Paul George concussion

[Nevadaref]

Poor job implementing the league's concussion policy by the Pacers.
Yet another example of pro sports putting the game ahead of the health of the people playing. Not a positive example for all the HS and NCAA (plus younger) athletes out there.
The hypocrisy is clear.


From ESPN
Indiana Pacers All-Star swingman Paul George was diagnosed with a concussion Wednesday, just hours after he took a hit to the head from Dwyane Wade's knee during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, the team announced.

George now will begin the NBA-mandated protocol for return to action, the Pacers said.
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From yahoo

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ba...054351773.html

[rockyroad]

The only way for the Pacers to know that George had a concussion was if he exhibited signs or symptoms, or TOLD them he was having symptoms. Watching the game, there was no way to look at him and tell anything was wrong, and if he didn't tell anyone he had blurred vision or a headache, then there was no way for them to know.

So to call this situation hypocrisy is ridiculous.

[JetMetFan]

Agreed. Unless George was forgetting things in the huddle, stumbling, etc. or he said something to the coaching/training staff and no one responded how can the Pacers or the league be accused of hypocrisy? He's a grown-a** man. If he doesn't open his mouth and say "I blacked out" and/or he answers the concussion-related questions properly he can keep playing. It doesn't necessarily follow that someone is concussed once they've taken a blow to the head. He's been diagnosed so now here are the next steps:

Return-to Participation Decisions:
Once a player is diagnosed with a concussion he is then held out of all activity until he is symptom-free at rest and until he has no appreciable difference from his baseline neurological exam and his baseline score on the computerized cognitive assessment test.
The concussed player may not return to participation until he is asymptomatic at rest and has successfully completed the NBA concussion return-to-participation exertion protocol.

Return-to Participation Protocol:
The return to participation protocol involves several steps of increasing exertion -- from a stationary bike, to jogging, to agility work, to non-contact team drills.
With each step, a player must be symptom free to move to the next step. If a player is not symptom free after a step, he stops until he is symptom free and begins again at the previous step of the protocol (i.e., the last step he passed without any symptoms).
While the final return-to participation decision is to be made by the player’s team physician, the team physician must discuss the return-to-participation process and decision with Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, the Director of the NBA’s Concussion Program, prior to the player being cleared for full participation in NBA Basketball.
It's important to note that there is no time frame to complete the protocol. Each injury and player is different and recovery time can vary in each case.

If the Pacers don't follow the protocol then you can talk about hypocrisy.

As I mentioned I was at the game last night. From my seat I could tell something serious had happened. PG was facedown on floor and didn't move for about 20 seconds. I watched the replay and didn't see much contact from Wade, but PG's head did hit the floor. I thought he would go back to the locker room for analysis, but he didn't. I was surprised to see him check back into the game -- I was certain he had a concussion.

According to ESPN George denied dizziness, nausea, and issues with his vision when asked by the Pacers medical staff. He was also active and aware of his surroundings. Without visible symptoms the medical staff had no reason to keep him out.

Now, why he later admitted blacking out during the press conference is a mystery to me and sure doesn't make the staff look good.

[Raymond]

My first thought when I saw the play was that PG had a concussion.

[Adam]

Did anyone see enough to have at him by NFHS rules?

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Adam

Did anyone see enough to have at him by NFHS rules?

If I had seen the knee to the head, followed by his slowness to get up, I would have gone to the concussion protocol.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

If I had seen the knee to the head, followed by his slowness to get up, I would have gone to the concussion protocol.

Here, in The Constitution State, we would have said to the coach, "I believe that your player was kneed in the head and he looks wobbly" (note that we're discouraged from using the "C" word). After that, it's entirely up to the coach to allow, or disallow, that player from continued participating in the game.

From our protocol (follows state law, and state athletic governing body, guidelines):

If an official observes a player exhibiting any signs or symptoms of a possible
concussion, he/she shall provide the opportunity for the coach, trainer, or other
appropriate health care professionals to properly check the athlete and then defer
to the their judgment.
• The official should stop play and either beckons the coach onto the field or escort
the player to the coach, depending on the circumstance. State that “the player should
be checked out, and if necessary, provide other information you deem appropriate”.
Do not say that the athlete has a concussion. At this point the official’s job is done.
• If it is determined the athlete is not injured or the injury is NOT related to a
concussion the athlete may return to the game in accordance with NFHS rules.
• If an athlete is returned to the game and the official again observes signs and
symptoms of a possible concussion, the protocol should be repeated.

In part, Public Act 1062
– An Act Concerning Student Athletes And Concussions…
�� Mandates that all coaches complete a course in the management of
concussions prior to coaching that includes training in the recognition of
signs and symptoms of a concussion or head injury;
�� Places the primary responsibility for the athlete’s health and safety, including
the recognition of signs and symptoms of a possible concussion on the coach;
�� Requires that a coach must immediately remove a student athlete from
participating in a game or practice who is observed to exhibit signs,
symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion, following an observed
or suspected blow to the head or body, or if the athlete is diagnosed with a
concussion;
�� Emphasizes that coaches abide by the return to play procedure and protocol
required by the law, which includes written medical clearance by a licensed
health care professional*, followed by a gradual return to play procedure that
should prohibit any student confirmed to have signs and symptoms of a
concussion to return to play on the same day as the injury. *(According to
CT state law, a licensed health care professional is a physician,
physician’s assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, and an athletic
trainer trained in the evaluation and management of concussions)
�� States that any coach found in violation of the law may have his/her coaching
certificate revoked.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by AremRed

... I was certain he had a concussion.
...

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

My first thought when I saw the play was that PG had a concussion.

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

If I had seen the knee to the head, followed by his slowness to get up, I would have gone to the concussion protocol.

New NBA addition to the concussion protocol: poll the fans.

[JetMetFan]

Here's NJ's protocol:

• Using sound game management procedures and judgment, upon observing a player who exhibits the signs, symptoms or behaviors that are consistent with a concussion, the official shall follow the sport specific guidelines for handling an injured player.
• When appropriate, call time out. If the player’s safety is in jeopardy, call time out immediately.
• Beckon the physician/ATC onto the playing surface.
• Observe the injured player.
• Other game officials keep players/others away from the injured player.
• Apprise the physician/ATC of your observations as to the signs, symptoms, behaviors that are consistent with a concussion, including any conversation that you had with the injured player (any questions and answers that took place prior to the physician/ATC arriving).
• Note the game time, score, period or half, player name/number, etc when injury and removal took place (for those sports that officials do not normally keep a game card on their person, begin doing so).
• If the prescribed written clearance form is signed by a physician, and the player returns to play that day/night, the official in charge must obtain a copy of the signed written clearance form and subsequently submit it to the association’s keeper of records.

Schools and officials are reminded that NJSIAA is a 100% state, meaning that we follow the playing rules established by the NFHS. Every NFHS sports rule book contains the following: …Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional.

Remember that under NJ Law the only “appropriate health-care professional” who can authorize return-to-play under the rule is a physician trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.

I like the fact there's no requirement to say anything to the HC. Beckoning him/her onto the floor is enough to indicate we think something isn't right.

[A Pennsylvania Coach]

Originally Posted by AremRed

As I mentioned I was at the game last night. From my seat I could tell something serious had happened. PG was facedown on floor and didn't move for about 20 seconds. I watched the replay and didn't see much contact

By that criteria, Lance Stephenson should have been put into the protocol as well when he flopped and stayed down not moving.

Originally Posted by A Pennsylvania Coach

By that criteria, Lance Stephenson should have been put into the protocol as well when he flopped and stayed down not moving.

Uh, what? I never implied that at all.

What is your point?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by A Pennsylvania Coach

By that criteria, Lance Stephenson should have been put into the protocol as well when he flopped and stayed down not moving.

Sure, in a vacuum, but he didn't watch it from a vacuum.

[Nevadaref]

Two points:
1. ESPN article saying that George told the Pacers docs that he was fine and only confessed to blurry vision and a hurting head later, plus the NBA said that the policy was followed: 2014 NBA playoffs -- Paul George of Indiana Pacers says he's symptom-free after concussion - ESPN

2. Kornheiser and Wilbon from their PTI show note in the video on the same page as the above story that the NBA policy was NOT followed as George was not taken to a quiet place to be examined. He was questioned on the bench during the TO.

Lastly, who couldn't tell that this player was unconscious? That should have triggered a serious examination and return-to-play protocol.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Lastly, who couldn't tell that this player was unconscious? That should have triggered a serious examination and return-to-play protocol.

I am not a doctor and I would have had not idea considering how players fall and act like they are killed. If anything it looked like a typical play without the slow motion video.

Again, I do not see the big deal. This is a sport that rarely has these kinds of incidents where it is obvious to those that is even an issue. It is more of an issue in a sport like football where you immediately think of those kinds of injuries.

Peace