Damage From Concussions Could Last Up To Four Months, Study Finds

"The dangers of getting a concussion while playing sports has dominated the headlines over the past few weeks. First, several former NFL players admitted they had been diagnosed with CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a progressive neurological disease thought to result from taking chronic hits to the head, including concussions. Days later, ESPN reported that between 2010 to 2012, Pop Warner youth football saw 23,612 kids stop participating, likely due to the mounting concerns that the sport leads to harmful concussions.
Today, a new study suggests that the damage incurred from a concussion takes longer to heal than expected -- a full four months in some cases. Though the study was small and is only preliminary, the results may have implications for how soon players are able to return to play after suffering a tough hit."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/21/damage-concussions-four-months_n_4316890.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003
Could this have far reaching consequences  - players forced to rest for months to ensure they get back healthy - what would happen if someone 'rushed back' and suffered serious brain injury - would people be liable

I think this is going to become a long term issue..

Interesting study which seems to suggest that there are indentifiable differences between the concussed brain and the normal brain long after symptoms have subsided. Must look out the actual article rather than this report.

It does contrast with the IRB's stance that it might be okay to return to play 7 days after a symptomatic concussion and 10 minutes after a possible concussion!!!

The thing which seems to stand out from almost every article and study is that it lags behind logic and common sense.  Returning to play after only a week is dangerous in likely 90%+ of all cases.  The idea that damage can last 4 months or more in extreme cases is also not a surprise either.  

What is needed is an objective test method which is easy to execute.  We can't keep zapping people's brains with an MRI. And the cost becomes prohibitive.  On the other hand, cellular water density (I presume, from the article) does seem very logical in hindsight.  This is a study I would like to read, as well.  The good news here is there does indeed seem to be movement towards an easier test method.  That is critically needed.  Until we have it, treatment options should always be conservative.

Short term damage might last 4 months, long terms effects of repeated concussions are now believed to factor in mental health and disease in the NFL and NHL. And they wear helmets.