Anyone ever crashed and had a Concussion

Robert
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5/27/2008 8:45am
My kids helmet after his concussion:

jonjon714
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Virginia Beach, VA, USA
5/27/2008 8:45am
R-acer wrote:
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started...
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started stepping it up every lap, by lap 6 he was pretty much matching the lap times of the regulars to that track, then on a rhythm section with 4 doubles, on the second double, he some how had some kind of kicker or something and just about flipped upside down ((back wheel was pointing to the sky) and landed head first into the face of the next jump.... going fast!!
I ran over to him to find that he was knocked out cold!! He was out for maybe 30-40 seconds and when he opened his eyes he had no idea where he was or even what his name was. kept asking me why he is on the ground. His helmet was broken, chest protector shouldner shattered like an egg shell. Took him to the hospital and and had him checked out.... he seems ok now, just sore everywhere.

He wants to race tonight..... the question is... should I let him?
This accident was only this past Saturday.
Woohoo Proof enough for me...
gnarwhip
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Los Angeles, CA, USA
5/27/2008 9:44am
I had about 5 concussions before age 17 , and really wish I hadn't. They are the worst part of this sport and are very serious. You should replace the helmet after any crash where you hit your head, because the entire helmet could have structural damage.
wildbill
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Christmas Valley, OR, USA
5/27/2008 10:00am
yes, what was the question?

The Shop

R-acer
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5/27/2008 10:24am
R-acer wrote:
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started...
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started stepping it up every lap, by lap 6 he was pretty much matching the lap times of the regulars to that track, then on a rhythm section with 4 doubles, on the second double, he some how had some kind of kicker or something and just about flipped upside down ((back wheel was pointing to the sky) and landed head first into the face of the next jump.... going fast!!
I ran over to him to find that he was knocked out cold!! He was out for maybe 30-40 seconds and when he opened his eyes he had no idea where he was or even what his name was. kept asking me why he is on the ground. His helmet was broken, chest protector shouldner shattered like an egg shell. Took him to the hospital and and had him checked out.... he seems ok now, just sore everywhere.

He wants to race tonight..... the question is... should I let him?
This accident was only this past Saturday.
BobbyM wrote:
nope. asking us instead of a doctor is using your head...looks like you may have a few of these "knockouts" in your early youth too. keep...
nope.

asking us instead of a doctor is using your head...looks like you may have a few of these "knockouts" in your early youth too.

keep the kid off the scooter and go to a doctor.

or is this a baited joke post?
You really think someone would come up with a story like this to use for bait?Dry
My main reason for asking is just to hear and see how concussions have affected people in the MX community.
mxmiken
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Fallbrook, CA, USA
5/27/2008 10:26am
R-acer wrote:
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started...
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started stepping it up every lap, by lap 6 he was pretty much matching the lap times of the regulars to that track, then on a rhythm section with 4 doubles, on the second double, he some how had some kind of kicker or something and just about flipped upside down ((back wheel was pointing to the sky) and landed head first into the face of the next jump.... going fast!!
I ran over to him to find that he was knocked out cold!! He was out for maybe 30-40 seconds and when he opened his eyes he had no idea where he was or even what his name was. kept asking me why he is on the ground. His helmet was broken, chest protector shouldner shattered like an egg shell. Took him to the hospital and and had him checked out.... he seems ok now, just sore everywhere.

He wants to race tonight..... the question is... should I let him?
This accident was only this past Saturday.
listen to dave..hes proof enough..
5/27/2008 10:33am Edited Date/Time 5/27/2008 10:34am
Haven't had a concussion on a bike yet, but when I was about 12, I got thrown off a horse and knocked out for a little under a minute - hit the side of my head on a fence post. The helmet I was wearing got crushed in on one side (they were cheap bicycle helmets covered in black felt). Went to the hospital, no CT/MRI, but was told to avoid activities where I would risk re-injury for about 3 weeks to a month, depending on how long it took symptoms to go away.

MXATC
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5/27/2008 5:38pm
Here's some info I send to anyone who asks about concussions. This is taken from my website.... http://www.mxsportsmed.info/Common%20Mx%20injuries%20-%20concussion.htm

Also Duke Orthopedics website has this info....... http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/management_of_head_injury_spinal_in…

I would definitely get your son checked out by a doc who has dealt with concussions before. Make sure and take the helmet with you for the doc to inspect as well. I believe there is an AMA rule now concerning a rider having a concussion. Good luck .
bd
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Las Vegas, NV, USA
5/27/2008 5:41pm
R-acer wrote:
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started...
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started stepping it up every lap, by lap 6 he was pretty much matching the lap times of the regulars to that track, then on a rhythm section with 4 doubles, on the second double, he some how had some kind of kicker or something and just about flipped upside down ((back wheel was pointing to the sky) and landed head first into the face of the next jump.... going fast!!
I ran over to him to find that he was knocked out cold!! He was out for maybe 30-40 seconds and when he opened his eyes he had no idea where he was or even what his name was. kept asking me why he is on the ground. His helmet was broken, chest protector shouldner shattered like an egg shell. Took him to the hospital and and had him checked out.... he seems ok now, just sore everywhere.

He wants to race tonight..... the question is... should I let him?
This accident was only this past Saturday.
No! Its his head... give him a few weeks.
jtomasik
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Golden, CO, USA
5/27/2008 6:16pm
Oh man. I hope the little guy's feeling ok. I'll agree with everyone else and say no way on racing, and I'll add not even riding or much of anything else. I wouldn't let him do any contact-related sports until he got scanned or had a doctor suggest a significant down-time followed up by another eval.

Tuck that little man away and let him heal completely.
R-acer
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5/27/2008 6:53pm
MXATC wrote:
Here's some info I send to anyone who asks about concussions. This is taken from my website.... http://www.mxsportsmed.info/Common%20Mx%20injuries%20-%20concussion.htm Also Duke Orthopedics website has this info....... http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/management_of_head_injury_spinal_injury...
Here's some info I send to anyone who asks about concussions. This is taken from my website.... http://www.mxsportsmed.info/Common%20Mx%20injuries%20-%20concussion.htm

Also Duke Orthopedics website has this info....... http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/management_of_head_injury_spinal_in…

I would definitely get your son checked out by a doc who has dealt with concussions before. Make sure and take the helmet with you for the doc to inspect as well. I believe there is an AMA rule now concerning a rider having a concussion. Good luck .
Thanks
gt80rider
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Boulder, CO, USA
5/27/2008 7:32pm
R-acer wrote:
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started...
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started stepping it up every lap, by lap 6 he was pretty much matching the lap times of the regulars to that track, then on a rhythm section with 4 doubles, on the second double, he some how had some kind of kicker or something and just about flipped upside down ((back wheel was pointing to the sky) and landed head first into the face of the next jump.... going fast!!
I ran over to him to find that he was knocked out cold!! He was out for maybe 30-40 seconds and when he opened his eyes he had no idea where he was or even what his name was. kept asking me why he is on the ground. His helmet was broken, chest protector shouldner shattered like an egg shell. Took him to the hospital and and had him checked out.... he seems ok now, just sore everywhere.

He wants to race tonight..... the question is... should I let him?
This accident was only this past Saturday.
you gotta be kidding right?? it's insane to even think for one instance to let him race... your son has an entire lifetime left to race, hopefully with all his wits about him.....

but..... if he was, let's say Pastrana, Yoga, or the like..... i'm sure a team manager would have no problem clearing him in the hopes he would go out and win big... still amazes me to this day that Honda let Yoga get on a bike after 3 concussions in 5 days..... (and TP probably has had more!)
5/27/2008 7:37pm
One note.....send a letter to the helmet mfg and say thanks! You guys wouldn't belive how many times ppl have come in to the shop and wanted a new helmet . One guy had an atv land on his head (not a scratch on him). Told me he was going to sue because the helmet broke. I told him to go get checked, because he had brain damage.
Foo723
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Pensacola, FL, USA
5/27/2008 7:45pm
if he is sore, dont let him race ... he is not at full potential. it is not just a bruised leg. a crash like that could have killed him. let him put some time on the bike under non race conditions.

i had a concussion at 16, bailed hard on a 250, landed flat on my stomach and head hit hard into the ground. after i caught my breath, the sun seemed to increase 20 times (as my eyes dialited) and the whole world was bright yellow. after that sensation went away i was sick to my stomach. i was done for the day.

dont mess around with concussions.
R-acer
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5/27/2008 7:57pm
Well we skipped todays race, and this pretty much seals his chance of winning the 85A title. But thats ok... I told him he can still run the rest in June if he really wants to, but in the mean time, when he is ready to start riding again, we are stepping up some training on the 144 and he can start running Novice A to start out on the bigger bike. I think he is going to do much better on the bigger bike. He is 5'9" and 135LBS..... big kid for 13..and the 85 is too small.

He says its not the bike, and that he just made a mistake...but I think its the bike.
Robert
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5/27/2008 8:14pm
What is Novice A?
R-acer
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5/27/2008 8:22pm
Robert wrote:
What is Novice A?
Novice A is for advanced riders on a big bike. If you were a beginner on a big bike (125, 250F etc...) you would start out in Novice B, if you have experience racing, you would run in Novice A. If you are winning Novice A, then you need to move to Intermediate. If you are too fast for that, then you are in Expert.

I think my son will end up in Intermediate in no time, but I want to start him in Novice A and build his confidence on the bigger bike first.


5/27/2008 8:29pm
When I was 17 I was knocked out cold it was my second one. I Only remember 2 laps of that race and I was on the last lap of a 45 minute moto. Someone made me see a Dr and he told me to go see a optometrist to test my eyes reaction times. Then he said to stay off the bike for 2 or 3 days so my brain wouldnt get to jared. Then in a week go see the optometrist to see if my eyes were able to focus faster.

I did every thing he said and raced the next weekend. The Optomptrist told me he could tell a huge difference in my eyes between visits. He said the eyes will tell you everything you need to know.

Knowing what they know now, i wouldnt let him ride for a few weeks.
oldx
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Camano Island, WA, USA
5/27/2008 8:36pm
Yes I had one,next race I had another. Then I had vertigo so bad I couldn't walk, took many years to completely get over it. I would say no don't let him race for a few weeks, the longer off the better.
Beau179
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5/27/2008 9:02pm
Yoga? Or Yogi (Lusk)
Little Dave
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Brisbane, AU
5/27/2008 9:15pm
Sounds like he had something like i had, i was out when i cased a freestyle sized double had amnesia(SP) it was the weidest feeling i;ve ever had. Didn't know where i was, who i was, why my bike was laying on the backside of this double, why i had blood flowing down my face.

Had no pain or rememberence of what had happened, my brain had swelled up against my skull and by the next day i couldn't even take a step without it feeling like a migrain.

The problem is you feel ok and you think you can ride until you get out on the track and the smallest bump jars your head to hell and back.

Don't mess with your brain! It's kind of vital.
drmarkr
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Tucson, AZ, USA
5/27/2008 9:42pm
R-acer wrote:
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started...
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started stepping it up every lap, by lap 6 he was pretty much matching the lap times of the regulars to that track, then on a rhythm section with 4 doubles, on the second double, he some how had some kind of kicker or something and just about flipped upside down ((back wheel was pointing to the sky) and landed head first into the face of the next jump.... going fast!!
I ran over to him to find that he was knocked out cold!! He was out for maybe 30-40 seconds and when he opened his eyes he had no idea where he was or even what his name was. kept asking me why he is on the ground. His helmet was broken, chest protector shouldner shattered like an egg shell. Took him to the hospital and and had him checked out.... he seems ok now, just sore everywhere.

He wants to race tonight..... the question is... should I let him?
This accident was only this past Saturday.
Absolutely NOT. Your son needs a complete neuro exam, preferably from a neurologist with some experience sports specific injuries. What Alan said above is correct....his risk of a second, much more severe bleed is well described.

A concussion is essentially a "brain bruise" and MUST have time to heal, and for the blood to be resorbed from the surrounding brain tissue, and for the original torn vessels to heal sufficiently.

If you want to discuss this further by phone, PM me a number and I will call you tomorrow.

Mark Russell, MD
Dirtysmile56
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Bend, OR, USA
5/27/2008 10:44pm
R-acer wrote:
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started...
This past Saturday my 13 year old son had a bad crash. Went to a new track, after rolling the first lap in practice he started stepping it up every lap, by lap 6 he was pretty much matching the lap times of the regulars to that track, then on a rhythm section with 4 doubles, on the second double, he some how had some kind of kicker or something and just about flipped upside down ((back wheel was pointing to the sky) and landed head first into the face of the next jump.... going fast!!
I ran over to him to find that he was knocked out cold!! He was out for maybe 30-40 seconds and when he opened his eyes he had no idea where he was or even what his name was. kept asking me why he is on the ground. His helmet was broken, chest protector shouldner shattered like an egg shell. Took him to the hospital and and had him checked out.... he seems ok now, just sore everywhere.

He wants to race tonight..... the question is... should I let him?
This accident was only this past Saturday.
drmarkr wrote:
Absolutely NOT. Your son needs a complete neuro exam, preferably from a neurologist with some experience sports specific injuries. What Alan said above is correct....his risk...
Absolutely NOT. Your son needs a complete neuro exam, preferably from a neurologist with some experience sports specific injuries. What Alan said above is correct....his risk of a second, much more severe bleed is well described.

A concussion is essentially a "brain bruise" and MUST have time to heal, and for the blood to be resorbed from the surrounding brain tissue, and for the original torn vessels to heal sufficiently.

If you want to discuss this further by phone, PM me a number and I will call you tomorrow.

Mark Russell, MD
This happened to good friend of mine, Chris Haws he was 24 years old, he had a pretty bad concussion from a moto crash,he was unconscious for about a minute, he was instructed by his doctor not to ride for two weeks. He was really bummed as he was in the points race for the 250 INT class in District 6, we all encouraged him to wait it out and surprisingly he did. During the two weeks he didn't quite feel right, he had headaches and some numbness in his arm. On the 14th day he went out to one of our practice tracks with his stepdad (his Mom was not happy about it), they were doing some laps warming up and Chris entered a corner and as he railed the corner his dad said he just fell over. Mark dropped his bike and ran to Chris's aid and helped him sit up, he was clearly dazed but was able to say "give me a second" and the next thing Mark knew his eyes rolled and he passed out. This was the last time my buddy Chris would ever be conscious again, he died 7 days later. It turns out that his original concussion was far worse than his doctors had suspected, the bruising was so severe that just the jarring from riding was enough to cause severe bleeding of his brain, within the time it took to air life him to the hospital the entire left side of his brain had died. This August will be the 9 year Anniversary of Chris's death, he would be 33 now, his family is burdened with the pain of this loss forever, every time I go back East I visit with his parents. The pain in his mothers eyes is as fresh today as it was nine years ago.

Racer, don't roll the dice with your kid's life, hell ,skip the fucking season and go experience some life outside of racing with your family, it's not worth it. When it comes to concussion's take your doctor's advice and double that time off the bike.
I'm sure Cindy (Chris's mom) would be happy to know that Chris's story could save someones life, but it still won't take away the pain she's forced to live with.

Be safe everone.

Patrick Trowbridge #56
txmxer
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5/28/2008 7:18am
WTF Fart? This just happened? When did you bang your brain?

Sounds like you need to be seeing some medical professionals as well. That could be a stroke or who knows what. This is a don't delay, see the doc today kind of thing.

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