U-M Doctor: Still A Lot Of Misinformation Regarding Sports Concussions
ANN ARBOR (WWJ) -- Concussions have been linked as the source behind brain damage and suicides of some professional athletes, but one local neurologist says that too much fear is focused on concussions.
University of Michigan sports neurologist Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher has treated athletes at all levels and said that while there has been an increase in concussion education and awareness, there is still a lot of misinformation.
"People use that term and you end up talking about depression, suicide and long-term effects, well none of that is actually a concussion, that's a different thing all together," Kutcher said.
Kutcher wants to urge people to speak with experts and learn the facts about the condition, so that a fear of concussions won't keep children and adults from participating in sports and other activities.
"The frank reality is that if concussions are diagnosed and cared for appropriately -- by that I mean in a comprehensive neurologic fashion -- the vast majority, the overwhelming majority of patients will go on to return to their sport without any difficulty whatsoever," Kutcher said.
Kutcher is slated to speak about the issue at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin March 13 through 15.