EXPERTS TO DISCUSS LATEST IN CONCUSSION ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT
FOR YOUNG ATHLETES.

FIOS 1 News covered the concussion symposium

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New York’s largest neurosurgery practice, Neurological Surgery, P.C., hosted a free concussion education program to prepare coaches and parents for the upcoming youth sports season.

Seminar Date: September 13 6:30-8:30 PM
Location: Huntington Hilton

ROCKVILLE, CENTRE, NY, August 18, 2011 – When students return to school in September, their safety during sports activities will be of utmost concern to parents and educators. A panel of leading experts on concussion prevention, diagnosis, treatment and “back-to-play” assessments will address this issue with a free community program the evening of September 13 at the Huntington Hilton.  All parents, coaches, athletic trainers, and other sports related staff and volunteers are welcome to attend.  The program will be presented by Neurological Surgery, P.C. (NSPC), metro New York’s premier neurosurgical private practice.

The First Annual NSPC Sports Related Conference on Concussion and Brain Injury will feature some of the region’s foremost experts in neuroscience and clinical medicine, who will discuss the identification and treatment of sports related concussion and brain injury for young athletes.  Among the topics to be covered will be the most current guidelines on assessment and back-to-play decisions in head injuries; recognizing the symptoms of concussion; and what to do to prevent concussions. Presenters and topics will include:

• Donald S. Krieff, D.O., F.A.C.O.S., Neurosurgeon, NSPC:
  Contemporary Management of Sports Related Head Injuries

• Gad E. Klein, Ph.D., Neuropsychologist, NSPC:
  Cognitive Testing in the Evaluation of Concussion and Return-to-Play Decisions 

• Jason B. Hitner, M.D., F.A.A.P., Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Allied Pediatrics of New York; Medical Director, Suffolk County Community College and Copiague School District:

Long-Term Implications and Latest Guidelines on Pediatric Head Injuries
NSPC’s clinicians will discuss a number of methods for evaluating and treating concussion victims and those suspected of having sustained a concussion. Dr. Klein, a noted neuropsychologist, uses a range of tools to evaluate whether young athletes are ready to return to play and to do neuropsychological evaluations of their academic abilities before and after returning to school.

Among assessment methods is the new ImPACT Concussion System, a computerized test developed at the University of Pittsburgh, which evaluates concussion victims’ cognitive abilities. Both Dr. Klein and Dr. Krieff are ImPACT certified, and able to properly interpret ImPACT results and help athletics officials determine the safest post-concussion plan for each student. 

Participants in the program can expect to learn the latest on concussion-related laws and regulations.  Early this summer, the New York State Legislature passed the Concussion Management Awareness Act, which has certain requirements for schools on evaluation of suspected concussions, return to play, and on staff training.  Guidelines on concussion evaluation and management have been regularly updated by the New York State Athletic Administrators Association and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

While school sports are a primary focus of regulation this area – 47% of high school football players suffer concussions, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention – many concussions occur outside of school athletic activities.  Head injuries and concussions can also occur during solitary sports activities such as horseback riding and skateboarding, as well as from private sports league activities.

More on concussions visit Long Island Concussion Center.