South African Model Offers Insight Into Concussion Prevention and Management

Newswise — ATLANTA, Ga. – Jon Patricios, MMBCh, MMed Sci, will be presenting “Mandela’s Mantra: A South African Model for Concussion Management” at the 21st American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in Atlanta, GA on Tuesday, April 24.

Concussion management is a critical and controversial aspect of sports medicine. They are common, underreported, and often occur in young, healthy individuals. Symptoms include headache, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and poor balance. Proper management has the potential to prevent athletes from suffering long-term effects.

Dr. Patricios will be sharing his international expertise with conference attendees to help broaden their knowledge on concussion management.

“My talk is an illustration of South Africa's practical translation of international consensus into community-based injury prevention and management programs for concussion and other potentially serious injuries,” said Dr. Patricios. “These protocols are freely accessible and easily implemented.”

The conference features lectures and research addressing the most challenging topics in sports medicine today including prevention of sudden death, cardiovascular issues in athletes, concussion, biologic therapies, and other controversies facing the field of sports medicine.

More than 1,200 sports medicine physicians from across the United States and 12 countries around the world are attending the meeting.

Dr. Patricios lives in South Africa and is Clinical Director of Morningside Sports Medicine. He has provided medical coverage for many sports including cricket and rugby on a national and international level. Dr. Patricios is founder and director of Sports Concussion South Africa and is Past President of the South African Sports Medicine Association.

The AMSSM is a multi-disciplinary organization of sports medicine physicians whose members are dedicated to education, research, advocacy, and the care of athletes of all ages. Founded in 1991, the AMSSM is now comprised of more than 2,000 sports medicine physicians whose goal is to provide a link between the rapidly expanding core of knowledge related to sports medicine and its application to patients in a clinical setting.