Michael J. O’Brien

Effect of Cognitive Activity Level on Duration of Post-Concussion Symptoms

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of cognitive activity level on duration of post-concussion symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients who presented to a Sports Concussion Clinic within 3 weeks of injury between October 2009 and July 2011. At each visit, patients completed a scale that recorded their average level of cognitive activity since the previous visit. The product of cognitive activity level and days between visits (cognitive activity-days) was calculated and divided into quartiles. Kaplan-Meier Product Limit method was used to generate curves of symptom duration based on cognitive activity level. To adjust for other possible predictors of concussion recovery, we constructed a Cox proportional hazard model with cognitive activity-days as the main predictor. RESULTS: Of the 335 patients included in the study, 62% were male, 19% reported a loss of consciousness, and 37% reported experiencing amnesia at the time of injury. The mean age of participants was 15 years (range, 8–23) and the mean number of previous concussions was 0.76; 39% of athletes had sustained a previous concussion. The mean Post-Concussion Symptom Scale score at the initial visit was 30 (SD, 26). The overall mean duration of symptoms was 43 days (SD, 53). Of all variables assessed, only total symptom burden at initial visit and cognitive activity level were independently associated with duration of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Increased cognitive activity is associated with longer recovery from concussion. This study supports the use of cognitive rest and adds to the current consensus opinion.

Initial symptom burden predicts duration of symptoms after concussion.

OBJECTIVESnTo determine which variables predict prolonged (>28 days) duration of symptoms after a concussion.nnnDESIGNnWe conducted a prospective cohort study of adult (>18yo) patients cared for in a specialty concussion clinic.nnnMETHODSnSymptoms were assessed using the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) developed at the 3rd International Conference on Concussion in Sports. Possible predictors including age, sex, loss of consciousness, amnesia, history of prior concussion, prior treatment for headaches, history of migraines, and family history of concussions, were measured by self-report. We recorded a PCSS score at each clinical visit and defined time to symptom resolution as the number of days between the date of injury and date of last symptoms.nnnRESULTSnOf 64 adult patients included in the study, 53.3% were male; 20.3% reported experiencing a loss of consciousness at the time of injury while 23.4% reported amnesia. Patients ranged in age from 18 to 27 years (mean 21±2 years). Most concussions (92.2%) occurred during sports. The mean initial PCSS score for those suffering symptoms for longer than 28 days was significantly higher than those who symptoms resolved within 28 days (42.5 vs. 19.2, p<0.01). Of all potential predictor variables, only the initial PCSS score was independently associated with the odds of symptoms lasting longer than 28 days (aOR 1.037; 95% CI 1.011, 1.063).nnnCONCLUSIONSnAmong adult patients with concussions, those with a higher symptom burden after injury have an increased odds of suffering from prolonged symptoms. Other potential predictor variables are not associated with the risk of prolonged recovery.

Platelet-Rich Plasma for Primary Treatment of Partial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tears: MRI Correlation With Results:

Background: Jobe revolutionized the treatment of medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) tears with his reconstruction technique. However, not all MUCL injuries require operative management; Rettig showed that 42% of MUCL injuries respond to conservative management. This was improved by Podesta, who showed that augmentation of nonoperative management with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting partial MUCL tears resulted in significantly higher success rates. Their series used a single injection of leukocyte-rich PRP. However, to our knowledge, no study has established optimal dosing and composition of PRP for augmentation of soft tissue healing. We present a series of patients with partial MUCL tears of the elbow treated with a series of 2 leukocyte-rich PRP injections, bracing, physical therapy, and a structured return-to-throwing protocol. Hypothesis: Nonoperative management of acute or subacute partial MUCL tears of the elbow with a formal treatment protocol will allow the injured ligament to heal without surgery and will permit a rapid return to sport. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients with symptomatic MUCL instability and magnetic resonance arthrography demonstrating grade 2 MUCL tears at the proximal or distal aspect were treated with varus-loading elbow bracing, activity restriction, and physical therapy, supplemented by 2 injections of PRP. The injections were separated by 2 weeks. Two weeks after the second injection, a repeat examination and magnetic resonance arthrogram were obtained to evaluate the response to treatment. Results: A total of 25 athletes (23 baseball athletes, 2 softball athletes [1 participant also danced]) underwent PRP injections and guided rehabilitation. Of these patients, 23 were diagnosed with primary grade 2 injuries of the MUCL; 22 patients with primary injuries (96%) demonstrated stability of the MUCL after treatment and returned to play at the same or higher level of competition without further intervention. Repeat MRI demonstrated reconstitution of the ligament in all patients, although 2 patients demonstrated only partial reconstitution. Patients were released to play at 6 weeks; due to vagaries of sports seasons, the mean time to return to competitive play was 82 days. Two of the 25 patients had undergone prior surgery (1 MUCL reconstruction and 1 repair). These patients remained unstable and symptomatic on examination after this treatment regimen, did not show complete reconstitution of the ligament on subsequent MRI, and required MUCL reconstruction. Conclusion: Ouf of 23 primary injury patients who received PRP injections and nonoperative measures, 22 (96%) were able to return to play and demonstrated reconstitution of the MUCL on MRI. Two of the 3 patients for whom PRP therapy failed had undergone previous MUCL surgery. We conclude that a 2-injection regimen of leukocyte-rich PRP is a safe and effective treatment for partial MUCL tears, but it appears to be less effective in patients with previous surgery for MUCL repair or reconstruction.

Lateral: Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Tendon Injury

Lateral elbow pain is a common issue amongst adult populations today, and the most common factors that causes the pain is lateral epicondylitis. The pathogenesis of the disease originates from the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon (ERCB), but their are other concomitant structures that can cause the lateral pain. Injury to the ERCB is diagnosed using a history, physical examination, and imaging consisting of MRI, radiographs, and ultrasonography. Most patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis are able to be healed through conservative treatment including braces, antiinflammatories, and injections. When non-surgical treatment fails, surgical intervention is required, and the novel technique of ultrasonography ablation is proving to be highly successful. The disease causes pain in the ECRB region, but the positive outlook for patients is that either non-surgical or surgical management is likely going to create a satisfactory result.

Sport-Related Concussions: Symptom Recurrence After Return to Exercise:

Background: Current guidelines dictate a gradual exercise progression after a concussion; however, it is unclear what proportion of athletes experience a recurrence of symptoms once they are symptom free at rest. Estimating the proportion of athletes and predictors of symptom recurrence would help shape return-to-play protocols. Purpose: To determine the proportion and associated risk factors of athletes who have a recurrence of concussion symptoms with exercise after being symptom free at rest. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Between October 1, 2009 and July 31, 2011, we studied patients from a sport concussion clinic located within a tertiary care regional children’s hospital. Patients were queried at every visit using a standardized questionnaire. Our main outcome variable was recurrence of symptoms with exercise after being symptom free at rest at some point in their recovery. Cofactors included age, sex, loss of consciousness with injury, prior concussion (diagnosed and undiagnosed), Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) score, time until clinical presentation, and duration of symptoms. Results: Of the 217 patients included, 25 (12%) experienced a return of symptoms. Losing consciousness at the time of injury and a longer duration between injury and clinical presentation were associated with a decreased risk of symptoms recurring with exercise. Conversely, athletes who had sustained previously undiagnosed concussions and had suffered a longer duration of symptoms at rest were at an increased risk of symptom recurrence with exercise. Conclusion: Relatively few athletes who are symptom free at rest after a concussion will have a recurrence of symptoms when they resume exercise. The risk of symptoms recurring with exercise may be greater among those athletes who sustained previously undiagnosed concussions and had a longer period of symptoms at rest. The early identification of athletes who may be at risk of symptom recurrence will help mold treatment guidelines and exercise progression protocols.

Receded near point of convergence and gait are associated after concussion

Objective To examine post-concussion gait among patients with and without receded near point of convergence (NPC) and uninjured controls. Design Prospective observational study. Setting Regional sport-concussion clinic. Participants Thirty-one patients presented 10.1 [95% CI=8.1, 12.1] days post-concussion (57% female, age=16.5 [15.4, 17.7]); 38 controls were tested (55% female, age=15.5 [13.6, 17.4]). Participants completed symptom, NPC, and single/dual-task gait assessments. Exclusion criteria were a current lower extremity injury or diagnosed learning disability. Intervention The effect of group (receded NPC, normal NPC, control) and task (single/dual) were evaluated via ANOVA. NPC and gait correlations were calculated. Outcome measures NPC was the patient-reported diplopia point while a fixation target moved toward the nose. Receded NPC was >5 cm from the tip of the nose. Three inertial sensors quantified gait; variables included average gait speed, cadence, and stride length. Results Nineteen concussion patients presented with receded NPC, 12 did not. Symptom severity was not significantly different between groups (27.1 [18.6, 35.6] vs. 26.3 [17.1, 35.5]). Those with receded NPC exhibited slower average gait speed (1.02 [0.93, 1.11] m/s vs. 1.19 [1.14, 1.24] m/s, p<0.001) and shorter stride lengths (1.11 [1.05, 1.18] m vs. 1.27 [1.23, 1.31] m, p=0.001) than controls. Near NPC and single-task gait speed were moderately correlated (ρ=−0.54, p= 0.002). Conclusions Adolescents with receded NPC post-concussion exhibited significant gait-related alterations compared to healthy controls; those with normal NPC did not. Vergence and gross motor system dysfunction may be interrelated following concussion and may provide useful information to post-concussion evaluations. Competing interests Dr. Meehan receives royalties from ABC-Clio publishing for the sale of his book, Kids, Sports, and Concussion: A guide for coaches and parents, and royalties from Wolters Kluwer for working as an author for UpToDate. He is under contract with ABC-Clio publishing for a future book entitled, Concussions, and with Springer International publishing for a future book entitled, Head and Neck Injuries in Young Athletes. His research is funded, in part, by a grant from the National Football League Players Association and by philanthropic support from the National Hockey League Alumni Association through the Corey C. Griffin Pro-Am Tournament. Dr. O’Brien receives royalties from Wolters Kluwer for working as an author for UpToDate. He is under contract with Springer International publishing for a book entitled, Head and Neck Injuries in Young Athletes. Drs. Howell, Shah, and Raghuram have no conflicts of interest to report.