Returning to play after a head injury during a sporting event

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Returning to play after a head injury during a sporting event

The American Academy of Neurology recommends the following guidelines for returning to play after a concussion sustained during a sporting event. The guidelines assume that the player has been evaluated by a doctor both right after the injury and again before returning to play. They are not intended to be used by the coaching staff.

**When to return to play after a concussion during a sporting event**
Grade of concussion	Number of concussions	Time until return to play
Grade 1 Brief confusion No loss of consciousness Symptoms of concussion that return to normal after less than 15 minutes	1	Same day
	2 or more	1 week
Grade 2 Brief confusion No loss of consciousness Symptoms of concussion that last longer than 15 minutes	1	1 week
	2 or more	2 weeks
Grade 3 Any loss of consciousness	1 brief (seconds)	1 week
	1 prolonged (minutes)	2 weeks
	More than 1	4 weeks or longer, based on decision of doctor

For more information, see the American Academy of Neurology Web site at www.thebrainmatters.org or the Brain Injury Association Web site at www.biausa.org.

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Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Updated	July 9, 2008

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Last updated:	July 09, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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