Sports Medicine Program Concussion Clinic
The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Sports Medicine Program now offers a concussion clinic for athletes who have suffered head injuries from accidents, sports or other activities.
The clinic is designed to address the specific needs of middle school, high school or elite athletes. The focus will be on education and prevention as well as accurate assessment, recovery and facilitating a safe return to activities.
Board-certified Pediatric Staff
- Sports medicine doctors—pediatricians with additional training in sports medicine.
- Clinical neuropsychologists—a psychologist with training and experience in understanding brain-behavior relationships.
- Certified athletic trainers—healthcare professionals who specialize in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity; work under the direction of a licensed physician.
- Neurologists—doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system diseases.
- Neurosurgeons—doctors who specialize in surgery on the nervous system.
- Physiatrists (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation)—physicians who specialize in treating neurological, musculoskeletal and functional problems.
In the News
- More Than a Bump on the Head
David Marshall, M.D., Medical Director, Children’s Sports Medicine program, and Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Stacey Woodrome, Ph.D., contribute an article to Fit Atlanta about the Children’s Concussion Clinic. |
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- Concussion Clinic Featured
Dr. David Marshall talks to WXIA-TV about Children's Concussion Clinic and how it helps care for young athletes. |
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Comprehensive Care
When an athlete is referred to the clinic for a possible concussion, he will be initially cared for by a sports medicine doctor. This will include a thorough medical history and physical exam, including nervous system tests. Further diagnostic testing, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for teenagers and children, will be performed, if necessary.
Following the initial visit, the athlete will meet with our clinical neuropsychologist for further education about potential cognitive, mood and behavioral symptoms that are associated with concussion and the management of those symptoms. The need for a more comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation or counseling also will be discussed. This can be arranged on an outpatient basis through the Children’s Neuropsychology department.
One of the assessment tools used will be Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT)TM, which is a 30- to 45-minute, computer-based evaluation that tests neurocognitive status, such as:
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Memory
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Processing speed
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Reaction time
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Problem solving
Based on continued symptoms and test results, ImPACT will be re-administered periodically to monitor an athlete’s recovery in these areas.
Prevention and Early Recognition
The Children’s Sports Medicine Concussion Clinic also will offer educational information for community coaches, schools, athletic trainers and sports clubs about early recognition of the signs and symptoms of concussions. In addition, individual advice will be given for preventative measures through equipment modification, technique and sport selection.
A preconcussion ImPACT test also is offered to establish baseline cognitive functioning to keep in the athlete’s file. This baseline can be compared to post-concussion testing if the athlete suffers a head injury later.
Call 404-785-5998 for questions related to concussions or to refer an athlete for concussion clinic services.