Doctor Counseling Male Patient

The doctors at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program have identified six different clinical trajectories (types) of concussion and developed unique treatment plans individualized for each trajectory. Our doctors believe in an active therapy specialized for the patient to fully rehabilitate and treat concussion.

Learn about our model for understanding concussion assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Cognitive/ Fatigue

Concussion 360 COGNITIVE TRAJECTORY

Cognitive difficulties include decreased concentration, increased distractibility, difficulty learning/retaining new information, or decreased multitasking abilities. Sometimes accompanied by increased fatigue as the day progresses.

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Vestibular

Concussion 360_VESTIBULAR TRAJECTORY

Impairments of the vestibular system — the balance center of the brain — affect one’s ability to interpret motion, coordinate head and eye movements, or stabilize vision upon head movement.

Ocular

Ocular dysfunction occurs when the movement of the eyes in tandem, or binocular eye movement, is affected. This may result in difficulties bringing the eyes together, or moving one’s eyes to track motion.

Concussion 360 OCULAR TRAJECTORY

Post-Traumatic Migraine

Post-traumatic migraine symptoms include headaches, nausea, and/or sensitivity to light or noise.

Concussion 360 POST TRAUMA MIGRAINE TRAJECTORY

Anxiety/Mood

This occurs when someone has a hard time turning his or her thoughts off, being particularly ruminative, or suffering from excessive worry or concern.

Concussion 360_ANXIETY

About Sports Medicine

An athletic lifestyle carries the potential for injury. Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, UPMC Sports Medicine can help. If you are looking to prevent, treat, or rehabilitate a sports injury, our multidisciplinary team of experts can help you get back into the game. If you are seeking to improve your athletic performance, we can work with you to meet your goals. We serve athletes and active people of all ages and experience levels. Our goal is to help you keep doing what you love. Visit our website to find a specialist near you.