Abstract

In the United States, sports-related head injuries occur frequently. The Centers for Disease Control estimates more than 300,000 sports-related concussions occur each year in the United States. There are a number of myths and misunderstandings among health care professionals regarding concussions. In this article, we clarify some reasons for these misunderstandings and provide some of the possible causes for the increased susceptibility of the adolescent athlete, along with evidence-based assessment tools for assisting physicians in making return-to-play decisions. Finally, suggestions for a concussion safety program in the high school setting are also provided.