Do athletes adhere to treatment guidance after injury? 4 study insights

Orthopedic Sports Medicine

A study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine investigated patient adherence to guidelines following a sports-related concussion.

The researchers followed 143 athletes through their recovery after a sports-related concussion, paying particular attention to patient adherence to a designated symptom-free waiting period prior to participating in sports performance. Past research found that only 60.3 percent of athletes reported a symptom-free waiting period prior to returning to their sport.

 

Here's what you need to know:

 

1. The majority, 99.3 percent, of athletes used a symptom-free waiting period.

 

2. Athletes were withheld from sports for more days than previous studies reported; 12.3 days compared to 7.4 days.

 

3. A total of 72.7 percent of athletes reported symptom recovery within one week; The mean symptom duration was 6.35 days.

 

4. The rate of same-season repeat concussion was low, at 3.8 percent.

 

The researchers concluded that "the findings support improved adherence to clinical management guidelines through increased utilization of SFWPs after SRC."

 

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