Clinical Guides
- Can Concussion Follow-Up Be Done by Telehealth? — Yes, most concussion follow-up visits can be done by telehealth. Learn what translates well to video, what needs in-person exam, and how to structure a hybrid protocol.
- How Do Baseline Concussion Testing Programs Work? — How baseline concussion testing programs work: what pre-season baselines measure, when they're used, and why post-injury comparison still needs clinical judgment.
- How Do Pediatric and Adult Concussion Protocols Differ? — Pediatric vs. adult concussion protocols differ in recovery timelines, return-to-learn emphasis, imaging rules, and monitoring needs. See the key clinical distinctions.
- How Do You Manage Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms? — Learn how to identify and manage persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) beyond the expected recovery window, with referral triggers and monitoring strategies.
- How Is Headache After Concussion Diagnosed and Managed? — Post-traumatic headache after concussion: how clinicians classify it by phenotype, first-line treatment, red flags, and when to refer to headache specialty care.
- How Is Sleep Dysfunction After Concussion Managed? — Learn how sleep dysfunction after concussion is assessed and managed, from sleep hygiene and CBT-I to melatonin and screening for comorbid sleep apnea.
- How Long Does Post-Concussion Recovery Take? Timeline for Adults and Kids — Post-concussion recovery timeline: most adults recover in 2-4 weeks, most kids in 4 weeks. See expected windows, risk factors, and when to escalate care.
- How Should You Screen for Depression After Traumatic Brain Injury? — Learn when and how to screen for depression after TBI, including PHQ-9 use, symptom-overlap pitfalls, and referral thresholds for concussion patients.
- Sideline vs. Clinic Concussion Assessment: What Is the Difference? — Sideline vs. clinic concussion assessment differ in timing, tools, and purpose — SCAT6 screens on-field, while SCOAT6 guides in-depth clinic follow-up.
- What Are the Return-to-Play Decision Criteria After a Concussion? — Return-to-play criteria after concussion: no same-day RTP, symptom-limited rest 24-48h, then a 6-step graduated protocol before contact sport clearance.
- What Belongs on a Clinician Concussion Symptom Checklist? — What should a clinician concussion symptom checklist include? A breakdown of symptom domains, timing, and red flags for follow-up visits.
- What Concussion Red Flags Warrant Imaging? — Learn the concussion red flags that warrant CT imaging, based on the Canadian CT Head Rule and PECARN criteria for adult and pediatric patients.
- What Does At-Home Vestibular Rehab Look Like After Concussion? — At-home vestibular rehab after concussion uses gaze stabilization, habituation, and balance exercises to reduce dizziness and speed return to sport.
- What Is a Return-to-Learn Protocol After a Concussion? — A return-to-learn protocol is the graduated, symptom-guided plan for getting a student back to full academic function after a concussion.
- What Is a Typical Concussion Follow-Up Schedule? — A typical concussion follow-up schedule: visits at 24-72 hours, ~1 week, and 2-4 weeks, with earlier or more frequent visits if symptoms persist.
- What Is Graded Exertion Testing After Concussion? — Graded exertion testing (e.g., Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test) identifies a patient's symptom-exacerbation heart-rate threshold to guide safe, individualized aerobic exercise after concussion.
- What Is Second Impact Syndrome and How Is It Prevented? — Second impact syndrome is rare, catastrophic brain swelling after a repeat head injury before concussion recovery. Learn its cause, prevention, and RTP rules.
- When Can a Patient Return to Work After a Concussion? — Return-to-work timing after concussion follows a graded, symptom-guided model—not a fixed date. See adult recovery windows and reintegration steps.
- When Should You Refer a Patient for Neuropsychological Testing? — Learn the clinical triggers for referring a concussion or TBI patient for formal neuropsychological testing, plus how it differs from baseline and bedside screens.
- Who Belongs on a Multidisciplinary Concussion Care Team? — Who belongs on a multidisciplinary concussion care team, when to refer to each discipline, and how to coordinate care for patients with persistent symptoms.