Dr Leigh Gordan – Focus on concussions and sports injuries

Dr. Leigh Gordon, a sport and exercise medicine physician with nearly 20 years of experience in sports medicine, was the BRSC’s guest speaker on June 6.

For more than six years, Dr Leigh was the team doctor for the South African national Rugby Sevens men’s and women’s squads. She now works as part of the Cape Sports Medicine group, which is situated at the Sports Science Institute, and is still very active in two international sports federations, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and World Rugby as one of World Rugby’s Independent Concussion Consultants.

During her presentation, she focused specifically on the dangers of concussions sustained during rugby matches, how to identify it and how it should be treated. She explained that a concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Effects are usually temporary, but can include headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination. Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head, such as could happen during a rugby tackle. Violently shaking of the head and upper body also can cause concussions.
“Concussions are common if you play a contact sport, such as football or soccer. Some concussions cause you to lose consciousness, but most do not”, Dr Leigh explained. Although most people usually recover fully after a concussion, there are significant dangers associated if a player ignores the signs of a concussion and continues to play.

“We urge the players and the coaches, when in doubt, rather sit out”, she said, warning that a minimum of 19 days of no sport and complete rest should be adhered to before they can give a player the green light to get back on the field.

The event was well attended by parents and coaches alike, who all agreed that this was very important information that should be communicated as far and wide as possible. “Everybody has a responsibility to protect the health and well-being of our players – including the school, the coaches and the parents,” she urged.