measured to a 1/100th of a second
- Assists clinicians and athletic trainers in making difficult return-to-play decisions
- Provides reliable baseline test information
- Produces a comprehensive report of test results
- Results are presented as a PDF file and can be emailed
- Automatically stores data from repeat testing
- Testing is administered online for individuals or groups
- Baseline testing
- Impact testing
Schedule Your Concussion Care Appointment Today
To request an appointment for a concussion screening or treatment, contact Midwest Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Alliance today at 414-384-6700. Our concussion care specialists in Southeastern Wisconsin will evaluate your condition and recommend the most appropriate care plan.