Frankenmuth Sports Medicine
Concussion Protocol
Baseline testing
Athletes will submit a current sports physical with completed medical history on or prior to the first day of their season.
During the preseason, a baseline NFL sideline concussion test or SCAT 5 baseline will be done on each at-risk student athlete by the medical staff, certified athletic trainer or student assistant under ATC’s observation. The baseline test will printed and securely stored in the athletic training room office. One baseline will be performed each school year unless the athlete sustains a concussion during that time frame.
The King-Devick baseline will also be taken during the preseason time. That information will be stored through the company's secure platform
Suspected Concussion
Concussion sustained at Frankenmuth High School or if ATC is traveling with the athlete
Recognition of a possible concussion will be made by the athlete, teammates, parents, coaches, officials or medical staff. ATC will be contacted immediately if not present.
Athlete will be removed from all activity. Athlete will be placed under observation for a time determined by the medical staff. Officials, coaches, parents and advanced medical personnel will be contacted based on the determination of the medical staff.
The appropriate records will be completed by the medical staff to record information based on the sustained injury.
The coach will remove the athlete from competition based on concussion like symptoms. They will not return to competition that day. The officials may be alerted to the injury under the coach’s discretion without medical evaluation and diagnosis.
The Concussion Assessment Tool will be completed by the athlete and coach or adult appointed by the coach. The home information sheet will be given to the athlete and adults caring for them.
The coach will contact the ATC after the contest, or at any point following the concussion. The health and safety of the athlete, advanced medical care, rides home, current and future surroundings will all be taken into consideration.
The coach and/ or ATC will follow up with the injured athlete.
Emergency Care of Concussion
RED FLAGS: • Neck pain or tenderness • Double vision • Weakness or tingling/ burning in arms or legs • Severe or increasing headache • Seizure or convulsion • Loss of consciousness • Deteriorating conscious state • Vomiting • Increasingly restless, agitated or combative
Any of the above would cause the coaching and medical staff to respond appropriately and to activate the emergency response system through 911, police or fire response on site or assistance from higher medical authorities present at the time.
Concussion Danger Signs
In rare cases, a dangerous collection of blood (hematoma) may form on the brain after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that may squeeze the brain against the skull. Call 9-1-1 right away, or take your child or teen to the emergency department if he or she has one or more of the following danger signs after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body:
Dangerous Signs & Symptoms of a Concussion
One pupil larger than the other.
Drowsiness or inability to wake up.
A headache that gets worse and does not go away.
Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination.
Repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures (shaking or twitching).
Unusual behavior, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.
Loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out). Even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously.
SCAT 5 CONCUSSION INFORMATION Any athlete suspected of having a concussion should be removed from play and seek medical evaluation.
Signs to watch for Problems could arise over the first 24-48 hours.
The athlete should not be left alone and must go to a hospital at once if they experience: • Worsening headache • Drowsiness or inability to be awakened • Inability to recognize people or places • Repeated vomiting • Unusual behaviour or confusion or irritable • Seizures (arms and legs jerk uncontrollably) • Weakness or numbness in arms or legs • Unsteadiness on their feet. • Slurred speech
Consult your physician or licensed healthcare professional after a suspected concussion. Remember, it is better to be safe.
Concussion Ruled out
If a concussion has been ruled out the athlete will perform activities to allow possible return to play under the direction of the Sports Medicine Team/ ATC. Parent/ Guardian permission will be necessary.
The King-Devick test will be implemented in addition to physical activity.
The coach will advise the game official that a concussion was not sustained before the athlete returns into a competition.
Athlete Placed in concussion protocol
Concussion has been assessed as highly likely by athletic training staff
The medical staff will care for the needs of the student athlete and will react appropriately based on the symptoms and signs observed.
The athlete will be informed that it is suspected they have sustained a concussion and will be removed from activity. They will not be allowed to return to play on that date.
Coaches, parents will be contacted. Advanced medical care will be called upon as needed.
Home information/ education will be given to the athlete and family.
The appropriate paperwork will be completed by the medical staff. A MHSAA report will be filed online.
A MHSAA Officials Report may be completed and filed by the officials of the contest. Appropriate communication with the officials will take place as necessary.
The athletic director will receive an incident report from the coaching or medical staff. The MHSAA online report is automatically linked to the AD.
King Devick Post-Concussion Testing
1. Turn on tablet by using the small button on one end2. Click on the icon for King-Devick in the top left corner3. Touch the search area (magnifying glass) in the upper left area of the screen4. Touch the blue box near the upper right – START POST INJURY TEST5. State the following to the athlete:a. Hold the tablet as you would a bookb. Read the screen as if you were reading a bookc. Read as fast as you feel comfortable without errorsd. You will see three screens with a break in between each onee. Do not touch the screen – only the coach will do that6. Take out the screening laminated paper and the dry erase marker. You will follow the numbers in the middle of the test paper, marking any errors as they go along7. Touch the screen and allow them to read to you. Touch the screen immediately after they finish.8. Repeat #7 until all three screens have been read.9. The program will indicate how they did compared to their baseline.10. Contact ATC with any concussion. See medical staff at the away event.
Return to School/ Return to Play
Return to School may require assistance from parents, teachers and administrators. Each situation should be dealt with on an individual basis. Privacy policies should be followed in the high school setting by allowing the parents to communicate with the teachers, unless a teacher is the coach of the athlete.
Exercise step . Functional exercise at each step . Goal of each step
1. Symptom limited activity.Daily activities that do not provoke symptoms.Gradual reintroduction of work/school activities.2. Light aerobic exercise. Walking or stationary cycling at slow to medium pace. No resistance training. Increase heart rate.3. Sport-specific exercise. Running or skating drills. No head impact activities. Add movement.4. Non-contact training drills. Harder training drills, e.g., passing drills. May start progressive resistance training. Exercise, coordination, and increased thinking.5. Full contact practice. Following medical clearance, participate in normal training activities. Restore confidence and assess functional skills by coaching staff.6. Return to play/sport. Normal game play
Education
Coaches must complete MHSAA guidelines for Concussion Education regularly as mandated by the state.
Athletes/ families must sign the concussion awareness form from the state.
U of M Coaching Education Course : Optional Coach education includes return to school
MHSAA Concussion Education Form : kept in student athlete school file
Concussion Insurance MHSAA
MHSAA offers insurance assistance for concussion's sustained in high school athletics
