As fall sports return, student-athletes across Middle Tennessee are back on the field, court, and gym, competing, practicing, and representing their schools. With the excitement of a new season comes an increased risk of injury—including concussions. Whether it’s a collision on the soccer field, a tackle under the Friday night lights, a fall during volleyball, or an impact during cheer practice, recognizing a concussion and seeking the right care can make all the difference.
Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee is committed to helping student-athletes stay healthy throughout the season and serves as a trusted resource for families navigating sports-related injuries. Through partnerships with local schools, Bone and Joint provides physician coverage on the sidelines of Friday night football games and certified athletic trainers at many schools—all at no cost to the schools. Student-athletes and their families also have access to specialized concussion care close to home from sports medicine physicians who understand the unique impacts of athletics and the importance of protecting the developing brain.
Richard Gibson, MD, a board-certified sports medicine physician at Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, evaluates and manages concussions in athletes of all ages. To help student-athletes receive timely care, Dr. Gibson offers dedicated concussion appointment availability throughout the sports season. Whether an injury occurs during a game, practice, scrimmage, or individual training session, athletes with a suspected concussion should be evaluated before returning to sports.
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. While some concussions occur after a direct hit to the head, others happen when the force of an impact causes the brain to shift inside the skull. Because symptoms are not always immediate or obvious, every suspected concussion should be taken seriously.
Although football is often the first sport people associate with concussions, athletes in many sports are at risk. Soccer players may experience head-to-head contact, collisions with other players, or impacts while heading the ball. Volleyball athletes can suffer falls or collisions while diving for a ball, while cheerleaders are at risk during stunts and tumbling. Sports such as lacrosse, ice hockey, wrestling, and basketball also carry a risk of concussion. Any activity involving contact, speed, or the potential for falls can result in a head injury.
Knowing what to look for is one of the best ways parents, coaches, teammates, and athletes can help protect one another. Common concussion symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, blurred vision, sensitivity to light or noise, and balance issues. Reporting
symptoms to a coach, parent, athletic trainer, or physician immediately allows for early evaluation and helps ensure the appropriate care and recovery plan.
Recovery looks different for every athlete, and it’s important to allow the brain time to heal before returning to sports. Returning to play too soon can lead to a longer recovery or more serious complications. Following the guidance of a sports medicine physician helps ensure athletes return to the field safely and at the right time.
Through its partnerships with local schools and access to specialized sports medicine physicians, Bone and Joint is proud to support local athletes and families with the orthopaedic expertise and resources they need to compete safely throughout the season. If a concussion is suspected, don’t wait for symptoms to improve on their own. An evaluation by a sports medicine physician can help determine the appropriate next steps and when it’s safe to return to activity. For other sports injuries such as fractures, sprains, and other orthopaedic conditions, Bone and Joint’s providers are here to help athletes of all ages recover safely and return to the activities they enjoy.
To learn more about Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee’s sports medicine providers, visit https://boneandjointtn.org/specialties/sports-medicine/
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