Handbook of Neurological Sports Medicine : Concussion and Other Nervous System Injuries in the Athlete

Handbook of Neurological Sports Medicine: Concussion and Other Nervous System Injuries in the Athlete presents techniques for diagnosis and treatment of head-related injuries to enable medical professionals to provide the best care possible. Authored by a respected team of neurosurgeons, including highly regarded concussion researcher Julian Bailes, this evidence-based reference offers expert guidelines for managing these serious injuries. A strong focus is placed on concussion due to the risk involved with this common injury. The text outlines how to recognize, assess, and treat concussions, preparing practitioners to calmly respond to athletes who are exhibiting signs of this dangerous condition. It also reviews the biomechanics and pathophysiology at the core of concussions to better understand their clinical presentations. Critical return-to-play guidelines and participation recommendations for patients with preexisting neurological conditions or structural lesions arm medical professionals with the principles needed for making appropriate decisions for athletes’ safety. The text explains the roles of pharmacological management, natural treatment approaches, rehabilitation strategies, and education. In addition, chapters provide coverage of postconcussion syndrome, subconcussion, and second-impact syndrome. Handbook of Neurological Sports Medicine also takes a look at other traumatic injuries, including injuries to the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, and the soft tissue and fascia within the spinal unit. It provides an overview of peripheral nervous system injuries to ensure medical professionals understand those serious and potentially career-ending issues, reviews facets of optimal response with suspected or proven spinal injury, and discusses the evaluation and management of athletes with non-concussion-related headaches and heat illness or heatstroke. The text includes additional features to address issues surrounding critical injuries: • Guidance on developing an action plan for athletic events prepares first responders for emergency situations. • A review of cases of interest provides examples of situations that can—and do—occur. • Medicolegal considerations educate practitioners about negligence, standard of care, and proximate cause. • More than 150 photos and illustrations offer visual support to further explain the injuries. The evaluation and management of sport-related neurological injuries have matured at an unprecedented rate. Handbook of Neurological Sports Medicine is a critical resource for all who encounter and treat neurological injuries, providing the foundation for the clinical decisions that all athletic medical practitioners must make to give their patients the best treatment possible. Continuing education credits and units may also be earned based on the subject matter in this book. Explore online CE course options in Human Kinetics’ Continuing Education store. Title Page Copyright Page Contributors Preface Acknowledgments Part I: General Concepts Chapter 1: Athletes and Neurological Injuries Chapter 2: Medicolegal Considerations in Neurological Sports Medicine Chapter 3: Having a Game Plan Part II: Spors-Related Head Injuries Chapter 4: Biomechanics, Pathophysiology, and Classification of Concussion Chapter 5: In the Trenches Chapter 6: Neuroimaging and Neurophysiological Studies in the Head-Injured Athlete Chapter 7: Neuropsychological Assessment in Concussion Chapter 8: Role of Balance Testing and Other Adjunct Measures in Concussion Chapter 9: Postconcussion Syndrome Chapter 10 : Neuropathology of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Chapter 11: The Emerging Role of Subconcussion Chapter 12: Severe Head Injury and Second Impact Syndrome Chapter 13: Neurological Considerations in Return to Sport Participation Chapter 14: The Role of Pharmacologic Therapy and Rehabilitation in Concussion Chapter 15: The Research Behind Natural Neuroprotective Approaches to Concussion Part III: Sport-Related Injuries of the SpIne and PerIpheral Nervous System Chapter 16: Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar Spine Injuries Chapter 17: Management of Spine Injuries, Including Rehabilitation, Surgical Considerations, and Return to Play Chapter 18: Peripheral Nerve Injuries in Athletes Part IV: Other Sports-Related Neurological Issues Chapter 19: Headaches in Athletics Chapter 20: Heat Illness in Sport Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C.1 Appendix C.2 Appendix D Index About the Authors Ad Athletes and neurological injuries : a view from 10,000 feet -- Medicolegal considerations in neurological sports medicine -- Having a game plan -- Biomechanics, pathophysiology, and classification of concussion -- In the trenches : acute evaluation and management of concussion -- Neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies in the head-injured athlete -- Neuropsychological assessment in concussion -- Role of balance testing and other adjunct measures in concussion -- Postconcussion syndrome -- Neuropathology of chronic traumatic encephalopathy -- The emerging role of subconcussion -- Severe head injury and second impact syndrome -- Neurological considerations in return to sport participation -- The role of pharmacologic therapy and rehabilitation in concussion -- The research behind natural neuroprotective approaches to concussion -- Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine injuries : types, causal mechanisms, and clinical features -- Management of spine injuries, including rehabilitation, surgical considerations, and return to play -- Peripheral nerve injuries in athletes -- Headaches in athletics -- Heat illness in sport Provides techniques for diagnosis and treatment of concussion and other injuries to the head, spine, and peripheral nervous system. This evidence-based reference bridges the gap between principles and practice to better manage these serious injuries.