Day: February 10, 2013

Neurosurgeons often manage patients with extracranial injuries that have concomitant concussions. In these cases, neurosurgeons are often the only “concussion experts” that patients encounter.

In recent decades, concussions have received unprecedented attention from the scientific community. The definition of the term has become more refined, and epidemiological data have revealed how remarkably common the injury is.

A neurosurgeon’s intimate knowledge of various head injuries from similar mechanisms gives a distinct advantage in the ability to educate athletes about the possible consequences of their injury. In the past, involvement in concussion management has been less than that of trainers, sports medicine physicians, rehabilitation specialists or other primary care providers. This is mostly attributable to the limited supply of neurosurgeons and the mostly non-surgical pathology of concussions.

Neurosurgeons are limited in number but critical in their knowledge when complication arises. They can provide a solid foundation for those that do provide “frontline” care and be willing to provide assistance and insight whenever consulted. A few neurosurgeons however, have already taken the initiative and are getting more and more involved such as Dr. Tanvir Choudhri, MD or some one like Dr.Robert Cantu, MD who already leads on the frontline role of dealing with concussions. Read more about the role of Neurosurgeons in this, in-depth, study published by Surgical Neurology International.