What is Second Impact Syndrome?
Second Impact Syndrome occurs when a person suffers a second concussion before the symptoms of the first one have subsided. Specifically, in this condition the brain swells rapidly and catastrophically. Sometimes, even fatally. At least 50% of people with Second Impact Syndrome die, and 100% are permanently impaired.
Once a first concussion had been sustained, the brain becomes much more sensitive to further damage. In fact, if the victim has not yet recovered from the first concussion, a shake, mild blow, or fall, even without a direct hit to the head, can start the process of Second Impact Syndrome. This is why WHEN IN DOUBT, SIT IT OUT is so important. If there is any possibility of a concussion, it is critical to avoid a second impact of any kind.
Preventing Second Impact Syndrome
Our athletic trainers work with local schools to establish and enforce a protocol requiring at least seven days off from contact sports following an initial concussion. This allows time for the brain to heal, reducing the risk for a second concussion. For this reason, Jenna’s Law, an extension of Max’s Law, legislated against immediate return to play after a concussion. The result is a marked decrease in the number of students developing Second Impact Syndrome. In fact, Second Impact Syndrome is now extremely rare, thanks to greatly improved concussion recognition and care.
References
Robert C. Cantu, SECOND-IMPACT SYNDROME, Clinics in Sports Medicine, Volume 17, Issue 1, 1998, Pages 37-44, ISSN 0278-5919, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0278-5919(05)70059-4. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278591905700594)
Martineau, Chad PA-C, ATC; Kingma, Jackie J. MS, ATC, PA-C, PT; Bank, Laura PhD, PA-C; McLeod, Tamara C. Valovich PhD, ATC Guidelines for treatment of sport-related concussions, Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants: May 2007 – Volume 20 – Issue 5 – p 22-28
Bey, MD, T., Ostick, MD, B. (2009). Second Impact Syndrome. West J Emerg Med. 2009 Feb; 10(1): 6–10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2672291/
