Risk Modifiers for Concussion and Prolonged Recovery
A history of prior concussion is a risk factor for future concussion (>2x risk).
For individual sports, boxing has the highest risk.
For team sports, football, ice hockey and rugby have the highest risk.
Women’s soccer confers the highest risk for female athletes.
Younger age confers increased risk.
Female sex confers higher risk when comparing similar sports with similar rules.
Those with migraine headaches may be at increased risk.
Risk of prolonged concussion
Most athletes have symptom resolution within one week
Post traumatic amnesia (both retrograde and anterograde) predict increased number and longer duration of symptoms.
Younger age also predicts pronged recovery.
Other studies have found associations with headache lasting greater than 60 hours, fatigue, “fogginess,” or greater than 3 symptoms at initial presentation. Cognitive studies have identified deficits in visual memory and process speed as predictors of prolonged recovery.
References
Risk modifiers for concussion and prolonged recovery.
