Timely Facts About Fall Sports Head Injuries

From Little League to the NFL, traumatic brain injuries are increasingly of concern in all levels of athletics. Highlighted below, recent statistics shed light on the scope of the problem:

Injuries On the Rise

Traumatic brain injuries have plagued athletes for decades, but all signs point to an increase in prevalence. Data from the High School Reporting Information Online injury surveillance system indicates that participation in main high school athletic categories increased 1.04 fold between 2005 and 2015; meanwhile, concussions in these sports increased a shocking 2.2 fold.

Not Just Football

When most people think about sport-related brain injuries, they picture NFL athletes. While it’s true that high-level football prompts its fair share of life-threatening (or life-ending) injuries, it is by no means the only sport capable of causing damage.

Concerning research presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons indicates that female soccer players face by far the highest concussion rate in high school sports. Baseball, volleyball, and lacrosse also prompt a concerning number of concussions.

Undetected Concussions

TBI is arguably most dangerous when it goes undetected; athletes who are completely unaware of their injuries may continue to approach athletics in a way that leaves them vulnerable to re-injury. According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, approximately half of all traumatic brain injuries go undetected or unreported.

Future RiskAAOS site

A single concussion places athletes at far greater risk for future injuries. Additionally, those who have suffered multiple concussions typically take longer to recover. While secondary concussions frequently occur within ten days of the initial injury, they can also take place years later.

Regan Zambri Long PLLC is a trusted name in personal injury law. Get in touch today to learn how we can assist you with your current legal concerns.