The Center offers comprehensive assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation services for individuals who have had a concussion. We care for children, adolescents, and adults who have sustained concussions while playing sports or in daily life.
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. It is a serious condition that requires specialized medical expertise. The majority of concussions are not associated with a loss of consciousness. After an injury to the head, a person with a concussion may not be able to recall events around the injury time, may appear dazed or stunned, be confused, move clumsily, speak slowly, or have other behavior changes. Other concussion symptoms include headache, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, dizziness, confusion, and changes in attention, concentration, and/or memory.
If you suspect you, or your child, has a concussion, you do not need to make an appointment. Walk-in appointments are available between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at The Center in Bend. If you have already been diagnosed with a concussion by a healthcare professional, but need additional concussion care for lingering symptoms, call 541-382-7329 to make an appointment.
At the first appointment, the patient will be evaluated by a neurosurgeon or physical medicine and rehabilitation provider, trained in concussion management. Patients will leave with a customized plan to get them back to activity. The appointment may include:
For ongoing concussion management The Center holds concussion clinics to help patients manage the symptoms that can linger for months after their injury.
The Center coordinates care with athletic trainers, providers from High Desert Education Service District (HDESD), neuropsychologists, neurooptometry, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. For more information, ask your primary care provider or call The Center at 541-382-3344.
When a student has a concussion, it’s critical that the school staff knows what to do to ensure the student’s best chance of concussion recovery. The Center interfaces with the athletic trainers in Bend, La Pine, Crook County, Sisters, and Madras high schools, this allows us to implement our concussion treatment protocols within the high schools. Often times, the follow-up post-injury testing can be done at the high school. When a younger child has a concussion, we keep in close touch with school nurses and counselors. If there are more complex needs, we work closely with High Desert Education Service District (HDESD) to ensure that we provide collaborative support.
Virginia Tech has done extensive research to help parents evaluate youth helmets. Click below to view their ratings*.
*This information is for informational purposes only. The Center does not recommend any specific helmet type. Any player in any sport can sustain a head injury with even the very best head protection.
PEDIATRIC BASELINE TESTING
The Center offers pediatric baseline concussion testing to assess and manage injuries in children ages 5-11. ImPACT pediatric is a pre and post-injury neurocognitive test administered on an iPad.
Baseline testing is done before a child experiences a brain injury, so if a concussion is suspected, our providers have objective data, along with other tests of balance, oculomotor, and vestibular processes to measure the extent of the injury and create a treatment plan. High-impact sports such as hockey, football, lacrosse, soccer, snowboarding, and skiing carry an increased risk of concussion. For children participating in any activities where they may experience head trauma, baseline testing is highly encouraged.
Concussion signs and symptoms can differ from child to child, and may not occur for days or weeks after the injury. Parents and coaches should be aware and learn what to look for in the event of a head injury. If a concussion has occurred, and the child does not receive treatment, consequences can be severe.
If you suspect your child has a concussion, and he or she has received baseline testing through the ImPACT Pediatric test at The Center, he or she will be established as a patient and their care will be streamlined. The child can be evaluated at one of our walk-in NOWcare clinics (Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 4:00) by a provider with specialized training in concussion management.
The cost for the baseline test is $40. Unfortunately, most health plans do not cover the cost. There is no additional fee for the post-test. That is included in the follow-up appointment with a physician, if necessary. For more information, or to schedule, call 541-322-2214.
For more information on concussion, visit these websites:
Click below to download the slides from the Concussion Doc Talk.
