Trends in Concussion Return-to-Play Timelines Among High School Athletes From 2007 Through 2009

Abstract

For high school athletes, RTP within the first 2 days after concussion was unlikely. After 1 week, the probability of return rose substantially (approximately 71%). Prognostic indicators are used to educate patients about the likely course of disease. Whereas individual symptoms and recovery times vary, prognostic time-to-event probabilities allow clinicians to provide coaches, parents, and athletes with a prediction of the likelihood of RTP within certain timeframes after a concussion.

What is the difference in concussion management in children as compared with adults? A systematic review

“…Fewer collegiate athletes (7%) had prolonged RTSp (>1 month) than youth (16%) or high school athletes (20%). McKeon117 found that 35% of high school students with concussion RTSp in 3–6 days, 71% in 7–9 days and 89% by 21 days. No comparison was made to adults or younger children.…”

Effectiveness of return to activity and return to school protocols for children postconcussion: a systematic review

“…Two summary statements provided evidence for the time between stages in RTA/RTS protocols,4 29 and one descriptive study reported the probability of complete RTA in adolescent athletes with concussion 30. The RTA/RTS protocols created by the CanChild group provide recommendations on the time between stages 25 31…”

“…Probability estimates predict successful RTP within 7 days after injury, but the times to RTP are highly variable between different strata including sex and age 29 30. A descriptive epidemiological study found the majority of high school athletes would return to play within 7–21 days after sustaining a concussion 30.…”

Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: Common Data Elements to Inform Diagnosis, Neuroimaging, and Outcome Metrics

“…49 Graded rehabilitation was found to expedite recovery along with vestibular rehabilitation, cognitive rehabilitation, physical therapy, and biofeedback therapy. 50 Given that up to 10% of pediatric patients have symptoms at 3 months 51 and given recent evidence that prolonged periods of reduced activity may delay recovery following mTBI, 27,[45][46][47][48][49][50]52,53 it may not be prudent or feasible to place pediatric patients on strict rest until all symptoms resolve.…”