Re: Shontayne Hape's Battle with Concussion : Sun Jun 01, 2014 7:33 pm  

4th Consensus statement on concussion in sport. Zurich, November 2012 Some background reading. Now had 4 conferences over the last 12 years. The RFL medical dept initially were light years ahead of other sports with Pitchside medical care and concussion diagnosis & management. But everyone else has caught up now (RU, American Football etc) and there have been cutbacks in the medical dept at the RFL - personnel as well as data management so just keeping pace now rather than being the pathfinders, which is a bit of a shame. Some choice bits : Protective equipment—mouthguards and helmets There is no good clinical evidence that currently available protective equipment will prevent concussion, although mouthguards have a definite role in preventing dental and orofacial injury. Which is why mouthguards are mandatory, but headgear is not. And this is why serial assessments are needed: "Concussion is often an evolving injury, and signs and symptoms may be delayed. Therefore, erring on the side of caution (keeping an athlete out of participation when there is any suspicion for injury) is important" It is often the 2nd injury which can have catastrophic effects.

4th Consensus statement on concussion in sport. Zurich, November 2012 Some background reading. Now had 4 conferences over the last 12 years. The RFL medical dept initially were light years ahead of other sports with Pitchside medical care and concussion diagnosis & management. But everyone else has caught up now (RU, American Football etc) and there have been cutbacks in the medical dept at the RFL - personnel as well as data management so just keeping pace now rather than being the pathfinders, which is a bit of a shame. Some choice bits : Protective equipment—mouthguards and helmets There is no good clinical evidence that currently available protective equipment will prevent concussion, although mouthguards have a definite role in preventing dental and orofacial injury. Which is why mouthguards are mandatory, but headgear is not. And this is why serial assessments are needed: "Concussion is often an evolving injury, and signs and symptoms may be delayed. Therefore, erring on the side of caution (keeping an athlete out of participation when there is any suspicion for injury) is important" It is often the 2nd injury which can have catastrophic effects.

Re: Shontayne Hape's Battle with Concussion : Mon Jun 02, 2014 2:44 pm  

It would be ideal to err on the side of caution.

However, if the suggestion is that players who have had a bang on the head, but are not showing any signs or symptoms whatsoever, will ALL be kept out of the squad just to be cautious and protect the small number of those who would otherwise get delayed onset, is never going to happen.

Unless the RFL make a rule that after X diagnosis you get a compulsory Y weeks stand-down, I expect the clubs will treat it as a precaution too far.

Incidentally I don't know of a case where a RL player has suffered catastrophic effects in such circumstances, but then I haven't looked. Has it ever happened?

Re: Shontayne Hape's Battle with Concussion : Tue Jun 03, 2014 11:29 am  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote: Has it ever happened? Unfortunately yes. Mainly at amateur level. This is the most local one that I know of. Silsden 2009

Ferocious Aardvark wrote: Has it ever happened? Unfortunately yes. Mainly at amateur level. This is the most local one that I know of. Silsden 2009

Re: Shontayne Hape's Battle with Concussion : Tue Jun 03, 2014 1:55 pm  

Might be a coincidence but noticed the AB's are resting their No 8 due to the effects of a concussion back in April.

The problem with these injuries is that their effects could take years to manifest themselves by which time the victims are out of the spot light.