Catastrophic Brain Injuries Hit All-Time High in High School Football

For each of the past 20 years, the number of football-related brain injuries resulting in permanent disability at the high school level has remained in the single digits. But now, experts say the tally has risen to as high as 13 in recent years, which is the highest number on record since scientists began collecting catastrophic brain injury data.

Most of the catastrophic injuries are caused by head-to-head contact, such as face tackling or spearing tackles. Head-to-head contact has been prohibited across all levels of sports but still sometimes occurs. In these types of tackles, the head is the first and primary contact point with an opposing player, which can result in cervical spine fracture or permanent brain injuries.

Nearly 1.1 million high school athletes condition, practice, and play in football games each year. Sports medicine experts at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists say there are preventative steps that players, coaches, parents, and athletic directors can take to keep athletes safe throughout the season.

“It’s important for coaches to be familiar with the warning signs and symptoms of concussions, including headaches, dizziness, and nausea, and pull players from a game if they notice any of those signs,” explains Dr. Eric W. Nelson, sports medicine specialist at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists.

Players exhibiting any of those signs should stay off the field until a sports medicine doctor clears them for play, and coaches should emphasize to teams that the head should not be used in tackling or blocking.

If you have any questions regarding how to stay safe and avoid injury on the field, call one of our sports medicine doctors at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists at (320) 335-6078.