Should parents worry?

Should Parents Worry About Sports Injuries?

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February 16, 2009

Derek Ruth has spent the last 6 months relearning 13 years of lessons. The Malcolm junior high student's life was forever changed after he sustained a traumatic brain injury during a September football game.

Derek's mother, Jen, remembers that game well. "He came to the sidelines, knew the score of the game," said Ruth. "He was coherent; he knew a lot."

Moments later, Derek collapsed. Paramedics flew Derek to an area hospital and doctors determined the then 12-year-old sustained a brain injury. It was later determined Derek had two subdural hematomas, and doctors temporarily removed two pieces of his skull.

Derek has since had to relearn basic motor skills such as walking and talking. He continues therapy to regain use and control of his body.

"We don't know all of the reasons some individuals have what we call catastrophic major traumatic outcomes," said Dr. Lori Terryberry-Spohr, the Brain Injury Program Manager at the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln.

"In a more serious injury, often there's bleeding on the brain that completely kills out brain tissue. That's where we have to work to retrain other parts of the brain to pick up those skills or to rewire those skills so they can still be completed, but in a different way."

Terryberry-Spohr said injuries to the extent of Derek's are rare. Less severe head injuries such as concussions, she said, are not. Dr. Terryberry-Spohr cited research that suggests one out of every four high school athletes will experience a concussion during their high school career.

Most of those victims, she said, will recover wihtout complications as long as those people are not reinjured during their recovery. "We do believe," said Terryberry-Spohr, "if we can more accurately identify individuals that have had milder brain injuries or concussions on the field, then we can prevent more serious and catastrophic injuries."

Terryberry-Spohr also noted the benefits of children and teenagers participating in sports. "The benefits of physical activity are tremendous, we know that," she said. "Benefecial to cardiovascular systems and overall health. But we have to be able to do it safely."

Terryberry-Spohr said experts are focused on prevention in terms of having good equipment and well inflated helmets in addition to better identification of smaller injuries.

Jen Ruth, Derek's mother, has a message for parents concerned about their children participating in contact sports, as Derek was when he sustained his injury. "I don't think you can focus on, 'it was a football injury.' People have car accidents and other things, and you still drive."

Jen Ruth also believes the physical benefits Derek experienced while participating in sports are now helping him in his recovery. "The doctors have said being in good physical condition before, the muscle strength, coordination he had before, is just going to help him in the long run," said Ruth.

Ruth added that the same determination and focus Derek showed on the field are now his assets in rehabilitation. "I think there's a lot of good that comes out of sports, kids playing, being on teams, learning responsibility, a lot of good comes out of it," said Ruth. "You can't live your life afraid."

Terryberry-Spohr encourages parents, coaches and trainers to keep watch for the signs of a possible concussion. Warning signs include disorientation, balance difficulties, possible headache, dizzines and nauseua.

The Centers For Disease Control offer tool kits for athletes and adults. Each tool kit contains print-off cards listing the warning signs of concussion.