Whether played at the amateur or professional levels, sports offer many benefits but may expose participants to the possibility of repetitive head impacts and sports concussion. Military veterans and civilians also may gain exposures throughout life that could potentially increase the risk for delayed cognitive or behavioral changes related to these repeated brain traumas.
At NorthShore, we feature renowned experts advancing knowledge in the area of CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a chronic neurodegenerative disease linked to multiple sports concussions. Neurosurgery Chairman and NNI Surgical Director Julian Bailes, MD, is among the country’s foremost leaders in the study of football-related brain injury and the development of CTE. Dr. Bailes’ partnership with Neuropathologist Bennet Omalu, MD, resulted in the identification of the earliest clinical evidence of the disease in NFL players. Concussion
Our multidisciplinary team actively advocates and has worked to develop clinical guidelines for identifying and treating CTE in the living patient, as well as educating the medical and sports communities about this serious neurological risk. NorthShore’s specialists frequently share their CTE expertise, presenting at professional meetings such as the American Academy of Neurology Sports Concussion Conference and to special interest groups such as the Retired Professional Football Players of Chicago.
Our traumatic brain injury specialists offer in-office consultation to individuals with a history of repetitive head trauma. An initial visit typically includes a discussion of a patient’s overall exposure to head injury, concussion history and review of any current symptoms. After a comprehensive assessment, our neuro team will initiate a treatment plan. Establishing an on-going relationship with our experienced experts ensures consistent monitoring of short- and long-term symptoms and/or progression and also gives our patients access to the latest advancements in the field.