Comprehensive Concussion Care

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury that affects how your brain works. It can happen when your brain gets bounced around in your skull after a fall or hit to the head. Athletes are especially susceptible to concussions because of the physical nature of sports.

Playing or practicing with a concussion is dangerous and can put you at risk for more serious injury to your brain and even death. If you think you or someone you know may have a concussion, you should be seen by a medical professional who is trained to screen for and manage concussions as soon as possible.

• Headache
• Feeling dizzy, sluggish or foggy
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Double or blurry vision
• Vomiting or nausea

• Trouble focusing or remembering
• Depression or feeling "down"
• Confusion
• Trouble sleeping

C3Logix System

McFarland Sports Medicine uses the C3Logix System to manage concussion treatment from Baseline Testing to Post-concussion Screening and Return to Play. Developed and tested by researchers at Cleveland Clinic, C3Logix uses modern technology to test your baseline brain activity during your sport's preseason. In the event of a concussion, your brain activity is compared to your baseline reading to assess your readiness to return to play.

Baseline Testing

An athlete who sustains a concussion can see more benefit in their recovery if they have had a baseline screening of their brain activity during their sport's preseason. Baseline testing is recommended once every two years. McFarland Sports Medicine offers baseline testing for $10 cash. (Groups may contact us for lower group rates.) To request a baseline screening at McFarland Sports Medicine, complete our online form or call us at 515-239-3410.

Concussed athletes who have not received a baseline test will have their brain activity compared to age-based norms.

Post-concussion Screening

McFarland Sports Medicine offers assessments include a range of tests developed and approved by medical professionals from around the world. They include:

• Standardized Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT)
• Reaction Time
• Visual Motor Processing
• Balance Error Scoring System (BESS)
• Vestibular-Objective Testing

Return to Play

The Return to Play program is designed to ensure athletes who have sustained a concussion are ready to safely participate in competition. The step-by-step program takes a minimum of five to seven days and may take longer if concussion symptoms return. Your trained sports medicine professional will tell you when it is safe to return to play.