Recovery

Concussions are very serious and complex injuries. The timeline for recovery from a concussion is based on several different factors. Most athletes recover from a concussion within 7-10 days. Longer recoveries, however, are not uncommon and can usually be related to the severity of the concussion injury. There are occasions when the recovery seems to take longer than would be expected. In some cases, even though the concussion injury seems mild, the athlete remains symptomatic for longer than the expected 7-10 day timeline. As more research is being completed and published, there is a better understanding as to why some athletes take longer to recover. Several of these findings are very interesting. For example, athletes 18 years old and younger will take longer to recover from a concussion than older athletes; athletes with a previous history of concussion, a history of a learning disability, or a personal or family history of migraine headaches will also take longer to recover. Another important factor that prolongs recovery occurs when an athlete either ignores or does not recognize a concussion has occurred and continues to physically exert through the injury. Careful monitoring of symptoms and clinical examinations are necessary to shorten recovery times.