For years the league has minimized or denied statistics compiled by others showing a high percentage of former players, who sustained repetitive concussions, suffered some type of brain deterioration. The league finally commissioned a study on concussions and the data revealed that football players as young as 30 were 19 times more likely to be diagnosed with a memory disorder or dementia than the national average. Players over 50 were diagnosed with dementia-related illness at a rate of 5 times the national average.

Professional football players realize that the game is tough and that they may be injured. The players have also trusted that team doctors would accurately assess their ability to play — and bench them if warranted. When a player sustains a knee injury, they are out for weeks. When a player gets a concussion, sometimes they are out only one series of downs.

The brain is in many ways more fragile than other parts of the body. It does not heal like a fracture. All of these studies are showing the cumulative nature of concussions. The treatment of concussions needs to be modified.

News Report on Concussions and Professional Football

There is another study, by Dr. Bennet Omalu, forensic pathologist and neuropathologist in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in which another type of brain injury was identified. Dr. Omalu named it Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Dr. Omalu examined the brains of five former professional football players. Repeated concussions and sub-concussions (”build-up” effect from repeated blows to the head) incurred during the play of football over a long period can result in CTE. The brain changes in CTE include scarring of brain tissue, damage to cerebral blood vessels, and torn microfibers.

The bottom line is that professional players have to be more in tune with their health. In younger players, parents need to be more proactive on behalf on their children.

As time goes by, statistics will continue to support that brain injuries occur in contact sport participants and that the injuries can be compounded. What if you add a car accident to an old football injury or vice versa — the effects multiply.

What needs to change? Helmets? Treatment? Rules? Many people do talk about the possibilities that helmets increase the brain damage because they give players a false sense of security. There are new designs in helmets to reduce concussions. The new helmets are expensive and professional teams have not been willing to pay for them until there is more data to support that they really do reduce the number of concussions.

This information is provided as service of TSR Injury Law, a personal injury law firm serving Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington and the state of Minnesota. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling traumatic brain injury cases. Call 612-362-0000 for more information or contact a Minnesota Brain Injury Lawyer.

• may or may not have a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes – don’t rely on this to exclusively determine a brain injury or whether to seek medical treatment
• headache – the more severe the brain damage the more persistent the headache
• confusion
• lightheadedness
• dizziness
• blurred vision or tired eyes
• ringing in the ears
• bad taste in the mouth
• fatigue or lethargy
• a change in sleep patterns
• behavioral or mood changes / personality change
• trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking
• repeated vomiting or nausea
• convulsions or seizures
• an inability to awaken from sleep
• dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
• slurred speech
• weakness or numbness in the extremities
• loss of coordination
• restlessness or agitation
• coma

What to Do if You Suspect TBI

If someone is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, they should receive medical attention as soon as possible. Because little can be done to reverse the initial brain damage caused by trauma, medical personnel try to stabilize an individual with TBI and focus on preventing further injury. Of utmost importance is:

• proper oxygen supply to the brain and the rest of the body
• maintaining adequate blood flow
• controlling blood pressure

Imaging tests can help with diagnosis and prognosis. Imaging that may be recommended:

• skull and neck X-rays to check for bone fractures or spinal instability
• computed tomography (CT) scan for moderate or severe cases –will show location and shape of hemorrhage

This information is provided by TSR Injury Law. Our attorneys are consistently named Super Lawyers by their peers and Chuck Slane has been voted one of the 2008 Minnesota Top 40 Personal Injury Lawyers. Our attorneys have years of experience with personal injury law, have a stellar reputation, and have secured millions in compensation for our clients. They have proven their expertise in TBI cases with many settlements in the millions. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our contact form.