Henry Ford Hospital Opens Sports Concussion Clinic

Detroit, MI – Henry Ford Hospital has launched a weekly sports concussion clinic for student athletes who have recently experienced a concussion.

The Henry Ford Sports Concussion Clinic team includes a primary care sports medicine specialist, a neuropsychologist and a certified athletic trainer, who together determine the proper treatment plan for young athletes who have a concussion from a sports-related spine or brain injury.

“The specialized clinic is designed specifically for athletes who may have gotten a concussion while playing sports, regardless of their level of competition,” says Kenneth Podell, Ph.D., director, Division of Neuropsychology, and co-director of the clinic.

“Our goal is to return these athletes to competition as quickly and safely as possible,” adds Dr. Podell, consulting neuropsychologist to The Detroit Lions, Red Wings and Tigers and for Major League Baseball.

Concussions can be caused by a fall, a bump or blow to the head or body during contact sports and can happen even if the athlete does not lose consciousness. Nearly 3.8 million sports- and recreational-related concussions occur each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The team approach allows the athlete to be evaluated and receive an individual treatment plan all in one convenient visit. The team utilizes computer technology to make a precise diagnosis of concussions, which in turn leads to better treatment plans for athletes and safe return to their sport.

The technology allows physicians to analyze the patient’s memory, reaction time, symptoms and other crucial brain functions in order to determine how the brain has been affected by concussion.

“A treatment plan is then created that lays out a step-by-step approach to that ultimate goal of having the athlete safely return to play,” says Brett Martin, D.O., primary care sports medicine specialist and co-director of the clinic. “Returning to play too early can put the athlete at high risk for long-term problems should a secondary injury occur.”

Treatment plans may include neurological consultation, neuro-imaging, physical therapy and/or medications, including a customized home program of exercises or stretches as well as follow-up or return-to-play instructions.

The Henry Ford Sports Concussion Clinic will be held from 3 – 5 p.m. every Tuesday, beginning April 27, at the William Clay Ford Center for Athletic Medicine, 6526 Second Avenue in Detroit.

To make an appointment for the comprehensive clinic or an appointment with an individual physician on another day, time or location, call (313) 972-4216.