UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Concussions injure more than your head

Category: Orthopedics

Keywords: Concussions, musculoskeletal injury (PubMed Search)

Posted: 12/24/2016 by Brian Corwell, MD
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Significant associations were found between concussion and

Lateral ankle sprain (P = 0.012)

Knee injury (P = 0.002)

Lower extremity muscle injury (P = 0.031)

Keep in mind that 50 – 80% of concussions may go undiagnosed or unreported.

A discussion about risks of early return after concussion should include mention of risks beyond repeat head injury/2nd impact syndrome

Study limits: Retrospective design limits ability to establish causation/reporting bias

Gilbert, Burdette, et al., 2016 Association between concussion and lower extremity injuries in collegiate athletes. Sports Health 8 (6), 561-567.