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Concussions in Athletics pp 3–17Cite as

Consequences of Ignorance and Arrogance for Mismanagement of Sports-Related Concussions: Short- and Long-Term Complications

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Abstract

The major objective of this chapter is to provide insights on short- and, most importantly, long-term complications from mismanagement of sports-related concussions. There is an increasing body of neuroscience literature and available data on clinical practice indicating the dangers of long-term brain dysfunction grounded on metabolic and structural deficits in the concussed brain. Although the exact mechanisms of these neurological events still remain to be elucidated, the medical professionals in charge of concussed individuals have to be knowledgeable about epidemiology, pathophysiology, and current developments regarding evaluation, diagnostic imaging, management principles, complications, and prevention strategies. Clearly, both short- and long-term consequences of a single episode or multiple subconcussive blows should not be overlooked while assessing injured athletes. There are several myths about concussion that we clarify in our final statements of this chapter, emphasizing current controversies and discrepancies between basic brain science and clinical management of sports-related concussions.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge all of the collaborative efforts that have made this work possible, including the faculty and staff at the Boston University School of Medicine Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, the Dr. Robert C. Cantu Concussion Center at Emerson Hospital, the Concussion Legacy Foundation, and all of the patients, brain donors, and donor families.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Emerson Hospital, Concord, MA, USA

    Robert C. Cantu

  2. Concussion Legacy Foundation, Boston, MA, USA

    Robert C. Cantu

  3. Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Centers, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Robert C. Cantu & Madeline Uretsky

  4. Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Robert C. Cantu

  5. Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Madeline Uretsky

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  1. Robert C. Cantu
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  2. Madeline Uretsky
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Correspondence to Robert C. Cantu .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Kinesiology and Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    Semyon M. Slobounov

  2. Department of Orthopedics, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA

    Wayne J. Sebastianelli

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Cantu, R.C., Uretsky, M. (2021). Consequences of Ignorance and Arrogance for Mismanagement of Sports-Related Concussions: Short- and Long-Term Complications. In: Slobounov, S.M., Sebastianelli, W.J. (eds) Concussions in Athletics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75564-5_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75564-5_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-75563-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-75564-5

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