Scal Out For March, KG Jogging

You kill yourself for 82 regular season games over something that the other team can take away in one playoff game. Let’s be the other team this year and focus on stealing home court during the playoffs.

how can we be hopeful about him being here for the playoffs when he’s had 3 concussions in one season, this is career ending stuff.

I think there is some confusion over what appears to be incorrect terminology. Brian is, from what I can tell, experiencing post-concussive SYMPTOMS. Post-concussive SYNDROME is different. The first involves normal sequelae from brain trauma while the latter involves the persistence of symptoms beyond a three month period (not due to repeated concussions). Most symptoms from mild traumatic brain injury resolve relatively quickly (days to months depending on various factors). Typically, only 10-20% of folks have symptoms lasting longer, and as someone else mentioned, many of these folks have secondary incentives (litigation) that likely account for symptom persistence. Psychiatric overlay may account for much of the rest as the person believes symptoms are due to the concussion rather than depression or anxiety.

For several reasons, athletes are well known to recover quicker than the general population. They are in peek physical condition, have immediate access to the best healthcare, and most of all, they stand to lose a great deal if out for any extended period of time. They are notorious for attempting to return to soon due to the pressures placed on them, and are often more than willing to risk health if needed (pressure to use steroids is another example of this behavior).

As we (those in neurology and neuropsychology) have become more aware of the culture and pressures faced by athletes to return quickly, we are now pretty good at identifying problems and preventing them from returning too quickly (although admittedly basketball is WAY behind football and hockey in this regard). Thus, I doubt Scal came back too soon. The problem is he just keeps getting concussed after returning. The problem with that is every time there is a concussion; it causes a disruption in the brain’s ability to regulate neurotransmitters and to effectively metabolize glucose, oxygen, and other nutrients needed to work properly. Only rest over time can help the recovery process, although various treatments to increase recovery rates are being researched. There is a prominent theory that each concussion lowers your threshold to recover from a subsequent concussion, especially if not fully recovered from the previous one. Thus, each subsequent is concussion becomes more severe than it would otherwise be, and recovery takes much longer. There is also greater likelihood that symptoms will become chronic and greater risk of developing dementia later in life. End of diatribe.

Sorry for the typos. I was typing quickly as I am at work.

after reading all that I agree with above posts, Brian Scalabrine should not come back this year. Not because he may not be recovered, here’s hoping he will be fine (symptom free) soon enough. He should stay out BECAUSE HE MIGHT WELL GET HIT AGAIN< AND THAT ONE MAY BE ONE TOO MANY TOO SOON> and cause his brain to cross that “threshold” of permanent damage. From what Jon wrote about concussions, I think Scal would be vulnerable for six to 12 months while he gets back to solid again, not just symptom free.