New ways to prevent and treat concussions

Traumatic brain injuries, or concussions, are very common among athletes, especially ones who play contact sports.

In 2022, more than two million children suffered one, according to the CDC.

Nationwide, concussion specialists are on a mission to develop new ways to prevent and treat these injuries in our kids.

“We understand that there’s a risk associated with these sports, but we see the benefit much clearer, and so, I think there’s sort of a balancing of people looking at, do they wanna have their kids engaged in these sports?” said Elizabeth Pieroth, director of the concussion program at Midwest Orthopaedics.

Many sports organizations and schools are now implementing concussion protocols to protect their athletes better; however, the responsibility ultimately falls on parents to advocate for their children’s safety and make informed decisions about their participation in contact sports.

“There have been new technologies for reducing concussions, as an example, so, there have been great improvements in the helmets that are used across sports, that the technology that we’re using is improving that,” Pieroth said.

As concussions continue to impact children across the country, it’s imperative for parents, educators, and policymakers to work together to prioritize the safety and well-being of our youngest generation.

Experts say that even with the advancement of technology, there will never be a “concussion-proof” helmet for sports, putting further emphasis on parents making those decisions about sports.