Concussion Program offered at Freedom High School

Pre-season computerized exam that gives the brain a preseason physical of its cognitive abilities. It tracks memory, reaction time, processing speed, and concentration. If a concussion is suspected, the test is re-taken and the information can be used to better determine recovery from concussion. It assists in determining the extent of the injury, location of the injury and when the injury has healed. Sports with an increased risk for concussions will be required to take this test before the season. Available to all athletes.

PROCEDURES FOR INJURY MANAGEMENT

1. ATHLETIC INJURIES

· Athletes need to report all injuries to their Coach first.

· If an ATC is present, the athlete will be evaluated on site. If not, the Athletic Training Room by the gym (315) is open every day during YOUR lunch for evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries.

· The Athletic Training Room is open every day after school for treatments, taping, stretching, etc.

· Athlete’s will be given a treatment log to take to their coach explaining the care received and their playing status. Most injuries can be cared for by the ATC, LAT.

· More serious injuries will be referred to the appropriate medical specialist.

· Being injured does not excuse the athlete from practice.

· Athletes can still receive rehabilitation after school and watch and learn at practice.

· Dr. Homan, our Team Physician, sees athletes Freedom athletes as a priority bases. Meaning, whatever your schedule permits the appointment will be made to fit your needs.

· Contact Te Shondra Echavarria, M.A., ATC, LAT if you ever have any questions about your son/daughter’s injury.

2. FHS ATHLETIC TRAINING TAPING POLICY

All athletes will be evaluated and determined if taping is medically necessary. Athletes determined to need tape will be given a rehabilitation program. As long as the athlete continues rehabilitation, the athlete will be taped until their injury improves and does not need to be taped. Due to limited budget and staffing in the high school setting preventive taping is not done. It is recommended that athletes who want preventative taping purchase a brace. ATCs are not always available and if someone who is not trained on taping techniques tapes an athlete, this may cause more harm to the athlete versus no tape at all.

3. EMERGENCY ROOM AND DOCTOR VISITS

· If your Son/Daughter is seriously injured, please seek immediate care.

· Report the injury the next day to the Coach and ATC, LAT.

· Any athlete who has seen a Physician may not participate until a written note is presented that clears that athlete to participate and is signed by that medical specialist.

· If the athlete needs to receive further treatment, have the medical specialist write a prescription or call the a Staff ATC/L for rehabilitation exercises and instructions.

4. AT-HOME CARE FOR INJURIES

While injuries at your child’s school may be managed by the certified athletic trainer, this is useful information that you can apply to the whole family. And not all injuries happen on the field of play, so keep this information handy, and it could help you get back into action! If you or a family member receives a soft tissue injury, commonly known as a sprain or a strain, or a bone injury, the best immediate treatment is easy to remember. “RICE” (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) the injury. Get professional treatment if any injury is severe. A severe injury means have an obvious facture or dislocation of joint, prolonged swelling, or prolonged or severe pain.

RICE

R Rest: Reduce or stop using the injured area for 48 hours. If you have a leg injury, you may need to stay off of it completely.

I Ice: Put an ice pack on the injured area for 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times per day. Use a cold pack, ice bag, or a plastic bag filled with crushed ice that has been wrapped in a moist towel.

· Never use ice for more than 20 minutes at a single time or application.

· Before the next application of ice, make sure the body area has returned to normal body temperature; this could take 1-2 hours.

· Crushed ice works better, but an alternative is a bag of frozen corn or peas. It’s easy, affordable and reusable!

C Compression: Compression of an injured ankle, knee, or wrist may help reduce the swelling. These include bandages such as elastic wraps, special boots, air casts and splints. Ask your doctor or athletic trainer which one is best.

E Elevation: Keep the injured area elevated above the level of the heart. Use a pillow to help elevate an injured limb. Using gravitational forces to your advantage can help limit the amount of swelling.

The above information is not intended to replace your physician. Seek care from a medical provider if you’re unsure about the severity of an injury.


WHEN IS HEAT APPORPIATE?

Heat should be used to treat an injury in the chronic or subacute (after 72 hours following the trauma). Heat increases blood flow to the area and this can provides relaxation to tight muscles and stiff joints and also pain relief.

Blood flow carries oxygen which can facilitates tissue healing, but blood flow to an area of inflammation can increase swelling and pain. Some general guidelines when treating an injured body part with heat are as follows:

· Apply a hot pack for 15-20 minutes before an activity to warm up the muscles and facilitate an increased range of motion during stretching.

· Hot packs may be useful post-activity to alleviate muscle tightness and assist in the reduction of muscle stiffness.

· Do not use heat if you have:

o Inflammation of an acute injury

o Circulatory impairment

o Fever

o Active bleeding

o Peripheral vascular disease

o Sensory loss

o Malignancies

o If unsure if it is safe to use heat, don’t!

INSURANCE COVERAGE

1. Parent insurance is the primary and initial source of payment.

The Orange County Public School’s athletic insurance company is a secondary policy. If the parent does not have insurance coverage on their son/daughter, the coverage of the OCPS’s athletic insurance will become primary for athletic related injuries only.

2. Athletes are only covered during the official FHSAA dates set for each sport (In-season injuries only) that occur when participating in the sport. This does not include optional or pre-season workouts. Athletes submitting claim forms will be checked for academic eligibility. If an athlete is found to not be academically eligible, they will not be covered.

3. Injuries must be reported in a timely manner to the Athletic Training Staff so the proper paperwork can be completed.