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Fall sports are ramping up across the Upstate, with soccer, football, and volleyball teams already back on the practice field ahead of their first games. Along with the usual sprains and sore muscles that come with a new season, this stretch of the year is also when we start seeing more fall sports concussions come through our doors. Contact and collision are simply a bigger part of these sports, and head injuries deserve a different level of attention than a rolled ankle.<\/p>\n
At Carolina Orthopaedic & Neurosurgical Associates<\/a>, our orthopedic and neurosurgical teams work side by side, which matters most when an injury involves both a joint and a head. Knowing what to watch for, and what to do in the moment, can make a real difference in how quickly and safely your athlete recovers.<\/p>\n A concussion is a brain injury caused by a hit to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause chemical changes in the brain and, sometimes, stretching or damage to brain cells. A concussion doesn’t require a loss of consciousness. Most athletes with a concussion never black out, which is part of why concussions can be easy to miss in the moment.<\/p>\n Because a concussion is an injury you can’t see on the outside, it’s often the symptoms and how an athlete is acting that give the clearest clues something is wrong.<\/p>\n Concussion symptoms can show up right away or develop over the following hours. Common signs include:<\/p>\n Younger athletes may not always be able to describe how they feel. Coaches and parents are often the ones who notice a change in behavior, mood, or coordination before the athlete says anything at all.<\/p>\n If your athlete takes a hit and shows any of these signs, the safest next step is to remove them from play right away. Research suggests that continuing to play with a concussion, or returning too soon, can slow recovery and raise the risk of a more serious injury. The saying used by many athletic trainers is simple: “When in doubt, sit them out.”<\/p>\n From there:<\/p>\n Head injuries in fall sports rarely happen in isolation, whether they occur at practice or in a game. An athlete who takes a hard hit to the head during a tackle or a collision may also have a strained neck, a jammed shoulder, or a sprained wrist from bracing a fall. Coordinating orthopedic and neurological care under one team can help make sure nothing gets missed, and that your athlete’s full recovery plan, not just the head injury, is addressed from the start.<\/p>\n This kind of coordinated care can also simplify things for families. Instead of juggling separate providers for a joint injury and a head injury, one care team can look at the whole picture and help guide a safe, complete return to sport.<\/p>\n Most concussions improve with rest and time, but it’s a good idea to have your athlete evaluated any time there’s a hit to the head, even if symptoms seem mild. Seek care right away if you notice:<\/p>\n When symptoms are less severe, a same-week evaluation is still worthwhile to confirm a safe path back to practice and games.<\/p>\n Fall sports should be something your athlete gets to enjoy all season long, and a head injury during practice or a game doesn’t have to sideline them for good. If your young athlete has a suspected concussion or another injury as fall sports get underway, our orthopedic and neurosurgical providers work together to guide a safe recovery from day one. Schedule an evaluation<\/a> with our team in Spartanburg, Duncan, or Greenville.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fall sports bring a rise in head injuries. Learn the signs of a concussion, what to do right away, and why ortho and neuro care work together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":10979,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Spring means baseball, soccer, trail runs, and backyard games. Whether you\u2019re a student-athlete pushing your limits or a weekend warrior reclaiming your fitness routine, your body is working hard to keep up. And sometimes, it needs a little help.<\/span><\/p> At Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates (CONA), we know injuries don\u2019t wait for a convenient moment. A twisted ankle on the soccer field or a knee that gave out on your morning run can stop you in your tracks. That\u2019s why we built CONA 24\/7, your first step toward expert orthopaedic care when you need it most.<\/span><\/p> Sports medicine focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries related to physical activity. It\u2019s not just for elite athletes. It\u2019s for anyone who moves and wants to keep moving. Common conditions include:<\/span><\/p> April is National Youth Sports Safety Month, a timely reminder that as kids and teens ramp up their activity after winter, the risk of injury rises alongside their enthusiasm. Muscles that have been less active are suddenly being put to work, such as sprinting, pivoting, and throwing. Adults face a similar pattern, often returning too quickly to high-intensity exercise after months of reduced activity.<\/span><\/p> Seek prompt orthopaedic attention if you notice:<\/span><\/p> CONA 24\/7 is our around-the-clock resource that connects you with the right level of orthopaedic care, fast. Not every injury requires a trip to the ER. Many musculoskeletal injuries are better served by specialists who focus specifically on bones, joints, muscles, and movement. CONA 24\/7 helps you navigate that decision quickly and confidently, any time of day. <\/span>Get started here!<\/span><\/a><\/p>What Is a Concussion?<\/h2>\n
Signs and Symptoms to Watch For<\/h2>\n
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What to Do If You Suspect a Concussion<\/h2>\n
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Why Ortho and Neuro Care Working Together Matters<\/h2>\n
When to See a Provider<\/h2>\n
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Supporting a Safe Season<\/h2>\n
Sports Medicine: From the Field to the Weekend Warrior<\/b><\/h1>
Sports Medicine Is for Everybody<\/b><\/h2>
Spring Sports and the Risk of Injury<\/b><\/h2>
Injured? Start with CONA 24\/7<\/b><\/h2>
Move Forward Fast with Orthopaedic Urgent Care<\/b><\/h2>