And look at the Dementia related deaths in football , widely being linked to heading the ball, Jack Charlton, Jeff Astle, Nobby Stiles

In the US, the NFL paid $755 million to settle claims relating to ‘the league’s once lackadaisical approach to concussions and head injuries.’


https://www.brain-injury-law-.com ... y-lawsuit/

And look at the Dementia related deaths in football , widely being linked to heading the ball, Jack Charlton, Jeff Astle, Nobby Stiles

In the US, the NFL paid $755 million to settle claims relating to ‘the league’s once lackadaisical approach to concussions and head injuries.’


https://www.brain-injury-law-.com ... y-lawsuit/

Firstly, that is not a medical journal.

Secondly, the majority of those players have sustained multiple concussive events, some over short periods of time.

Thirdly, what is being described falls within the bracket of post concussive of post concussion syndrome. Although technically not many medics like that tag or diagnosis any longer. PCS usually involves lingering effects post concussive event. Normally headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Symptoms can last days, weeks or indefinitely in some cases. Normally the treatment is rest, although medical evidence suggests that can actually prolong the psychological elements of PCS. The significance of any singular concussive event is not thought to determine the likelihood of if you go in to develop PCS or not. Theoretically anybody who sustains a concussive event can at risk of developing PCS, several of the symptoms mirror those of anxiety, depression and post traumatic stress disorder. Some medical specialists in the field believe those with pre-existing psychiatric conditions are more likely to develop PCS. If you have ongoing effects of PCS or want to avoid a further concussive event then you avoid contact sport injuries.

Fourthly, any concussive event is theoretically a mild traumatic brain injury. It normally has a concussion lasting a couple of seconds or no concussion at all. I have sustained a mild traumatic brain injury as I have been knocked out before or banged my head and felt dazed for a short period. Moderate or serious traumatic brain injuries fulfil criteria I set out in my previous post. Mayo classification being one of the more popular measurement tools, the other being Glasgow coma score/scale out of 15.

There is such a difference between contact sport concussive events, lingering PCS symptoms and avoiding further injury by not playing any more and a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. The first probably has some element of psychological overlay and is a preventative method to avoid further or repeated trauma. The second is a significant traumatic event that most likely causes irreversible structural damage to your brain. That damage causes a whole myriad of differing symptoms. Yes some of those symptoms will be like those from PCS but there will be other far more intrusive. There is probably a clear organic reason for the ongoing symptoms. Usually the cognitive impact will be assessed via neuropsychological testing.

Ward and other players have had concussive events, more medical testing is needed on that. However my point still stands in that he didn’t sustain multiple concussive events in a short time, he didn’t have a concussive event and go back on and have another. RL generally has decent head injury protocol. I don’t know what Ward has, however it seems unlikely given we can work out some of his Mayo classification score he has a moderate or severe brain injury. He has lingering ongoing effects of a concussive event. Yes that is awful, yes it is awful he has to retire but those symptoms are thought to have some basis in psychological issues and the reason for not playing is to ensure you don’t suffer further trauma. If you have a moderate to severe brain injury highly highly unlikely you could even play if you were prepared to take the risk. If you have a serious brain injury I imagine a player who suffered a singular concussive event and retires saying I have a major brain injury would be a bit frustrating as by any medical terminology I don’t think it is that.

The other guy who posted on dementia, that is a totally different neurological condition. Yes repeated heading of a heavy object most likely would increase your risk. Not hugely relevant to ward, RL or this discussion.

Listen I said I think it is awful he has to retire, that any sportsman has to retire, in particular due to any kind of concussion. I have real sympathy for him and all those other players who have retired. Just think it is important some perspective is given on why they are retiring and using the correct terminology to describe what is going on, whilst still accepting it is an evolving area.

Firstly, that is not a medical journal.

Secondly, the majority of those players have sustained multiple concussive events, some over short periods of time.

Thirdly, what is being described falls within the bracket of post concussive of post concussion syndrome. Although technically not many medics like that tag or diagnosis any longer. PCS usually involves lingering effects post concussive event. Normally headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Symptoms can last days, weeks or indefinitely in some cases. Normally the treatment is rest, although medical evidence suggests that can actually prolong the psychological elements of PCS. The significance of any singular concussive event is not thought to determine the likelihood of if you go in to develop PCS or not. Theoretically anybody who sustains a concussive event can at risk of developing PCS, several of the symptoms mirror those of anxiety, depression and post traumatic stress disorder. Some medical specialists in the field believe those with pre-existing psychiatric conditions are more likely to develop PCS. If you have ongoing effects of PCS or want to avoid a further concussive event then you avoid contact sport injuries.

Fourthly, any concussive event is theoretically a mild traumatic brain injury. It normally has a concussion lasting a couple of seconds or no concussion at all. I have sustained a mild traumatic brain injury as I have been knocked out before or banged my head and felt dazed for a short period. Moderate or serious traumatic brain injuries fulfil criteria I set out in my previous post. Mayo classification being one of the more popular measurement tools, the other being Glasgow coma score/scale out of 15.

There is such a difference between contact sport concussive events, lingering PCS symptoms and avoiding further injury by not playing any more and a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. The first probably has some element of psychological overlay and is a preventative method to avoid further or repeated trauma. The second is a significant traumatic event that most likely causes irreversible structural damage to your brain. That damage causes a whole myriad of differing symptoms. Yes some of those symptoms will be like those from PCS but there will be other far more intrusive. There is probably a clear organic reason for the ongoing symptoms. Usually the cognitive impact will be assessed via neuropsychological testing.

Ward and other players have had concussive events, more medical testing is needed on that. However my point still stands in that he didn’t sustain multiple concussive events in a short time, he didn’t have a concussive event and go back on and have another. RL generally has decent head injury protocol. I don’t know what Ward has, however it seems unlikely given we can work out some of his Mayo classification score he has a moderate or severe brain injury. He has lingering ongoing effects of a concussive event. Yes that is awful, yes it is awful he has to retire but those symptoms are thought to have some basis in psychological issues and the reason for not playing is to ensure you don’t suffer further trauma. If you have a moderate to severe brain injury highly highly unlikely you could even play if you were prepared to take the risk. If you have a serious brain injury I imagine a player who suffered a singular concussive event and retires saying I have a major brain injury would be a bit frustrating as by any medical terminology I don’t think it is that.

The other guy who posted on dementia, that is a totally different neurological condition. Yes repeated heading of a heavy object most likely would increase your risk. Not hugely relevant to ward, RL or this discussion.

Listen I said I think it is awful he has to retire, that any sportsman has to retire, in particular due to any kind of concussion. I have real sympathy for him and all those other players who have retired. Just think it is important some perspective is given on why they are retiring and using the correct terminology to describe what is going on, whilst still accepting it is an evolving area.

We keep hearing that the players are getting bigger, faster, the impacts are harder, granted scrums are a different beast in RU, and rucks are another potential collision point in RU, but tackling and the impacts that come in both codes are much the same. So based on that these sorts of stories have to be relevant to all of RL too, as was the NRL payout.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55208227

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55201237

We keep hearing that the players are getting bigger, faster, the impacts are harder, granted scrums are a different beast in RU, and rucks are another potential collision point in RU, but tackling and the impacts that come in both codes are much the same. So based on that these sorts of stories have to be relevant to all of RL too, as was the NRL payout.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55208227

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55201237

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55356802

Thoughts

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55356802

Thoughts