DEFEND THE CROWN
CDM'S CONCUSSION PROTOCOL
The Defend the Crown concussion management plan and protocols were established in February of 2012 and are intended to serve as a standardized method of assessment to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management for the injured student-athlete following a sports concussion.
Under the initial direction of Dr. David Kruse, M.D., this management plan seeks to provide an institutional approach to the care of a student athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion. Defend the Crown establishes critical paths of communication between physicians, sports medicine staff, coaches and athletic administration concerning the care of the student-athlete.
Through this plan, our medical staff will be able to expedite initial care, follow-up treatment, appropriate referral of illnesses and injures to specialists, and coordinate insurance benefits, effectively establishing the appropriate medical treatment of student-athletes for an expedient and safe return to participation in lacrosse.
Additionally, the medical staff will coordinate all academic accommodations with the school nurse to assure the student-athlete can effectively recover without academic issues or penalty.
Ultimately, the team medical staff, working with a specific medical doctor associated with the student-athlete, and according to the Defend the Crown concussion management plan and Return to Play Protocol, shall determine the final medical clearance for return to full contact.
CDM Lacrosse Defend The Crown Medical Staff
Dr. David Kruse, M.D.
Orthopaedic Specialty Institute
Patrick Everett, PT, DPT, ATCC, MSAT
Head Athletics Trainer, Boys Lacrosse
Cuirim Sports Recovery
Stephen Rivas, ATC
CDM Head Athletics Trainer
Newport Orthopedic Institute
If you have reason to believe your son may have suffered a concussive head injury, please see the post-concussion care information below.
Post-Concussion Care Information
Common head injuries often cause brief periods of being stunned or brief periods of unconsciousness. Be aware that signs and symptoms of a head injury may appear later, sometimes even several days after the initial injury occurred. Your attention to your child’s behavior over the next few days is of the utmost importance.
As a responsible adult, you should stay with your child for the first 24 hours. As you observe, look for signs of headache, mild visual disturbances, dizziness, unusual feelings, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, memory loss or change in behavior.
Call your doctor or take your child to an emergency medical facility immediately if his behavior appears to be abnormal or any of the following occurs:
• Short term memory loss.
• Cannot be awakened.
• Has convulsions or seizures.
• Vomits repeatedly.
• Has a severe headache or neck ache.
• Obvious personality changes.
• Stumbling and lack or coordination.
• Weakness in the arms or legs.
• Ringing in the ears and intolerance of loud noises.
• Blurred vision or difficulty in focusing vision and intolerance of bright lights.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN OR NSAID (ANTI-INFLAMMATORY) CONTAINING PRODUCTS, AS IT MAY PROMOTE BLEEDING. MEDICATIONS SHOULD ONLY BE GIVEN AFTER CONSULTING A PHYSICIAN. TYLENOL IS OKAY TO HELP MANAGE DISCOMFORT. MAKE SURE IT IS FOR HEADACHE ONLY. YOU DO NOT WANT IT MASKING ANY OTHER SYMPTOMS.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Patrick Everett at 443 797-2766.