A LEADING neurosurgeon says Adelaide star Kurt Tippett should consider "sitting it out for the rest of the year" after suffering his third concussion in five weeks on Saturday.
Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld, director of neurosurgery at Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, says the Crows forward is risking a more "serious event" if he receives a fourth knock to the head this season.
Labelling it a "compound interest" effect, Professor Rosenfeld has also reignited his suggestion that all athletes employ a three-strikes policy by considering retirement upon their third concussion.
While admitting he's unable to diagnose Tippett from afar, Rosenfeld isn't convinced the Queenslander should play again in 2012, casting serious doubt on the Crows' finals campaign.
"If he's made a full recovery judged by medical people knowledgable in the field of concussion, and they feel that he's made a full recovery, then he can return," Professor Rosenfeld said.
"But it may be with three concussions in the one season that he should have a rest for the rest of the season.
"Repeated concussions are becoming more of a recognised issue, in that more concussions you have, the more possibility there is of having some ongoing symptoms and maybe even permanent problems.
"So you've got to go pretty carefully after three proven concussions.
"You have to give people a chance to recover, it might be a couple of weeks until they really know (how they feel) but he shouldn't be forced back on to the field before he's had a good medical clearance for him to play. Maybe he needs to sit it out for the rest of the year."
Of most concern for Crows medicos is that Tippett - diagnosed with concussion in rounds 13, 15 and 17 - is more susceptible to another concussion should he play Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
"The other problem is that if you have more concussions then you are more vulnerable to the next concussion," Professor Rosenfeld said.
"You can have a more serious event if you're knocked on the head again after already having three concussions. If he gets a fourth concussion it may be much worse for him if he hadn't had any concussions at all. It's like a compound interest effect."
Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson yesterday revealed Tippett is likely to visit a neurosurgeon, specialising in sporting concussions, in Melbourne later this week.
In the most extreme cases, Professor Rosenfeld says all sportspeople - not just footballers - should consider retirement after three concussions.
"We need to develop strong guidelines in this area," Professor Rosenfeld said.
"And it may be if someone has three demonstrated concussions, and has still got ongoing issues from the concussion, then maybe it's time to call it quits.
"Now that's very difficult to say to someone who is earning their living from playing football, basically you're saying you've got to stop earning your living and do something else which is a tough call.
"It's something which needs to be considered for the individual case and it may be that if he's had three severe concussions it might be time for him to say I don't want to risk my brain for the future.
"If someone has had three concussions in a short space of time and they are not making a full recovery then maybe they should at least have time out until they do make a full recovery or they should stop playing and play a less risky sport."
Concussions and Kurt
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Concussions and Kurt
Re: Concussions and Kurt
ADELAIDE has officially ruled out Kurt Tippett for Saturday's clash with Geelong at Simonds Stadium but remain optimistic he could return against Essendon on Sunday week.
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Tippett, who this morning Tweeted that he was ''off to training and feeling good this morning'', completed some light running behind closed gates at AAMI Stadium today.
He will still visit a neurosurgeon in Melbourne this week but Crows coach Brenton Sanderson is confident he will be in the mix to face the Bombers on August 5.
''We're going to send him home for a couple of days over the weekend but we expect him to resume training next Monday if the tests get through OK,'' Sanderson said.
''Kurt's recovering really well, he's a bit surprised with how everyone is talking about it but I know it feels like a really big story because there is a bit of greyness with how it's going to go. We'll just take our time and we won't rush the player. In consultation with the experts we'll make the correct decision for him.
''The AFL concussion testing which he does as part of the protocol has been fine, now we just want to make sure from Kurt's point of view that we make the correct decision player welfare wise.''
In another blow for the Crows, defender Andy Otten will miss around six weeks after being diagnosed with a medial cartledge tear in his left knee.
Otten hurt his knee during a marking contest in Saturday's game against West Coast but Sanderson insists he could still play a role in September.
''It was a bit out of left field for us, we weren't prepared for that,'' Sanderson said.
''He had an operation on it this morning so hopefully he will be back soon.''
Sanderson said defenders Sam Shaw and Luke Thompson would be considered as Otten's replacement.
Re: Concussions and Kurt
surely the players health and the fact that he could suffer future complications will prevail???
Chad Rintoul and a player from West Coast have had to retire from concussion related injuries....
Chad Rintoul and a player from West Coast have had to retire from concussion related injuries....
Re: Concussions and Kurt
I wonder of one of these so called medical experts has been able to establish the link between short people and posting crap on a football forum.
Put your ray gun to my head
Re: Concussions and Kurt
hahahahahaMajor Tom wrote:I wonder of one of these so called medical experts has been able to establish the link between short people and posting crap on a football forum.
lol lol lol lol
i can understand young shorties but dam is almost a man isnt he ?
Re: Concussions and Kurt
Major Tom wrote:I wonder of one of these so called medical experts has been able to establish the link between short people and posting crap on a football forum.
U need help bodo, serious help!
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Re: Concussions and Kurt
any player who gets concussed that much should have a few weeks on the sidelines. the long term consequences aren't worth playing for
Re: Concussions and Kurt
Concussion is the type of injury that can go to your head !
Can they wear specialised headgear like Peter Cech ?
Surely anyone who has been concussed previously would be targetted by the opposition !
Can they wear specialised headgear like Peter Cech ?
Surely anyone who has been concussed previously would be targetted by the opposition !
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