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Men's Artistic Gymnastics
My 14 yr old DS is a first year level 9. Almost two weeks ago at a competition he peeled on his highbar dismount and landed on his head. Freak accident. After assement, we admitted him to the ER. CT and MRI were taken and came back clear of any fractures to the spine. It was diagnosed as spinal trama. He also come back positive for a concussion. He stayed under observation for 24 hours while his symptoms of tingling and numbness were reduced. He was released the next day to rest at home. ASAP we contacted a sports Dr. with experience in gymnastics and related injuries. We are following the instructions guidence give to us by the Dr. Rest, rest, and more rest. My son seems to be recovering well. It is assumed that he will return to practice slowly maybe next week. Dr.'s clearence of course. His coach is asking and pushing our son to return sooner to stretch and start light training. We have had the Dr. contact our coach to explain the situation, but I fear that our coach is treating this injury respectfully. Regardless of coaches request, we are following the Dr.'s experience and recommendations. Has anyone else out there delt with returning to training after a concussion?
 
He had spinal trauma and a concussion and you expect he will be at practice next week?? Are all of his concussion symptoms gone already? If you are following the typical protocol, return to normal activities, and then to sports, is VERY slow. As in, try one thing one day - if any problems, return to previous step. This is a long process.
 
Don't get me wrong, we aren't taking this lightly. Our doctor is one of the Men's Program National Team Doctors. We are taking every precaution necessary. I was curious if anyone in the forum has had a similar experience and could share advice on how they delt with their return to training. I know every experience is different and is case by case.
 
My daughter got a concussion in PE class - not even a bad one. It took a few weeks to get back to normal and then back in the gym. I've had friends whose kids have been limited in their activities and could only handle part of the school day - for months. So, indeed, it's a case by case basis.
 
My son had a very bad concussion (not gym related) several years ago and it was more than 2 weeks before he could return to school.
It was almost a month before he could return to any sports/gym/recess and several months before he could return to activities where there was a high likelihood of a second concussion.

Second impact syndrome is very scary and can lead to permanent brain issues.
 
So... four days before our first meet this season, October 28 to be exact, one of the gymnasts comes in with a black eye. Her mom tells HC that she has a concussion. She won't be at practice until she is cleared by the doctor. She won't be going to school (where it happened) either until AT least the next week. Right before Thanksgiving, she came to practice, but didn't even make it through warm up. At the team Christmas party, I found out that she hadn't even returned to school full-time yet (her mom had to pick her up at lunch on those days she DID attend). The doctor decided no electronics, no reading, no TV, no NOTHING until she is better. It is now the end of February, and she is STILL not able to practice (but she can manage *most* of the school day... she spends about an hour in the nurse's clinic laying down with the lights off).
Her neurologist said that this is the most extreme case he has seen from a relatively minor incident, so it is NOT typical! Just an example of how long it CAN take to recover from a concussion.
 
My younger DD got a concussion mid-December at school. Luckily it was 3 days prior to winter break so she did not have school until January. She spent the first week doing absolutely nothing - no reading, computer, TV, playing outside, etc. she was miserable. After 10 days, she was allowed to watch a little TV but still could not read. The doctor cleared her to begin school about 3 weeks after the concussion and after 2 days of school going well, she began the protocol to re-enter the gym. The concussion specialist basically printed out the USA Gymnastics protocol for return to play. It took about 8 weeks from the time of the concussion before she was fully cleared. A teammate was out almost 4 months but had much more difficulty with post concussion syndrome. Another teammate did come back and start training 2 weeks after a concussion but it was mild. Follow the doctor's recommendations on this one. Post concussion syndrome is very real and I have friends whose children have still suffered 6+ months after the accident.
 
DS 14 had a concussion this November. No other trauma other than minor skull fracture. (not gym related - slipping on ice feeding chickens related).

2 weeks of full brain and body rest - no reading, no violin, etc....definitely no physical stuff - per doctor, concussion specialist and later PT. About 3 weeks in he was allowed to ease back into LIGHT academics for 15 minutes every couple of hours. Was cleared to go back to light work at gym 6 weeks after injury - we cheated a very small amount and he did conditioning and stretching a few days before the 2 week winter break ( our gym moved buildings so 2 weeks of his time off were time off for everyone). SO basically no gym for 2-4 weeks then very light for another 2. I am a pediatrician, and clear kids back to sports after concussions often, following standard protocal, but I had him see others and a Physical therapist with expertise in vestibular function because he tested "normal" on standard stuff but still felt very off for a gymnast.

On a side note, we are instituting standard pre-injury impact testing at my kids gym this spring, so that there will be a standard to hold to for return to gym - this is the standard of care now for concussion prone sports such as soccer/football, skiing, etc. Obviously with the possible second injuries so much more severe in gym, even though the number of kids involved may be low, a standard would be useful.

DS is not having quite the season he had hoped because he did lose some strength and skills with so much time off right before comp. season. But his brain seems to be ok, and he's almost back where he was. Obviously well worth the lower scores this year!!! And he'll still be in good shape to move up to L8 - rather than in the hospital with a second, more serious injury. He actually lost more academically and with his violin....
 
Thank you for your experience in this area. Like I mentioned we are under the care of one of the best concussion specialists in the country and he happens to be on the medical staff for USA-Gymnastics. My son is very frustrated that he cannot do simple tasks like reading or writing for more that 10 min. His sleep pattern is way off too. Season is the last thing on his mind. It is tough for him to replace training 25 hours a week to doing almost nothing. He misses his friends and training.
 
I can't imagine CalEliteCoach. It is hard enough when they can still keep up with their other activities. But he can do nothing. I hope his recovery is complete and he is back at it soon!
 
I feel bad for your guy. I hope he recovers fully soon. It's so frustrating because there just is no timeline for this sort of thing.
 
Yep the doing nothing was the worst for my son - his doctor told him "if its not boring you can't do it right now" and yes, sleep, mood were a mess (of course he's 14 so mood is already a mess).
It does pass, though and with proper patience on everyone's part it will all be behind him - maybe in weeks, maybe in months -

I wish your DS the best of luck - He's not alone!!
 

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