Summit Now Offers ImPACT Testing Summit Orthopedic Specialists

Summit Now Offers ImPACT Testing

Posted on January 3, 2012 by summit

As part of its sports medicine services, Summit Orthopedic Specialists now offers ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) for its pediatric patients.

ImPACT is a brain injury measurement tool for children and teens who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (concussion). Through a series of computerized tests, ImPACT identifies subtle changes in brain function, evaluates post-injury condition, and tracks recovery. By comparing baseline (pre-injury) and post-injury test results, ImPACT can help determine the extent of the damage following a concussion. Children and teens who have sustained a concussion can benefit from ImPACT even if they haven’t first taken a baseline test. That’s because ImPACT collects sample data from hundreds of children and teens of all ages. By establishing normal test scores for every age, ImPACT can detect post-injury changes when a baseline isn’t available.

Testing Details

• ImPACT consists of seven computerized tests that can be administered individually or to groups of athletes. The tests measure various aspects of cognitive functioning:
• Attention span
• Reaction time
• Visual memory and verbal memory
• Working memory
• Response variability
• Sustained attention and selective attention
• Non-verbal problem solving

Summit uses ImPACT to help parents, coaches and children make appropriate return-to-play decisions. Our goal is to eliminate the risk of recurrent or permanent injuries that may have temporary or permanent health risks.

Concussion Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency departments in the U.S. treat about 135,000 children between the ages of 5 and 18 for sports-related traumatic brain injuries each year. Children who continue to play following a concussion risk long-term health problems, and in some cases the injury may be fatal.

Summit’s Concussion Management Providers
Hunter Greene, M.D.
Sean Paquette, PA-C, ATC

For more information on ImPACT or to schedule an appointment, please call Summit Orthopedic Specialists at (916) 965-4000.