Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS)

Dr Ozello's Sports Medicine Report: Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS)

Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS)
Symptoms persisting for a few weeks to more than six months after a concussion are defined as Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS).

Mechanism of Injury of Concussion
Direct blow to head or uncontrolled neck motion.Usually accompanies cervical spine trauma and injury. Cervical injuries and concussion can share similar mechanisms and nearly identical symptoms or causes.

Cervical spine involvement in Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is supported by increasing evidence and is widely accepted clinically.

Cervical injuries and concussion can share similar mechanisms and nearly identical symptoms or causes. Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is often related to musculoskeletal pathology.

Transmission of forces to the head during a concussion may result in trauma to cervical spine. Axial loading, hyperflexion and hyperextension of cervical spine are the most frequently reported mechanisms of injury to cervical spine associated with sports such as football, hockey & wrestling.

Treatment of mTBIs: Relevant studies showed interesting results about manual therapy & exercises as efficient tools for health care practitioners.

Whiplash: Mechanism of acceleration-deceleration transferred to the cervical spine. During whiplash, cervical structures are stressed at their end ranges of motion which can lead to neck injuries.
Stresses may lead to injuries to cervical bones and soft tissues.
Whiplash symptoms include neck pain, headaches, memory issues, concentration disturbances, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, dizziness, fatigue and cervical ROM restrictions. Symptoms are similar to those for mTBI. Recent studies correlated mTBI with whiplash occurrence.

Following whiplash, the cervical spine is often the source of symptoms.
The neck received the transmitted force of the impact and the same acceleration-deceleration mechanism that produces mTBI.
During the whiplash, the cause of cervicogenic and brain induced symptoms could be caused by either the mTBI or cervical spine involvement or both.

Signs and symptoms such as decreased cervical spine range of motion, muscle tenderness, headaches, stiffness and radicular symptoms have been reported to occur post-concussion.

Most cervicogenic symptoms have been attributed to injury or impairment of the upper cervical spine (C1–C3).

Initial rest is important for the return of cognitive function and symptom resolution, then an integrated approach may accelerate symptom resolution and return to activity.

In patients with cervical spine conditions and posttraumatic headache, the most effective treatment strategies are avoiding immobilization, resuming work & undergoing comprehensive treatments.

Cervical manipulations, cryotherapy, thermotherapy, soft tissue massage, passive stretching and exercise are effective interventions for patients with cervical injury.

***Disclaimer: Viewing this video does not take the place of seeing a medical professional or working with a fitness professional. Please visit a medical professional for evaluation, diagnosis & treatment. Please work with a fitness professional to learn proper exercise technique & to develop a proper training program. Never perform an exercise that elicits or intensifies symptoms. If an exercise elicits or intensifies symptoms, stop immediately and use a viable substitute.

Dr Donald A Ozello DC of Championship Chiropractic in Las Vegas, NV
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References
Cervical Spine Involvement in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

Cervical Injury Assessments for Concussion Evaluation: A Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

Chiropractic Management of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in a 14-Year-Old Hockey Player With Post Concussion Symptoms: A Case Report https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

Management of persistent postconcussion symptoms in youth: a randomised control trial protocol https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

CHARACTERIZATION OF CERVICAL SPINE IMPAIRMENTS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS POST-CONCUSSION https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...