2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Cancelled - Will Your Own Year Be Hockey Concussion Free?

The annual Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic may have been cancelled for this year, leaving many hockey fans further disappointed with this season’s showing, but that doesn’t meant that you can enjoy your own hockey season any less. Getting out there on the ice is a great way to exercise over the winter months. But will this year’s season be hockey concussion free? How can you ensure your own game keeps you hockey concussion free? 

Any hockey player or fan knows that hockey concussions are all too common, keeping players off the ice at regular intervals. A hockey concussion can be a damaging injury that can decrease an individual’s ability to do the things they normally enjoy on a regular basis, particularly participate in sports, and so if a concussion occurs it is incredibly important to seek out proper concussion management and concussion treatment.  

Those hockey players who normally participate in the NHL Winter Classic have a team on hand of highly  concussion. You, however, may not be in the same position. So what can you do to deal with a hockey concussion?  

One of the hardest parts about treating a hockey concussion is actually diagnosing it. Too many athletes suffer concussions while playing sports but brush them off as something else without seeking proper treatment. Whether your hockey concussion is mild or severe – or even if you are unsure if you have a concussion or not – it is first crucial to seek out medical advice.

A good sports injury clinic will employ a variety of tests, including:

-          A BESS test - a standardized balance test, which has been shown to correlate well with cognitive recovery after concussion

-          An IMPACT test - a computer-based cognitive test, which examines such things as memory and cognitive functioning (processing speed and reaction time).

Together these tests work to diagnose the severity of the concussion, determine the proper treatment plan, and assess and estimate recovery times.

After diagnosing a hockey concussion (or any other sports related concussion), the right sports medicine specialist will develop a plan for recovery, allowing you to return to work and play as quickly as possible while still avoiding the costly long-term effects that often accompany an untreated hockey concussion.

If you are a fan that also likes to play hockey, try to maintain the same level of injury prevention and treatment as the pro’s. If you suffer a hockey concussion, do not ignore it – this can lead to devastating future injuries, which can ultimately keep you from the rink permanently. Treat a hockey concussion seriously and seek treatment immediately.

One of Athletic Edge Sports Medicine’s own doctors, Dr. Grant Lum, MD, CCFP, Dip Sport Med, is a consultant for the NHL Players’ Association, and consistently works with sports injury specialists within the NHL. For more information about hockey concussion diagnosis and treatment, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416 800 0800, or visit www.aesm.ca.