jplm,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

1) Head aches are quite common and can be chronic for months after a concussion. Nobody can say how long he can expect to have them. For some of us, head aches are just a part of life, even years later.

2) These head aches are not dangerous unless there are other symptoms with them, like slurred speech, loss or struggle with motor control, nausea, and any stroke like symptoms.

3) He is very likely long past the time where a second impact (Second Impact Syndrome) is a severe risk. Second Impact Syndrome is where the brain has not regained control over intracranial pressure and a second impact can cause an increase in intracranial pressure that can be life threatening. This risk period is usually within the first month or so of the original injury. He is at risk of Multiple Impact Syndrome where each consecutive impact causes far more injury and symptoms and takes longer to heal with a greater likelihood of long term persistent symptoms.

There are no tried and true ways to treat headaches. Pain meds can help, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc. Icing the back of the head and neck can help.

If he has any tenderness at the bony parts behind his ears, he may need to seek treatment for a subtle upper neck injury. Upper neck injuries are often the cause of head aches. Gentle chiro, PT, etc combined with good head and neck posture discipline, especially when sleeping or resting, can help. These injuries can take months to heal.

Returning to hockey is a big question. If he is having such a struggle with head aches, a second concussion can magnify he chronic head aches. Though not likely life threatening, another concussion can be lifestyle threatening. He is at an age where his brain is in the middle of serious maturing. Disrupting this maturing can have lifelong consequences. Personality changes, problems with impulse control,and such can be the result of concussions at this age.

There is a growing number of professionals that are suggesting avoiding head injury sports until after 14 years old. For an already injured child, this age should likely be a few years older.

It sounds like he has a busy and accomplished life. This puts a strain on his brain and makes him less tolerant/slower to heal from impacts. It also means he has more activities that can be negatively effected by another concussion. So, returning to the ice is a serious question. If he was my child, I would be keeping him off the ice for a year or so minimum, until his brain was older.

I know this is a tough issue. Hockey players are usually very passionate about their continued play.

My best to you.