Concussion Management – Rugby Oregon

World Rugby Concussion Guidance for non-medical professionals

Youth and HS players (18 and under) – 2 weeks (14 full days) AND be symptom free before beginning the 5 day Graduated Return to Play Protocols. Not returning to contact rugby before GRTP fully complete and symptom free.

Concussion Protocol and Return to Play

This is Rugby Oregon’s concussion protocol and Return to Play process. Please review this information and contact Rugby Oregon if you have any questions. Rugby Oregon works very hard to make the navigation of the concussion management process as straight-forward as possible. We also recognize that insurance companies and medical professionals may have some variation in their requirements for managing this process. As such, we encourage you to contact us at info@rugbyoregon.com if you have any questions as you begin this process. The completion of this concussion protocol is required for any future participation within Rugby Oregon.

Rugby Oregon abides by the guidance and protocols set forth by World Rugby and USA Rugby with regard to suspected concussions. Beginning on the date of the concussion, the player must abide by a mandatory two-week rest period. The two-week period is a minimum time frame, and should be extended until the player is sign and symptom free at rest.

Players will not return to practice or game participation within the two-week rest period, even if they are sign and symptom free. Players are welcome to attend practices and games for learning and team support once they are symptom free, but may not physically participate until the two-week rest period has been satisfied.

The Graduated Return to Play may ONLY begin once:

The two-week mandatory rest period has passed, AND
The player is sign and symptom free, AND
The Return to Play Medical Release has been completed and signed by a qualified physician or healthcare professional
A copy of the Return to Play Medical Release has been received and acknowledged by Rugby Oregon

Return to Play Form

A graduated return to play plan will be developed and managed by the coach and/or the healthcare provider. The coach will watch for recurrence of any signs or symptoms of the concussion during the graduated increase in physical activity. Once the graduated return to play plan is complete without any symptoms, the coach will notify Rugby Oregon and the player will be reinstated to the roster.

FAQ

My personal physician does not believe my child sustained a concussion. My child felt fine by the day after the game.

Often symptoms will resolve quickly, but that does not mean that a concussion did not occur. At Rugby Oregon, we err on the side of caution with head injuries. As such, if the athletic trainer has diagnosed the player with a concussion, Rugby Oregon will follow concussion protocol for the player.

Where can I find more general information about concussions?

Please refer to the following resources for additional information:

I believe my child would benefit from academic or physical education accommodations during their recovery.

Rugby Oregon has documents that can be completed by the provider and given to the child’s school to assist with these accommodations.