Three new position statements were recently release from major medical organizations, outlining the most recent recommendations regarding concussion recognition and management.

The Consensus statement on concussion in sport was released following the International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Zurich in November 2012.

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine released its position statement regarding concussion in sport, with the goal to provide an evidence-based, best practice summary of sports-related concussion.

Finally, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) provides further recommendations in its position statement pertinent to student-athletes, lawmakers, athletic associations, and licensed healthcare professionals.

The AAN also released a document supporting evidence-based guidelines in the evaluation and management of sports-related concussion.

Have you recently sustained a concussion while participating in sports?

If the answer is yes, you may be eligible to participate in a concussion research study.

The purpose of this research is to study the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy on accelerating recovery time in youth athletes suffering from acute sports-related concussion.

STUDY REQUIREMENTS:

• Complete five hyperbaric oxygen treatments in 10 days following injury (treatments are administered at Carolina Hyperbarics 8300 Health Park, Suite 134, Raleigh, NC 27615)
• Complete follow-up care and management of sports-related concussion as provided by your CFPSM provider.

You may not be eligible for this study if:

• You have sustained another injury at the same time as your concussion
• You are pregnant
• You have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD
• You demonstrate evidence of drug usage
• You lost consciousness for more than 20 minutes when you were injured

If you have any questions or would like to discuss enrolling your child in the study, please ask to speak with one of our certified athletic trainers at your next office visit.

The physicians of Carolina Family Practice & Sports Medicine would like to take a moment and share some exciting changes to our practice.

First, we would like to thank you for your patience as our Cary Location has undergone a significant physical change. The additional space and much needed facelift to the existing space were much needed and we look forward to finalizing these changes for the benefit of both patients and staff. 

Second, we would like to welcomeMark Sakr, DO to our CFP&SM Family.  Dr. Sakr is a familiar face, as he completed his Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship through UNC-Chapel Hill & CFP&SM.  Dr. Sakr will begin seeing patients in November.

Finally, effective November 1, CFP&SM will embark on a new affiliation as a Duke Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC).  The decision to affiliate with the PDC was made after thoughtful consideration and much due diligence on the part of our partner physicians and management team.  This new affiliation will provide numerous benefits to our patients.  It will allow us to keep our billing in house, providing a consistent level of service in this area.  CFP&SM will have greater autonomy in several areas, thus allowing our clinic the opportunity to pursue programming and services to better serve our entire patient population.  We will also continue to focus on maintaining and advancing our status as a NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home.

Concurrent to this transition, James R. Stevens, MD will begin serving as the physician administrator for CFP&SM.

As a result of the transition to the PDC, you may receive a letter from your insurance company stating the physicians of CFP&SM are no longer in-network due to our departure from Novant Medical Group.  We will still be in-network with your insurance.  Please call our billing department at 919-238-2000, option 6 with any questions or concerns.  In fact, effective November 1, we will also now be in-network with Duke Select.

CFP&SM will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2013.  We take a great amount of pride in how our clinic has grown and the reputation we have established in theWakeCountyarea.  If you have any feedback about your experience with our clinic, we would very much like to hear it, as growth is a result of listening to our patients and their concerns and feedback.

We are sincerely appreciative that you allow us the privilege to serve as your healthcare provider.

Regards,

The physicians and staff of Carolina Family Practice & Sports Medicine

See the link below for the full article.

 http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/05/19/2076699/sanderson-soccer-goalie-battles.html

Since his death, high schools across the country have been questioning and re-addressing how they manage sports-related concussions. 

On January 29, a full-length documentary titled “Big Hits, Broken Dreams” will examine the risks associated with these injuries.

Click here for a preview.

See the complete position statement here.

NY Times

Report Indicates an Increase in Concussion Awareness

With the dawn of a new season, Major League Baseball is instituting new guidelines in how concussions are managed among players AND umpires.  

As the understanding and management of this injury continues to evolve, it is reassuring that professional sports organizations are taking steps to protect their own.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/02/775061/brain-doctors-issue-warning.html