Athletic Training

THE FACTS

· A concussion is a brain injury.
· All concussions are serious.
· Concussions can occur without loss of consciousness.
· Concussions can occur in any sport.
· Recognition and proper management of concussions when they first occur can help prevent further injury or even death.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.
Health care professionals may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. Even so, their effects can be serious.

SIGNS OBSERVED BY COACHING STAFF              

• Appears dazed or stunned                                        
• Is confused about assignment or position                  
• Forgets an instruction                                              
• Is unsure of game, score, or opponent                     
• Moves clumsily                                                        
• Answers questions slowly                                         
• Loses consciousness (even briefly)                           
• Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes           
• Can’t recall events prior to hit or fall                         
• Can’t recall events after hit or fall                            

SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY ATHLETE

• Headache or “pressure” in head 
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness  
• Double or blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
• Concentration or memory problems
• Confusion 
• Just “not feeling right” or “feeling down

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WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN A CONCUSSION IS SUSPECTED?
No matter whether the athlete is a key member of the team or the game is about to end, an athlete with a suspected concussion should be immediately removed from play. To help you know how to respond, follow the Heads Up four-step action plan:

1. REMOVE THE ATHLETE FROM PLAY. Look for signs and symptoms of a concussion if your athlete has experienced a bump or blow to the head or body. When in doubt, sit them out!

2. ENSURE THAT THE ATHLETE IS EVALUATED BY AN APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself. Health care professionals have a number of methods that they can use to assess the severity of concussions. As a coach, recording the following information can help health care professionals in assessing the athlete after the injury: Cause of the injury and force of the hit or blow to the head or body

• · Any loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out) and if so, for how long
• · Any memory loss immediately following the injury
• · Any seizures immediately following the injury
• · Number of previous concussions (if any)

3. INFORM THE ATHLETE’S PARENTS OR GUARDIANS. Let them know about the possible concussion and give them the Heads Up fact sheet for parents. This fact sheet can help parents monitor the athlete for signs or symptoms that appear or get worse once the athlete is at home or returns to school.

4. KEEP THE ATHLETE OUT OF PLAY. An athlete should be removed from play the day of the injury and until an appropriate health care professional says they are symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play. After you remove an athlete with a suspected concussion from practice or play, the decision about return to practice or play is a medical decision


REFERENCES 1. Lovell MR, Collins MW, Iverson GL, Johnston KM, Bradley JP. Grade 1 or “ding” concussions in high school athletes. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 2004; 32(1):47-54. 2. Institute of Medicine (US). Is soccer bad for children’s heads? Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington (DC): National Academies Press; 2002. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sports-related recurrent brain injuries-United States. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1997; 46(10):224-227. Available at: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00046702.htm.

Directions for finding the
Student Athlete and Parent Guardian Concussion Statement Form 
 
1. Go to the Montana High School Association Website 
2. Click on Sports Medicine Tab (top center of the website)
3. Form is located under the heading "Concussions"
 
This form must be signed by both the athlete and parent before participation in a sport.
 
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Billings Senior's Return to Sport after a concussion Protocol
 
1. Athlete/Coach/Parent report to the athletic trainer that the athlete has a suspected concussion.

2. The athletic trainer does a medical evaluation including referral to a physician. She also informs all the athletes teachers that the athlete has a concussion based on the evaluation.

3. The Athlete sees a physician for clearance to start the Return to Sport Protocol and to set any academic accommodations. 
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4. Athlete must be symptom free before activity is allowed. This may take a couple days to a couple weeks before it is safe to start activity.
 
5. The athlete must take ImPact and have a score back to baseline. The athlete can take the test as often as the physician directs.
 
Return to Sport Activity Progression 
 
*Day 1 involves an easy jog or bike ride. We usually have the athlete jog a mile around the track or bike for 20 minutes inside. If no symptoms we progress to day 2, but if symptomatic we wait 24 hours and repeat day 1. If the athlete has symptoms on a second attempt then they are referred back to the physician. 
 
*Day 2 involves a cardio workout lead by the athletic trainer. This involves a 15 minute workout of sprinting and aerobic exercises. If no symptoms we progress to day 3 but if symptomatic we wait 24 hours and repeat.
 
*Day 3 involves participation in non contact practice. The athlete may participate in drills, but no live scrimmages or contact. If no symptoms we progress to day 4, but if symptomatic we wait 24 hours and repeat.
 
*Day 4 involves participation in full practice activities.
 
*Day 5 is clearance for full participation in games. 
 

Top 10 Common Injuries

1. Sprains: This is an acute injury to the ligaments in the body. This is an acute injury resulting in pain, swelling, bruising and a decrease in range of motion. An example is an Ankle sprain

      a. Treatment: REST, ICE, COMPRESSION, ELEVATION initially. If the pain is still persistent then see an athletic trainer or a physician

2. Strains: This is an injury to the muscles in the body. It is usually from an explosive movement resulting in pain, swelling, bruising and a decrease in range of motion. An example is a hamstring strain.
     
 a. Treatment: REST, ICE, COMPRESSION, ELEVATION initially. If the pain is still persistent then see an athletic trainer or a physician

3. Abrasions: This is the result from a fall on a hard surface and the skin is rubbed off. There is a potential for bleeding
     
 a. Treatment: Clean the scratched area with soap and water, apply a bandage covering and ice to help with pain. Be on the lookout for infection. If concerned about infection or the severity of the abrasion please see an athletic trainer or a physician.

4. Blisters: These are very common in athletics, often due to new shoes or really old shoes. Blisters are fluid filled sacs on the surface of the skin, usually on the hands and/or feet. They are a result of friction.
      
a. Treatment: use padding such as a Band-Aid or blister pads. Change your socks often and allow your feet to dry out after activity. Avoid popping the blisters. The popping of a blister increases the chance of getting an infection. If the blister is painful, blood filled or you are concerned about an infection please see an athletic trainer or a physician.

5. Fractures: This is a broken bone. This can happen anywhere in the body. Common breaks in football are the ankle, clavicle in the shoulder and fingers. These are usually painful and prevent the athlete from continuing to play.
      
a. Treatment: These need to be treated emergently if there is a bone sticking through the skin and loss of feeling in the hands or fingers from the bone splinters injuring the nerves. Please call the athletic trainer at the field or physician. These need to be treated at an emergency room where an x-ray will be taken. Non-emergent fractures need to be seen by a primary care doctor or a walk-in clinic where an x-ray will be obtained to determine the next steps in care. The best transportation of a fracture is to splint the broken body part against another part of the body. Example: a broken arm can be splinted across the athlete’s stomach or a broken finger can be splinted next to another finger. Apply ice.


6. Knee Pain: This is common in young athletes. There are multiple causes of knee pain such as tight muscle, falling on the ground, getting tackled around the knees, growing, and improper shoes. This can be painful and/or annoying
      
a. Treatment: Warm-up really well before activity. Stretch after activity followed by icing your knees. If pain is persistent and increasing; see an athletic trainer or a physician.

7. Muscle Cramps: This is when you experience a sudden, tight and intense spasm like pain in a muscle. Often the muscle will not relax.
    
  a. Treatment: Stretch and move the muscle until it relaxes. Hydration is also key in preventing muscle cramps. If pain is persistent and increasing; see an athletic trainer or a physician.

8. Low Leg pain. This is also referred to as shin splints. This is a generalized leg pain resulting from cumulative stressors.
      
a. Treatment: ICE and more ice after activity. If pain is persistent and increasing; see an athletic trainer or a physician.

9. Plantar Fasciitis: This is pain in the bottom of the foot specifically along the arch of the foot. It is more severe in the morning.
    
  a. Treatment: Stretching your arch by either pulling your toes backwards or rolling your arch on a tennis ball. Icing a lot also helps.

Good supportive shoes help to decrease symptoms. If pain is persistent and increasing; see an athletic trainer or a physician.

10. Tendonitis: This is an overuse injury where the tendons in your body become inflamed and sore. Example: Achilles tendonitis.
      
​a. Treatment: Warm-up really well before activity. Stretch after activity followed by icing. If pain is persistent and increasing; see an athletic trainer or a physician.

​Mrs. Stacy Molt

Hello all,
I am your Senior High Athletic Trainer! I have been at Senior since August of 2012. I am a native Montanan who grew up just down the road from Billings in Park City. I went to college at Montana State University (GO CATS!) for my undergraduate degree in Exercise Science followed by my masters degree in Athletic Training from Montana State University Billings. I worked a year as an athletic trainer with Montana State in Bozeman before I came to Senior. I am employed by Ortho Montana and AMP who contract me to Senior. I enjoy spending time with my husband and my two boys –Trent & Caleb along with being crafty. I look forward to working with all of you as you play sports for Senior. GO BRONCS!!

Ms. Marion Blackman

 

Marion is a Montana native who has spent the last 25 years at Laurel High School as an athletic trainer. Her first job as an athletic trainer was at Senior with Dan Bartsch a few years ago. She is ready to be back and help athletes at Billings Senior.