Top Concussion/Head Doctors
 

Just curious to hear who you guys have heard of and know that are doing good things in terms of research and treatments or have had personal experiences with

I heard University of Pittsburgh their sports Medicine is a world leader

this topic may have been posted before, but research continues :)

There are many research/treatment centers. Concussion has become an money making industry in the past 10 years. Most are competing for patient and research dollars.

U of Pittsburg Medical Center has been successful with getting their name out because they sell the ImPACT System and hold seminars about using it. Their protocol is driven by neuro psych protocols (Micky Collins is a PhD, not an M.D.)

John Leddy, M.D. at the University of Buffalo has his research and ideas.

There are two research and treatment centers in Boston. Robert Cantu M.D. is affiliated with one. He is very knowledgeable but has his own biases.

The 2012 International Summit on Concussion in Zurich used the committee approach to develop protocols.

Even though they all have some overlap, most have a specific focus that may make their protocol different. The more popular ones are focused on return to play, not return to job and family life. Here is an interesting web site that shows a variety of protocols. Sportsconcussion – Concussion Management

There is a big difference between deep research and what makes it to the public. Most researchers are not good at developing a market to sell a protocol to like UPMC.

There is also a big difference between diagnosing and tracking concussion symptoms and treating them. Not every symptom is treatable even though some claim to treat them all. In some cases, there is a risk of over-treatment. The patient is kept so busy with therapies, their brain never gets time to rest and heal. There is often a 'nail and hammer' syndrome at play. If you are holding a hammer and see a nail that appears out of place, you hit it. Not every vestibular symptom needs vestibular therapy. Not every cognitive or memory struggle needs speech therapy.

There are still lots of questions and few solid answers.

thank you, good info as usual, I want to go to a seminar it Pittsburgh, a Year ago I was in hell, now I'm almost normal still get minor symptoms but nothing to stop me from functioning normal! besides being terrified to hit my head anywhere

Dr. Javier Cardenas at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix is doing a lot of research and outreach particularly in the area of sports related TBIs. I know him personally through my involvement with the Arizona Governor's Council for Spine and Head Injuries.

He created the Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, and has consulted with the NFL and NCAA to develop best practices for concussion prevention and management.

He was instrumental in helping to create a new helmet protocol for the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations. The rule states that every football player must return to the sidelines when their helmet comes off to have it inspected during the next play. The protocol has drastically decreased the number of helmets that have come off during the season.

He created Barrow Brainbook, the nation’s first mandated concussion education and test for student athletes. Under this program, Arizona became the first state to mandate that all male and female student athletes undergo concussion education and pass a formal test before play.

The NCAA mandated that any football player who loses his helmet must sit out a play for a number of years. It is interesting to see a player grab their helmet off the ground and sprint to the sidelines to make sure a replacement player gets on the field. Most loss of helmet issues are at the end of the play due to a tackle that includes grabbing the helmet. I've never seen them get their helmet inspected or even check in with a trainer or equipment manager to get a chin strap repaired.

The goal appears to be to encourage players to keep their chin strap buckled and secure.

Some official are real strict about targeting. The NCAA rule requires an automatic ejection that carries over to the next game even when the targeting was not intentional. Other officials have not got with the program and only flag the most egregious targeting. The NCAA released new guidelines in late Sept to help officials get on the same page regarding targeting. I'd like to see a post game review of the game looking specifically for abusive behaviors. There are just not enough eyes on the field looking at the players.

A small college in Michigan or Minnesota has practiced without helmets for years. They only wear helmets during games. This teaches their players to be head conscious, both on offense and defense. They have very low rates of head injuries with this program.

UNC CHapel Hill has a TBI clinic that is apparently very good.