Head Injury

What causes head injuries?

The head provides protection during normal movements and mild impacts. However, when the head is subjected to more force or pressure than it can handle, injuries to the soft tissue, skull, and/or brain may occur.

Head injuries occur most often after a child experiences a trauma to the head, such as a sudden impact during a sporting event or a fall that affects the head. Children may also sustain head injuries after car accidents or other incidents that move the head forcefully.

What are the symptoms of head injuries?

A child with a head injury may experience:

• Headache or pressure in the head
• Lumps or bruises on the head
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Light or noise sensitivity
• Loss of consciousness
• Behavioral or mood changes
• Seizures
• Amnesia
• Loss of coordination

Why are head injuries dangerous?

Head injuries that affect the brain can be serious and even fatal; those that cause bleeding or swelling in the brain require immediate treatment in the emergency room to prevent complications or death. Head injuries that cause a concussion should also be addressed promptly. It is important to talk with your primary care provider, school nurse, athletic trainer or the providers at SportsSafe if your child sustains a head injury. Patients with a concussion must avoid high-risk physical activities while the brain heals. Otherwise, a second, more serious brain injury may occur.

How does SportsSafe treat head injuries?

When a patient presents in the office with a head injury, the pediatric nurse practitioners at SportsSafe will collect information about the patient’s history and perform a physical exam and neurologic exam. They may also order other tests to determine the extent of the injury. With this information and test results, they will develop a customized treatment plan. The goal of treatment is to help the patient heal as quickly as possible while preventing further injury to the brain.

How long does it take to heal from a concussive head injury?

Most children heal from a concussive head injury within 2-4 weeks. However, every patient is unique. SportsSafe monitors patients carefully to ensure that they’ve healed completely before returning to physical activity. Before clearing a child to participate in physical activity, the nurse practitioners at SportsSafe will perform a series of examinations and tests to assure the child has healed.