Letter to the Editor from Physician

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

As a physician I see many kinds of injuries in my office. These injuries can be a result of involvement in recreational sports, leisure activities, regular daily activities or competitive sports. One of these injuries is a concussion.

There have been recent concerns about the long term effects of concussions in contact sports which include football, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, basketball and many others. Lately, football has been targeted by the media. Thank goodness because it has created national awareness.
Park Ridge Youth Football (PRYF) has responded to these concerns by developing a protocol for concussion evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. They also have a relationship with ATI physical therapy which is available to all participants in this area as well as evaluation of other sports injuries. PRYF has also has developed the following rule, “Contact is prohibited during two-thirds of practice time, and drills that involved full speed head-on blocking and tackling were eliminated”.

I am not trying to negate the potential for concussion or other injury playing a contact sport, but PRYF has made strides to make your child as safe as possible. There are many physicians in the area that are very equipped to evaluate and treat concussions as well as other sports injuries.

Ultimately it is your decision as parents to allow your child to participate in football, however, just be assured that PRYF is doing everything it can to ensure the safety of your child. Now let’s go, hike that ball already!

Michael J. Meyer , DO
Board Certified Family Medicine Physician
Park Ridge