Going home after your visit
Concussion in sport — getting back safely
What to do after a concussion, and how to return to sport step by step.
You have had a concussion — a brain injury that changes how the brain works for a while — during sport. Most people recover fully. Follow your head-injury warning signs, and this step-by-step plan for getting back to sport. The motto is: "if in doubt, sit them out".
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Call 999 now if any of these happen
These can be signs of a more serious brain injury and need an ambulance.
- Knocked out, or very hard to wake
- A fit or seizure (convulsion)
- Weakness or numbness, or trouble speaking or understanding
- Getting more confused, or acting strangely
- Clear fluid or blood from an ear or the nose
- Neck pain with weakness, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
CALL 999 Do not move someone with neck pain unless they are in danger. Do not let them drive themselves.
Get same-day reassessment if any of these happen
Get same-day reassessment — go to the ED or the urgent service named above.
- Being sick (vomiting) more than once after the injury
- A severe headache, or one that keeps getting worse
- Problems with eyesight or hearing, or trouble with balance or walking
- Symptoms that are not improving after a few days, or are getting worse
- You cannot be supervised by a responsible adult for the next 24 hours
The first 1–2 days
- Rest your body and your brain — go easy on screens, study and busy places.
- Do not be alone for the first 24 hours.
- Do not drink alcohol.
- Do not drive until you feel completely back to normal.
- You may take paracetamol for headache if you can take it.
Returning to sport — go gradually
- Only move up a step with no symptoms, and stay at least 24 hours at each step.
- The steps: rest, then light exercise, sport-specific exercise, training, then play.
- Allow at least 3 weeks before any contact or competition.
- Return only once a health professional says you have fully recovered.
- Never return to play on the same day as the injury.
Symptoms that usually settle
These are common after concussion and normally ease over the first 1–2 weeks:
Mild headacheDizzinessTirednessPoor sleepTrouble concentratingFeeling irritable
See your GP if symptoms have not gone after 2 weeks (4 weeks for a child).
Going back to school or work
- Expect a gradual return. Start with short periods and build up as symptoms allow.
- Tell the school, college or employer about the concussion so they can reduce screen time, noise and deadlines at first.
- If symptoms come back when activity increases, drop back a step and build up more slowly.
- Children and teenagers usually take longer to recover than adults and should return to learning before returning to contact sport.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a severe breathing or circulation problem
ED / urgent service
A warning sign above that needs same-day reassessment
111
Urgent advice when it is not life-threatening, or you are unsure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team / GP
Use the number and follow-up plan in Your care details above