Concussion Clinic

Concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that is caused by a sudden blow to the head or body. For every child and young athlete who has a suspected concussion, the Children’s Hospital of Michigan DMC offers a concussion clinic for kids including a comprehensive evaluation and individualized treatment plan by a multidisciplinary team of concussion experts.

Why Seek Care from a Concussion Clinic?

Whether your child suffered a concussion from football, sports injury or other blow to the head, when it comes to concussions, it is important to play it safe and have your injury assessed by an experienced team of experts. Most concussions cause minor and temporary symptoms, however in rare occasions, a blow to the head or body may cause a more serious head injury that involves brain damage or bleeding. Because it can be difficult for parents to distinguish between a minor injury and one that causes major damage, a proper evaluation and treatment is very important to manage the more common minor symptoms and maximize the best chance for a full recovery.

An untreated concussion can result in:

• Prolonged symptoms - This can lead to academic difficulties in school and delay an athlete from returning to play.
• Second impact syndrome - A condition that occurs when an athlete’s brain is still healing from a concussion, returns too early to a sport and sustains another blow to the head. This second blow can cause permanent brain damage (and in some cases, death).

Signs of concussion in a child include:

• Difficulty thinking clearly
• Feeling slowed down
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty remembering new information
• Headache
• Fuzzy or blurry vision
• Nausea or vomiting (early on)
• Dizziness and/or balance problems
• Sensitivity to noise or light
• Feeling tired, having no energy
• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Trouble falling asleep
• Changes in appetite

Come to the Child Concussion experts at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan

The concussion clinic offers a comprehensive team of experts who follow guidelines recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve care of children with concussions.

Specialists may include ambulatory care, neuropsychology, trauma/surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation and sports medicine. The clinic provides an individualized treatment plan designed specifically to meet your child's needs. The clinic offers diagnostic testing, evaluation, treatment and a return-to-play program for each participant so that those affected by a concussion can safely return to their activity as quickly and safely as possible. 

For further information on the concussion clinic call (313) 832 9366.