Computers Helping Prevent Athlete Concussions

Concussions are dangerous and can even be deadly if not detected and treated.

That's why St. Elizabeth and Nebraska Orthopedic and Sports Medicine are teaming up to try and prevent the injury.

Dr. Daniel Tomes, St. Elizabeth Neurosurgeon, says, "We're trying to keep it more local to where the kids don't have to always travel to see a specialist to get them to where they can have that much quicker care."

Doctors are learning about a computer-based neurological test called "Impact" -- basically, it's used to test the memory of athletes. One part of the test shows an athlete multiple images and then asks whether a certain image was previously shown.

Dr. Scott Strasburger, University of Nebraska Team Physician, says, "What we're able to do with this testing is evaluate where the athlete is pre-injury and then determine when he can go back and play when he can test out at a score similar to where he was."

A few Lincoln schools are already using the program but now St. Elizabeth is providing the service to all high school athletes in the city.

Strasburger says, "This program certainly gives us a standard that we can apply to everyone and make the determination whether an athlete is ready to go back much more easier for all of us."

This fall, 4,500 athletes will complete baseline testing to keep on record in the unlikely event of a concussion. Doctors say prevention is the name of the game.

Tomes says, "If we can find something with these individuals that says it's just not right to get back to play, let's get them better first, get them feeling good so when they go out and play they're at their full speed."

Strasburger says, "We've seen kids with some catastrophic injuries in the past couple years that are unavoidable but we're trying to avoid the second, third, and fourth injuries."

Keeping doctors, as well as the athletes, always on their toes.

Nearly 30 physicians learned how to use the program, and it's not just here in Lincoln.

There are 42 schools statewide participating.

On a higher level, all NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB teams use the impact program.

Numerous Division 1 college sports also take part.

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