Concussion Treatment at UPMC Altoona

Concussions are traumatic brain injuries that can happen to anyone, anywhere - on the road, at work, at home, or on the playing field. Getting prompt and effective clinical treatment by a health professional trained in concussion management is crucial to recovery.

Experts at UPMC Altoona Elite Orthopaedics, in consultation with the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, provide diagnosis and active treatment for a range of concussion-related symptoms in people of all ages, providing a seamless continuum of care to each member of our team.

Contact UPMC Altoona About Orthopaedic Services

To make an appointment or for more information about our orthopaedic and concussion services, call 814-889-3600.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

In diagnosing and evaluating a concussion, experience matters. We know there are six different types of concussions that account for more than 20 symptoms. Our concussion experts will evaluate the severity of your concussion by reviewing your medical history and doing a thorough physical exam of your symptoms, balance, and physical condition.

We will:

• Assess head injuries with thorough interviews, exams, and tests.
• Conduct neurocognitive testing using ImPACT® (Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) and other brain function tests.
• Use this data to create a tailored concussion treatment and management plan.

If you play sports, it’s important to take a baseline concussion test before the start of your sports season, as this provides a comparison tool for experts when you take the test again after a suspected concussion.

Expert Concussion Treatment

The best treatment for a concussion is an active approach that trains your brain to readapt to stimuli like light, noise, and motion. Our team develops a personalized treatment plan based on your specific symptoms and goals so that you get back to doing what you love safer and sooner. To help manage and treat your concussion, we:

• May prescribe physical or exertional therapy, or use behavior management methods.
• May refer you for a medication consult for chronic symptoms. Not all concussion cases require medicine, but it is useful in complex cases.
• May order imaging scans to rule out any bleeding in the brain. Imaging can also give us insight as to why your symptoms may be getting worse.
• Will reassess you often to promote successful rehab and recovery.