Returning to play after a head injury during a sporting event

The American Academy of Neurology recommends the following guidelines for returning to play after a concussion sustained during a sporting event. The guidelines assume that the player has been evaluated by a doctor both right after the injury and again before returning to play. They are not intended to be used by the coaching staff.

**When to return to play after a concussion during a sporting event**
Grade of concussion	Number of concussions	Time until return to play
Grade 1 Brief confusion No loss of consciousness Symptoms of concussion that return to normal after less than 15 minutes	1	Same day
	2 or more	1 week
Grade 2 Brief confusion No loss of consciousness Symptoms of concussion that last longer than 15 minutes	1	1 week
	2 or more	2 weeks
Grade 3 Any loss of consciousness	1 brief (seconds)	1 week
	1 prolonged (minutes)	2 weeks
	More than 1	4 weeks or longer, based on decision of doctor

For more information, see the American Academy of Neurology Web site at www.thebrainmatters.org or the Brain Injury Association Web site at www.biausa.org.

Credits

Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Updated	July 9, 2008