Opinion Concussion: Why Stef shouldn't play this weekend

[TheGoldenBoy]

Hey guys,

Would love your feedback on this.

I can't help but think that a week off will do Stef a world of good after last weekend's hit from May. Especially after the news of Clarke at the beginning of the season.

http://www.fansunite.com.au/2016/04/21/31452/fans-need-to-stop-being-ignorant-on-concussion

 

[Ironmonger]

Doctor makes the call. Simple as that.

 

[TheGoldenBoy]

Doctor makes the call. Simple as that.

While the doctors make the call, and I respect that, but doesn't mean it's the right one.

 

[M Malice]

this has been discussed on the lions board a bit, i think fans who do not have a background in medicine or have some sort of detailed knowledge of concussion and its side affects need to leave it to the experts. fair enough give an opinion on an online forum but don't pretend to know what you are talking about it you don't have the requisite background.

something i posted earlier re. a couple of AFL commentators saying martin shouldn't play.

i think our doctor, referred specialists and re hab staff might know a little more about concussion and its after effects than mclure or watson.

concussion is not a one size fits all, people are affected in different ways and degrees. the lions will not risk him, if he plays i am 100% confident he will be fine.

should we start a thread giving our opinion on cancer treatment?

 

[TheGoldenBoy]

this has been discussed on the lions board a bit, i think fans who do not have a background in medicine or have some sort of detailed knowledge of concussion and its side affects need to leave it to the experts. fair enough give an opinion on an online forum but don't pretend to know what you are talking about it you don't have the requisite background.

something i posted earlier re. a couple of AFL commentators saying martin shouldn't play.



should we start a thread giving our opinion on cancer treatment?

Sorry, but did you read the article at all?

I've been through seven concussion myself and my last one was when I was 18. I'm now 24 and STILL suffering from symptoms suffered from those knocks, so I've got a relatively good idea about the subject.

 

[dlanod]

Hey guys,

Would love your feedback on this.

I can't help but think that a week off will do Stef a world of good after last weekend's hit from May. Especially after the news of Clarke at the beginning of the season.

http://www.fansunite.com.au/2016/04/21/31452/fans-need-to-stop-being-ignorant-on-concussion

I'm also not convinced fans know better than doctors.

I was in a neck brace for a day, and later that week went to the doctors for a check-up where they advised me not to play football anymore.

I said, "Doc, that's not happening. I'm playing football"

Her response put it right into perspective. "Well, if you take one more hit, no matter how big or small, you could receive permanent damage or worse case scenario, end up dead".

And that was that.

The doctor was listened to. The system worked.

Lewis admits that he should never have played the following week and admitted to feeling affects throughout the week leading up to the game after.

Then he's an idiot for fronting up. No one thinks less of a player these days for not playing due to concussion.

Just because the author (you?) had some concussions doesn't mean his opinion applies to all or even any other cases. If the player is exhibiting no symptoms and the doctors have cleared them, there's no evidence that extra time makes any difference, beyond anecdotal otherwise I assume the author would have included that. If Martin is concealing symptoms he's a twit but I don't think that would be the case at the Lions - not when we've seen Brown, Maguire and Clarke all forced into retirement due to concussions. The club would be acutely aware of the dangers, and probably moreso than any other club.

 

[Skoob]

Hey guys,

Would love your feedback on this.

I can't help but think that a week off will do Stef a world of good after last weekend's hit from May. Especially after the news of Clarke at the beginning of the season.

http://www.fansunite.com.au/2016/04/21/31452/fans-need-to-stop-being-ignorant-on-concussion

The issue I have with that article is this;

I respect all club doctors and their opinions, but I can't help but think that a week off after suffering a concussion, especially to the severity of Martin, will do the players a world of good.

This is based on no medical fact (or he has been to lazy to include it).
I actually think the author has done his article a real disservice by apparently not looking into it fully or properly. He hasn't mentioned any research, either his own or scientific into risks for those cleared of symptoms almost immediately. Does a week off benefit the player? I can't say, but until there is evidence to suggest that, I can only believe each case has to be assessed on its own facts.

 

[M Malice]

Sorry, but did you read the article at all?

I've been through seven concussion myself and my last one was when I was 18. I'm now 24 and STILL suffering from symptoms suffered from those knocks, so I've got a relatively good idea about the subject.

no i did not, will read it a bit later, though i don't think it will change my view and as i said in my post if you have some sort of knowledge re concussion (as you have) then you have more than me to put up an argument re concussion.

your experiences can not be used as a case against stef playing as i am sure you agree not all concussions are the same.

 

[James North]

Not all concussions are the same, but all require a great deal of scrutiny and care by doctors.

I believe the doctors are the ones who make the decision whether he's right to play, and that's what's happening.

 

[TheGoldenBoy]

no i did not, will read it a bit later, though i don't think it will change my view and as i said in my post if you have some sort of knowledge re concussion (as you have) then you have more than me to put up an argument re concussion.

your experiences can not be used as a case against stef playing as i am sure you agree not all concussions are the same.

Yes I've stated that in my article that not all concussions are the same and understand that.

Thanks for your feedback

 

[Happy_Neale]

Does anyone think we would be stupid enough to play him if he isn't right? Honestly, so many armchair experts coming out the woodwork recently. I am all for increased scrutiny regarding concussions but some people need to understand that the doctor makes the call based on pretty comprehensive tests throughout the week.

 

[M Malice]

just read your article TheGoldenBoy, well written. i hope you fully recover in time if that is possible. that lewis incident was bad, i wonder if he kept his symptoms from his club doctor, if the doctor knew that does not reflect well on him.

 

[TheGoldenBoy]

just read your article TheGoldenBoy, well written. i hope you fully recover in time if that is possible. that lewis incident was bad, i wonder if he kept his symptoms from his club doctor, if the doctor knew that does not reflect well on him.

Cheers jason pm I'm doing okay. More worse off than I am.

 

[M Malice]

Cheers jason pm I'm doing okay. More worse off than I am.

you final concussion was a few years ago now so not quite the concern there is now re concussion although i am curious, you had 7 concussions in total. if you don't mind i have a few questions.
did you receive medical attention or advice for any of the other 6 concussions?
if so what was their advice and did you follow it?
did you play the week after the previous concussions?
did the side affects get progressively worse as you suffered more or where you fine up until the last one?

i hope your parents don't feel too much guilt re your situation.

 

[TheGoldenBoy]

you final concussion was a few years ago now so not quite the concern there is now re concussion although i am curious, you had 7 concussions in total. if you don't mind i have a few questions.
did you receive medical attention or advice for any of the other 6 concussions?
if so what was their advice and did you follow it?
did you play the week after the previous concussions?
did the side affects get progressively worse as you suffered more or where you fine up until the last one?

i hope your parents don't feel too much guilt re your situation.

Sure.

did you receive medical attention or advice for any of the other 6 concussions?

Yes I did. 6th one wasn't so serious, I didn't lose consciousness but was left dazed and struggled to get up off the ground. Was assisted from the ground and didn't play this week. Missed an final round elimination final (winner played finals) which we unfortunately lost.

if so what was their advice and did you follow it?

At times I did. After my first one, the parents were pretty hesitant to let me play the following week after I was in hospital, spewing my guts up. Doctors advised that it was my/parents decision if I wanted to play the next week. There was one time the doctor told me to take the week off training but I disobeyed that and paid the price. Left the track quite dizzy again.

did you play the week after the previous concussions?

I never played the next week after suffering a concussion.

did the side affects get progressively worse as you suffered more or where you fine up until the last one?

I think they've just all built up over time and got progressively worse. I mean they're not a point where i'm going to suffer a severe brain injury (I mean I hope not, still a possibility, but at this stage, it's not there).

Parents are fine. They didn't have an option because they knew I loved my footy and it's something that I always enjoyed doing. Once I got to an age where I could make decisions for myself and had that one on one with the doctor, is when I realised that a tough decision had to be made.

 

[JasRulz63]

Issue with this is that if you're going to make rules like this, they need to be evidence-based. Why only on week? Why not a month? Well one week is surely better than none, so why not four weeks?

This might be worth a read if you're interested, it's the latest statement on the concussion in sport based on decisions made during the international conference of concussion in sport.
http://m.bjsm.bmj.com/content/47/5/250.full

There's a section regarding the consensus regarding the process to return to play.

 

[WA Lion]

While the doctors make the call, and I respect that, but doesn't mean it's the right one.

one of the most ridiculous comments I have heard. If you don't trust the opinion of a medical professional who do you trust? A fan that doesn't know anything about brain injuries? Leave it to the medical professional

Edit - Fan comment not directed at you by the way!

Medical decisions should be left to medical practitioners - simple as that

 

[dlanod]

Medical decisions should be left to medical practitioners - simple as that

Caveat: second opinions are great. We've seen too many conflicts of interest with club-hired medical practitioners across various sports.

 

[WA Lion]

Caveat: second opinions are great. We've seen too many conflicts of interest with club-hired medical practitioners across various sports.

as long as they are qualified to give the opinion absolutely agree, particularly with concussion which can be so varied

 

[chopperduck]

Perhaps with concussion and the like the AFL needs to have their own independent dr that needs to clear the player before they return. Once a player gets a concussion they need clearance from the club and AFL medical staff before they can play in an AFL sanctioned match.

 

[matwt73]

I think it is the dr's call.

I also don't think there should be any hard and fast rules. Mandatory week off might be correct in 70% of cases, but it might also mean some of those 30% are coming back to soon. I like the idea of an independent AFL Dr though, because clubs have a vested interest in the outcome of the test.

 

[Milux]

While the doctors make the call, and I respect that, but doesn't mean it's the right one.

Doctors have more of an idea then anyone. And they have the sole focus of player health and couldnt give a toss about the scoreboard.

If doc says he is right. Im happy with that.

 

[luthor]

Doctor's call.

However, whilst I have absolutely no doubt that a Club doctor would not compromise professional standards, assessment from an independent doctor would ensure that a decision would be seen to be fair and unbiased.

So I'm with matwt73 on this.



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[Elixuh]

Leave it to the doctors to look after the players best interests health-wise.

Choppers idea about an independent AFL Dr to assess players would come before a blanket rule which saw players sit out a week or for however long.

 

[winged1]

Well as Leppa said just because they pass the concussion test doesnt mean they will play. Goose passed the concussion test but still wasnt moving well, that is why Martin had to train fully and have no issues getting through training. He passed the concussion test, doctor passed him, he got through training. Could he still be knocked out on the weekend, of course, anybody could be.