Athletic Training

• Skin Lesion Medical Release (Form)

Any student-athlete that is seen by a physician must return with documentation to be given to the Athletic Trainer. The documentation must include a return to play or clearance date and be signed by the physician. The documentation must also include an injury diagnosis and therapeutic recommendations for the student-athlete. No student-athlete is allowed to return to practice or games until documentation from the physician is received.  

Any student-athlete that is being treated for a skin condition/infection must inform their coach, the athletic trainer, and school nurse immediately. Any athlete that is being treated for MRSA, or any other skin condition, must bring in documentation that includes a clearance date from their physician. For wrestlers they must have their physician fill out this form completely and return a signed and dated copy to the Athletic Trainer.  

MRSA stands for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcal or “staph” bacteria are often found on the skin or in the noses of healthy people and do not usually cause illness. There are strains of staph bacteria that have become resistant to certain antibiotics, making them more difficult to treat. Anyone can get MRSA skin infections. They are more common among hospital patients and people in long term care facilities like nursing homes and prisons. Unfortunately, antibiotic-resistant infections are becoming more common in the athletic community.

Symptoms

MRSA skin infections are generally minor, such as pimples, boils and other skin conditions. They can often be mistaken for spider bites. Left untreated, these infections can get worse. The infection could spread to the bloodstream or lungs, causing serious illness and possibly death. If you suspect a MRSA skin infection, you should seek medical attention.

Reducing the Risk

If you think you may have a staph skin infection, see the Henderson Athletic Training Staff right away. They can tell you how you can best protect yourself and others from this infection. Take the following steps to prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant staph skin infections to others:

• Cover skin infections with clean bandages. Pus and drainage from the infection can easily spread to others. Wear clothing that covers the infected area. 
   
• Wash your hands! Wash hands with soap and water frequently throughout the day, especially after touching the wound or changing bandages. Soap does not need to be “antibacterial” soap.
   
• Do not share personal items such as helmets, pads, mouthpieces, clothing, towels, razors or bar soap with others.
   
• Clean your locker, bathroom and personal care items frequently.
   
• Wash equipment, pads, uniforms, towels, bedding and clothing in hot water and bleach (if possible). Dry these items in a hot air dryer to help kill the bacteria.
   
• Tell the Athletic Training Staff if you have a history of MRSA skin infections.

For more information, speak with the HHS Athletic Training staff or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. Concussions are often caused by an impact to the head, or to another part of the body, with the force transmitted to the head. Concussions disrupt the way the brain normally works, and vary greatly in severity. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly. You can’t see a concussion, and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms may show up right away, or can

Signs observed by teammates, parents, or coaches may include that the athlete:

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

What happens if my child keeps playing with a concussion or returns too soon?

Athletes with signs/symptoms of a concussion should be removed from play immediately. Continuing to play while experiencing signs or symptoms of a concussion leaves the student-athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury. There is increased risk of significant brain damage from a concussion for a period of time after a concussion occurs, particularly if the athlete suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one. This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even to severe brain swelling (“second impact syndrome”) with devastating and even fatal consequences. It is well known that teenage athletes will often under-report symptoms of injuries, and concussions are no different. We urge parents to be especially vigilant and watchful, as they know their child best, and are best able to notice changes in the child that may result from a concussion. All suspected concussions should be reported to the Certified Athletic Trainers as soon as possible. An ImPACT baseline testing is offered to student-athlete who participates in a school sponsored sport and is mandatory for contact sports. Baseline testing is available by team, before the start of the each season and by appointment with the Certified Athletic Trainers. Each student-athlete will be administered two baselines in their high school career (in 9th and 11th grade). Post-concussion testing is administered 24-72 hours after a concussion is suspected or diagnosed, once symptoms have resolved and before a student-athlete’s follow-up appointment with a licensed physician. The post-concussion results can then be used in conjunction with the baseline score to help the Certified Athletic Trainers and the licensed physician in their assessment, treatment, and return to play criteria. 

If you think your child has suffered a concussion…

If you notice signs or symptoms of a concussion in your child, seek immediate medical attention immediately from an appropriate medical professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions, or your hospital’s Emergency Department. Any athlete suspected of suffering a concussion must be removed from the game or practice immediately, and may not return until the athlete is evaluated (and cleared in writing) by an appropriate medical professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions. An appropriate medical professional is a licensed physician who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions, a licensed or certified health care professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and designated by such licensed physician (e.g. Certified Athletic Trainer), and a licensed psychologist neuropsychologically trained in the evaluation and management of concussions or who has postdoctoral training in neuropsychology and specific training in the evaluation or management of concussions. Besides managing your child’s concussion and return to play, the Certified Athletic Trainers will also help coordinate with your child’s coaches, Nurse, academic counselor and teachers. If your student-athlete has suffered a concussion please contact your school’s Certified Athletic Trainer by email or phone and leave a detailed message including athlete’s name, grade, sport, details of the injury, and contact information. More information about concussions.

In August of 2010 ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test) was implemented at Henderson High School. Given the inherent difficulties in concussion management, it is important to manage concussions on an individualized basis and to implement baseline testing and post-injury neurocognitive testing. ImPACT is a tool that allows the HHS Athletic Training staff to objectively evaluate the concussed athlete's postinjury condition and track recovery for safe return to play, thus preventing the cumulative effects of concussion. The ImPACT baseline test is administered twice in a student-athletes career, during their 9th and 11th grade years. The test is also administered to any new student-athletes, transfers or a 10th or 12th grader who hadn’t taken the test the previous year.

All students who participate in the following sports must take the ImPACT baseline test:

• Football
• Soccer
• Field Hockey
• Wrestling
• Basketball
• Lacrosse
• Baseball
• Softball
• Cheerleading
• Ice Hockey
• Rugby

More information about ImPACT can be found here.