Concussion in Athletes: Information for Team Physicians on the Neurologic Evaluation

The evaluation and management of concussion (ie, mild traumatic brain injury) in athletes is typically the responsibility of team or school physicians. The great majority of these physicians are orthopedists, family physicians, internists, pediatricians, or sports medicine specialists who have not had specialty training in neurology or neurosurgery. The evaluation and management of mild traumatic brain injury is primarily guided by a neurological clinical evaluation of the patient. The purpose of this article is to review relevant aspects of the neurological history and examination as well as the neurological approach to the concussed athlete.