Month: February 2015

Dr. Gifford-Jones Opinion Article (9/30/2010)

Dustin Fink1 Comment

Originally posted on The Concussion Blog in September of 2010…

If you are reading this from Canada you know Dr. Gifford-Jones.  If not, you probably do not.  He is a doctor that has his opinions and editorials published across Canadian newspapers.  His most recent, about concussions is so good I am going to post the entire thing here.  Thank you to The Expositor.

Do you know how much trauma the human brain sustains in contact sports? Unless you’re a concussion specialist, few parents, coaches, athletes or even doctors have much knowledge about the extent of this injury. Concussion is like sugar and salt. Few people are aware of the amount they’re receiving, and all three can be lethal.

Recently, 28 million people watched as the Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Stewart Bradley collapsed on the field. Players frantically called for medical help. To everyone’s surprise Bradley, after a mere four minutes, was back in the game. At half-time, doctors diagnosed his condition as concussion.Later, critics asked why Bradley was not immediately removed from the game. The lame excuse was that a sideline examination showed no concussion. Moreover, Continue reading →

2015, A Transition Year for The Concussion Blog

Dustin Fink5 Comments

Exactly what this transition will be is yet to be determined…

As time has passed since starting this blog in 2010 I have traversed many topics, many places and many relationships using concussions as a conduit.  I must say it has been overwhelmingly positive and beneficial; I can only hope it has been the same for those on the other end.

When I and we began there were many unknowns — plenty still remain — and much misinformation about concussions hence the starting of this monster.  The spotlight shifted to this issue in sports and life around 2011-12 and has since taken a life of its own.  As we have gained information into this debate, injury and recovery this blog has lost a lot of its unique luster, to me as the sole provider of content.  Over the time of this blog there has been great interest into my insight and ability to communicate which has spawned many opportunities for me, for which I am grateful.  I also feel this blog and the work put in here by me and others has contributed to the overall increase in awareness and other information sources on this topic.

I still have the passion for this niche in sports medicine and general education of the public and those that are seeking it.  I welcome all the emails and the contact for those that deem my intuition and expertise on this matter valuable; I will not turn away a chance to set the record straight or give my opinion on something related to concussions.

However, I have realized that I do not have the time or impetus to continually blog (as if it wasn’t obvious by my lack of posts over the past few months).  There are many factors playing into this and if you care to know Continue reading →