Crosby cleared for contact
 

It's been about 14 months since his original concussion(s). Without knowing more about his situation, you'd have to think that he's putting himself at risk by getting back into game (or simulated game) action. Interesting note: Crosby said his recent treatment for his neck issues has resulted in a "significant overall improvement" in his symptoms.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...rticle2360281/

I'm sure everyone on this forum reads that article with some hesitation in thier minds. We all know how he's felt and now going back into full contact NHL hockey...wow.

I wish these articles would touch more on the actual details of what the professional practicitionars "treatment" really is. This story really affects me because my injury was whiplash and I've tried every imaginable treatment for my neck. 1 year later and I'm still having strange neck issues. Its like the left side of my neck does not want to engage. It still feels so weak after lots of physio and NUCCA.

Me: neck pain, dizzines, spatial awarness problems, tinnitus and sound sensitvity. ugh.

Speaking as both a PCS sufferer and a hockey fan here... I think the Pens should have put Crosby on Long Term Injury Reserve. Err on the side of caution and let him truly prove that he is symptom free and recovered over a longer period of time. The team is on a torrid pace without him and could have used the saved cap space to add another big piece to improve their playoff run.

A chance to go through training camp and the exhibition season in September would also allow him to gradually return to the game, as opposed to being thrown right in against guys in mid-season form.

Patrice Bergeron missed an entire season with post concussion syndrome and has returned to a high level of play. I would hate to see Crosby become another Eric Lindros or Marc Savard.

Not a huge hockey fan but I've followed Crosby's situation. The thing with concussions in sports is they focus so heavily on the ones that linger and once a guy is fully recovered it's not really newsworthy.

I've seen Bergeron play and to say he isn't fully recovered would be nonsense. Claude Giroux was out with a pretty nasty one, again back and as good as ever.

There's no reason to believe Crosby can't get there as well. Sure he needs to be careful, but I'm sure like any athlete he knows his body and will know when he can get back on the ice. He took some shots when he got back, and while it pushed him back, it's obviously nothing like what he went through with the original concussion.

I was watching ESPN Classic the other day and Mark McGwire was talking about the concussion he received in 1995 after David Cone hit him in the head with a pitch. McGwire was knocked pretty goofy, couldn't stand, had severe balance issues for weeks after. He took a week off, came back and hit well. What was very interesting was how he claimed the concussion forced him to "rebuild his body", and go on to achieve what he did in the late 90s. But that's not something people focus on because he made it a non-issue by working through it.

On a more personal level, I've spoken with a former UFC fighter who dealt with severe post concussion for 18 months. He informed me that it took 3 years to feel completely like himself. In his words, he's better than ever, feels good enough to compete as a fighter and training and teaching on a daily basis.

There are more positive outcomes with this than negative. There's no reason not to believe you or these athletes won't return to top form.

I've been following Crosby's progress as well and mirror my expectations (as an athlete) to how well I will recover based on his experiences. Of course, there's not such a thing as contact in cycling except when you meet the ground.

I've also read articles on many cyclists that have had PCS because of crashing. The one most notable was Jens Voigt a few years back when he met the asphalt down a mountain pass at 50+mph in the Tour de France. He lost consciousness for 20 minutes and in an interview several months after the crash, you can see his scars and obviously he was shaken by the event. Now he still rides, taking part in the current Paris-Nice race. I have plenty of questions to ask him and how he recovered.

bh_pcs,

Finding out about how Jens Voigt recovered is of no value. As the saying goes, "When you've seen one brain injured patient, you've seen one brain injured patient."

Once you can exercise again, you will be able to regain your strength. The question will be, Do you dare risk your brain?

This forum is great for information and support but is problematic in that it affords people an opportunity to compare. Then, they become anxious because they do not have the same progression of recovery as others.

Then there are the comments about, "You will recover to 95% or whatever that have no basis in fact. "

We all recover as differently as our finger prints are different.

I always find it helpful to be informed about what others have experienced so that I can learn from it and apply certain principles to my own injury in my own way.

As for a conversation with Jens Voigt, It would be very helpful to have that conversation with him especially training-wise. And yes, while he's a pro athlete and I'm not, there is still value there.

I wouldn't discount others' experiences, Mark. My guess is that you're assuming I can't think for myself, correct me if I'm wrong.

BTW, I've been working out after two months since the accident and I've recently been pushing 340lbs on the leg press. It has been a long road (pardon the pun) to recovery and I'm not even at 100% yet.

Risk? I'm one of those who like to live my life, not worry so much about risk as much as the benefits.

Chacun son gout! :)

And that's the attitude that speeds recovery.

Definitely does help to hear from others on how they recovered - It's small things that differentiate us.

It may help to hear that others have recovered and what steps they took during their recovery but the focus on how others have recovered misses the point. Everyone is different. Every recovery is different. Most who claim to have recovered to 100% are not aware of the many areas where they have not recovered. None of them HAVE recovered 100%. They may claim to have and even be able to play at high levels despite they lingering damage.

Every one of them is putting their brains at serious risk of much more devastating lifetime damage.

The sports community has a very narrow view of recovery. It is all about the game and the money to be made. There is a very high disregard for the long term effects of their concussions.

Here in Idaho and in many other states, the NFL is leading the charge in getting new laws passed that put in place better safeguards and reporting and diagnostic procedures for youth football players. The NFL knows how concussions limit the availability of some of the best athletes to continue playing into the professional levels. They know that any efforts to prevent concussions and require proper long term recovery time creates a better chance of those athletes being able to complete careers at the professional level.

The NFL has a long list of former players who have died young from dementia or suicide as they despair over their deteriorating condition.

They are even aware enough to kill themselves while saving their brains to be studied by the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE), at the Boston University School of Medicine, in cooperation with the Sports Legacy Institute co-founded by Harvard football player Chris Nowinski. See http://www.bu.edu/cste/about/leadership/chris-nowinski/

The research into the long term damage and risks from concussions dates back to the 1970's but has been ignored until recently.

Those who are looking for help to recover so they can go back to the activity that caused their concussions are asking the wrong people for advice. There are already too many with Multiple Concussion Syndrome.

But then, nobody is stopping anybody from getting another concussion and ruining their life and becoming a burden to those who will need to take care of them.

Crosby might play tomorrow (Sunday). He went through a vigorous physical practice with intentional contact this week and is expected to do another today.

The game on Sunday is against the Bruins, definitely one of the more physical teams.