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Concussion Clinic
A concussion is a brain injury that usually is caused by a direct blow to the head or face, such as a sports injury or bad fall from a bike. Concussions are a common but often misunderstood injury in children.
Symptoms of a concussion
Concussion evaluation
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About us
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin offers the state's only Concussion Clinic for kids and young adults, up to age 22. Our pediatric sports medicine specialists evaluate children's injuries and offer guidance and education to ensure it's safe for them to return to regular activities, such as school, driving, physical activity or sports.
Many concussions are mild, but all concussions potentially are serious and may result in complications. These range from prolonged symptoms, difficulty with school, mood swings or even death, if not managed properly. Medical evaluation and treatment of every concussion and its symptoms is very important.
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Symptoms of a concussion
- Mental:
- Headache.
- Confusion, feeling mentally foggy or impaired consciousness.
- Seeing stars or flashing lights.
- Poor concentration and attention.
- Memory loss.
- Physical:
- Vacant or glassy-eyed stare.
- Double or blurry vision.
- Poor balance and coordination.
- Dizziness.
- Fatigue.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Incoherent speech.
- Ringing in ears.
- Behavioral:
- Inappropriate play on the field (running the wrong way).
- Mood swings.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Irritability, changes in personality, nervousness or sadness.
- Impaired academic performance.
A child can still have a concussion even if he or she was not knocked out. Most concussions do not involve loss of consciousness. Depending on the severity, concussion symptoms may last anywhere from 10 or 15 minutes to several months. In addition, a child can have a normal CT scan and still have a concussion.
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 Concussion evaluation
A pediatric sports medicine specialist evaluates each child. This includes a complete review of the child's injuries and symptoms, along with a thorough physical exam.
Children's Hospital uses ImPACT,TM a computerized test designed to help diagnose and evaluate the injury. The test checks:
- Verbal and visual memory.
- Attention span.
- Brain processing speed.
- Reaction time.
The test results and treatment plan will be discussed with parents.
During each follow-up visit, we will evaluate the treatment plan and offer help with managing symptoms, functioning at school and ability to drive. We also will provide a timeline for returning to regular activities and sports.
Some kids also may need a MRI or to be seen by a pediatric neurologist or neuropsychologist. Our pediatric sports medicine specialists will provide referrals as needed.
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Contact us
To make an appointment in the Concussion Clinic, call Central Scheduling at (414) 607-5280 or toll-free (877) 607-5280.
Appointments also are available at our new Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Clinics-Greenway in Greenfield.
Children's Hospital is a founding member of the Wisconsin Sports Concussion Collaborative, a non-profit organization designed to enhance the health, safety and academic performance of Wisconsin student athletes by improving the identification, diagnosis and treatment of concussions.
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