Inside Pediatrics Spring 2016

Concussion Clinic Brings Multidisciplinary Perspective Good Health

Sports medicine physician Sara Gould, M.D., likens the impact of a hit to the head to the effects of shaking a snow globe. The scene within is calm with every piece in place. But when that globe is shaken, snowflakes scatter hither and yon. Nothing is actually broken or damaged, but the chaos is there. The effect of that chaos on a young athlete’s brain varies from case to case, but some sort of functional disturbance is certain. That’s why the immediate diagnosis and treatment of concussion are crucial. “We can’t see any damage if we take pictures of the brain, but we know there’s a concussion

because of the athlete’s symptoms,” Gould said. “The tricky part is that symptoms can vary widely and may be subtle.” To facilitate quick diagnosis and appropriate management, Children’s of Alabama broadened its sports medicine coverage in 2011 by opening a specialized concussion clinic. Gould and James Johnston, M.D., serve as co-medical directors. The strength of the program lies in its unique interdisciplinary focus, which brings together a team of highly skilled athletic trainers, nurses, physicians and neuropsychologists to optimize the evaluation, treatment and medical clearance for return to play.

8