Back in the Game
Why Concussion Doesn't Have to End Your Athletic Career

The word concussion used to be unheard of in youth sports a decade ago. The brain injury was indeed occurring, but coaches and parents were encouraging their youth athletes to "shake it off" after "getting their bell rung". Science and increased awareness about concussion are transforming the way youth parents, coaches, and players pursue athletics. Fear of incurring concussions, as well as incorrect information, is leading some parents to keep their children out of contact sports, such as football and soccer, where concussion is more prevalent. Back in the Game: Why Concussion Doesn't Have to End Your Athletic Career does not dwell on perpetuating fears, but rather, provides the most up-to-date understanding of the condition. This text includes a real-world discussion of what science and medicine knows, what parents and coaches need to understand about concussions, evaluation and treatment, and possible post-concussive issues, like depression. At the heart of this book, the authors delve into these issues, explaining them in a clear and understandable way. The expertise and experiences of noted sports neurologist Jeffrey Kutcher, MD, along with reporting and interviews by award-winning sports journalist Joanne C. Gerstner, makes this book a timely, relevant, and real discussion about concussions in youth sports. Athletes and professional coaches who have participated in the formation of this book include two-time Olympic gold medalist soccer player Kate Markgraf, former NHL/Team Canada head coach Andy Murray, champion X-Games snowboarder Ellery Hollingsworth, along with an array of youth parents, coaches, and athletes from across the country.

Dr. Kutcher is an internationally recognized sports neurologist and pioneering physician researcher. He is a graduate of the Tulane University School of Medicine and the University of Michigan Neurology Residency program. He founded the American Academy of Neurology's Sports Neurology Section and was the neurologist for Team USA at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. Joanne C. Gerstner is an award-winning multimedia sports journalist, who also focuses on sports and medicine. Her work has appeared on ESPN.com, New York Times, USA Today, Detroit News and other publications. She is a graduate of the Medill School at Northwestern University, and a 2012 University of Michigan Knight-Wallace Fellow and 2015 Jacobs Foundation Neuoscience Fellow.