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| Q&A: Dr David Hartman on Head Injuries (824 Posts)
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No Helmet - No 19 year old son, brother
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On 7/8/2008
bill Davis
wrote in from
United States
(67.125.nnn.nnn)
Our family has recently experienced the loss of our youngest son to a skateboarding accident. He was out with his friends riding to another friends house and hit a bump. He landed on his head and was resuscitated at the scene by one of his friends and then kept on life support until it was determined that he was not going to recover. We were able to donate his organs to 5 people in need. This tragedy did not have to happen. Why does the law relieve people of the responsibility to wear a helmet when you turn 18? You are not any less likely to die from head trauma after you turn 18. The law alone could not have prevented the accident but the longer a law is in place (seat belts, motorcycle helmets, etc) the more likely it becomes part of the procedure for engaging in the dangerous activity. Skateboards are very dangerous; within the last month I have had at least 5 acquaintances come to me and tell me of stories within the last year where young kids have died on skateboards. Here is the link to our son's story: http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/local/huntingtonbeach/article_2063999.php
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ornot
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On 6/23/2008 herbn
wrote in from
United States
(67.83.nnn.nnn)
http://www.collegehumor.com/video 1808237
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Lifesavers
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On 4/13/2008
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Barry,
You are saving lives with this selfless act. I have no doubt that there are kids who are alive and skating, going to school, growing up, falling in love, who would have had their brains destroyed and their lives ruined or ended, but for your Foundation. Bless your heart. Now, the question is, anyone have a contact on Oprah to put Barry's Foundation on the National stage?
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The IanTilmann Foundation
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On 3/4/2008
Barry Tilmann
wrote in from
United States
(71.98.nnn.nnn)
Dr Dave:
We appreciate this forum. The Ian Tilmann Foundation was formed in late 2005 after the death of our son Ian from a long boarding accident. Ian was 28 years. Ian (recently out of the US Marines)had an attitude about skate helmets and chose not to wear one.
After Ian's death his mother, Marcy started the Foundation. Our approach is simple. If a skater will promise to wear it the Foundation gives them one...FREE! We do not hassle skaters about helmets...we just make it easy to FREELY choose. Since 2005 we have given out over 1200+ helmets in Tampabay.
We are expanding the program from our home by setting up partnerships with public and private skate parks. So far we have 5 in place. By end of 2008 we expect 10-15 in Tampabay. We have also started FREE Helmet program in Baton Rouge and soon Hammond, LA. Katrina wiped out what few parks there were in south LA. Our goal in 2008 is to place 2000+ helmets.
There is only one proven cure for traumatic brain injury(TBI)...it's called PREVENTION! The Foundation's FREE Helmet program is premised on this fact.
Learn more about The Ian Tilmann Foundation at www.theiantilmannfoundation.org
Barry & Marcy Tilmann
Safety Harbor, FL
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Awesome
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On 1/20/2008
Dr Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
That's very cool, Christian! Keep spreading the word. One other idea is that famous skaters who wear helmets should make an offer to autograph the boards of any kids who promise to keep that helmet on. Know anyone who wants to be a part of that?
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Helmet Safety (Duh - What other options do I have???)
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On 12/15/2007
Christian
wrote in from
United States
(24.119.nnn.nnn)
Well here is the deal -
I happen to be one of the biggest helmet advocates under the sun and for good reason!!! I have posted in this forum in the past and have shared my story, so I will spare you all of the regurgitated facts this time around and simply state - I am a major reason that CA's helmet law stands as it currently does!
I have finally gotten around to posting my own personal video on Youtube(footage thereof has also been featured on "You Gotta See This," and "Impact: Stories of Survival). The footage featured below is a three-minute helmet safety commercial that I produced and have distributed close to 1800 copies of across CA to schools and otherwise in an attempt to encourage and proclaim this seemingly far-flung notion of 'helmet safety.'
Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_3u8F1uW3E
-Christian
**Still Riding Hard**
-Three weeks of unconsciousness, Bi-temporal Contusions, a paralyzed left vocal chord, a heart attack that flatlined me, and $3.5 Million later! ! !
**Now I Ride Safe**
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Follow the Bouncing Boy
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On 10/18/2007
drdave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Tim,
If you are concerned, take your son to a pediatric neurologist and discuss the particulars of the fall. If you haven't noticed any changes in personality, balance, fixed staring, etc., it's a pretty good sign, but a visit to a pediatric neurologist will probably reassure you even further.
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20 month old son
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On 10/7/2007
Tim Deininger
wrote in from
United States
(71.98.nnn.nnn)
My 20 month old son had his feet taken out from under him, by our dog's chain this afternoon. He really landed hard on the concrete driveway. From what we are hearing the back of the skull is the strongest??? My question is what are the main signs to watch for the next couple of months... He has good balance, anwsers questions correct, like he had before. We did take him to see the doctor, but I am not satisfied with there wait and see process. What are your thoughts on precautions we can take?
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Maxine's Question
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On 9/26/2007
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Maxine:
I doubt that the head injury as an infant would have had the kind of delayed effect you are concerned about. If it did you would have noticed it as a learning disability or similar much earlier. If you haven't had your daughter seen by a doctor, you should get her a general checkup. Other things to consider are drugs, alcohol, attention deficit disorder (if there is a history), needing glasses, depression. Let us know.
Dr. D.
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22 month old head injury
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On 9/19/2007 Maxine
wrote in from
United States
(24.230.nnn.nnn)
I was wondering could a 22 month old child have a head injury and a fracture of the C2. Show no affects of brain damage, until years later? Like in the short term memory,until they are teenagers? My daughter was involved in a car accident when she was 22 months old. She fractured her C2 and hit the child seat hard enough to kill hair on the back of her head the size 2" inches wide and 3" long. She has suffered headaches ever sense the accident and now as a teenager she has trouble sleeping, concentrating in school, and remembering thing short term. This had started 2-3 years ago and has gradually gotten
worse the older she gets.
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Thanks
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On 7/20/2007
Mike Ray
wrote in from
Germany
(84.178.nnn.nnn)
Thanks Dave. We will contact the airline and the Cleveland Clinic people.
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Air Travel3
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On 7/19/2007
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Mike
Another possible resource for the family could be www.medhelp.org which has a neurology/neurosurgery section. The family can post a question on the forum about their situation and a Cleveland Clinic specialist will give a reply.
DrD.
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Air Travel2
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On 7/19/2007
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Mike
Doctors who address this issue generally say that flying is safe several weeks after neurosurgery. There are rare case reports of patients with brain injuries developing bleeds in the lower pressure plane environment, but your grandson's doctor should be able to determine if this is a risk for him. The other issue is that if your family is traveling on a regular airline (non-military) each airline has a policy of when and whether it will transport patients post-surgery. You could contact the carrier for more information about your grandson's case.
Once again, your grandson's surgeon and/or neurologist are the people to rely upon for this decision. Knowing your son's current condition in detail, they can best advise as to his travelworthiness.
DrD.
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Air Travel
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On 7/17/2007
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Mike
While this is a decision that is best left to your grandson's neurosurgeon, I will see if I can find other information for you. Give me a day.
Dr. Dave
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Air travel after recent Brain Injury
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On 7/13/2007
Mike Ray
wrote in from
Germany
(84.178.nnn.nnn)
My 22 mos old grandson was struck in the head by a child in a swing about 6 weeks ago in Germany. He had surgery at a Frankfurt Hospital to remove a portion of his skull to allow for the swelling. After about 10 days he was transfered to a Pediatric Neurology Rehab Center in Necargemune, Gy. Also, a recent MRI showed that he had a stroke, perhaps a couple of days after the accident, probably caused by the swelling occluding a blood vessel. Now he seems to be rehabing very well. He is starting to walk again, he talks (as good as a 2 year old can talk), he eats well, hears well,etc. His only problem now seems to be with his left arm, but he is starting even to move it some now. They have not put the piece of skull back in yet, but that is expected to happen within the next couple of weeks.
My question is this. My son is in the army and is supposed to get out on Sept. 30, but we do not know if the baby will be able to travel. If they put the piece of skull back in within the next couple of weeks, would the child be able to "fly" back home? Is there a danger of the pressure in the plane causing him problems? We know that if all he needs is rehab therapy, he can get that in the states as good as he can in Germany, although the Germans are doing a very good job with him.
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Lynne's Question
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On 7/5/2007
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Lynne,
Ripstiks are pretty slow and can't be used to barrel down a hill, so they are relatively safe as skateboards go, but no-one, kid or adult should ever ride a board without a DOT, Snell or CPSC-approved helmet. You can't prevent all risks to boys growing up, but you can make sure they are protected against the obvious ones.
I would have a rule, "no helmet, no second chance - you lose the board." Otherwise, your son could wind up like the kid you saw in the ICU.
Send me your email at drdavidhartman@hotmail.com and I'll attach a copy of a nice clear article about helmets, boarding and head injury that I wrote for a skateboarding magazine a few years ago. Read it together with your son.
Dr. Dave
p.s. Wrist guards are also good because they are unobtrusive and prevent another very common injury - breaking your fall by breaking your wrists.
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RIPSTICK
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On 7/4/2007 Lynne
wrote in from
United States
(207.224.nnn.nnn)
My 11 yr old son really wants a ripstick. I used to work as a PICU nurse and swore no child of mine would ever have a skateboard or anything like it after seeing a 9 yr old boy with permanent brain damage from falling off a skate board. Am I crazy? Should I give in and get him one and insist on the helmet? Is that enough?
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Bad Mood Sven
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On 5/24/2007
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Sven,
Cranky mood after a concussion isn't unusual but it does tend to go away within a few weeks. Glad you're feeling better and hope that the next time you crash, the helmet and not your skull will take the hit.
Even hits that don't knock you out may be cumulative. There's evidence that boxers and maybe even soccer players who repeated head the ball get not right in the head after a while. Boarders take much harder hits than those guys, so it wouldn't take as much time or as many hits to suck out your IQ. Wear the helmet!
Dr. Dave
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Thanks
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On 5/22/2007 Sven
wrote in from
United States
(75.68.nnn.nnn)
Thanks for the advice. All problems seem to have cleared up. I think my erractic moods may be due to the end of the school year being near.
thanks again
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5th Anniversary
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On 5/12/2007
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Thanks Adam!
Having a website that looks at all sides of boarding, the technical, the instructional and the scary injury stuff as well is a great service to the community. Hope you will keep the site running for years to come and I'm glad to do my volunteer part. By the way, this is a labor of love, guys, no money or swag changes hands for this. I'll do it for free as long as there is a need. I was deposed about a year ago on a head injury case and an attorney asked me how much money I made consulting for this skateboard site. Made me laugh. I said I was doing this to save the lives of kids on wheels, and those kids don't typically have the $$$ to hire expensive consultants.
So remember, guys, I don't get anything for doing this, but if even one of you listens to me, puts on that helmet, and then lives when you might have otherwise died, well, that's worth more to me than all the $$$ or Swag anyone could offer.
Thanks again, Adam, NCDSA and everyone who has ever written in.
Dr. Dave
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Dr Dave's Fifth Anniversary on Ncdsa.com!
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On 5/11/2007
Adam
wrote in from
United States
(208.64.nnn.nnn)
From the webmaster..
This month marks Dr D's fifth year helping Ncdsa.com members understand the nature and severity of head injuries. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to Dr D. for his dedication to the cause of skateboarding safety!
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Sven'sConcussion
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On 5/11/2007
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
United States
(24.13.nnn.nnn)
Sven,
If you are still having symptoms, go to an ER or a neurologist, and ask whether you need an MRI. While it could be nothing, don't assume it's nothing. And DON'T TAKE telephone advice. Any doc who tells you there is nothing wrong with you without seeing you is risking your health and his license.
Dr. Dave
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Helmets
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On 5/9/2007 kludy
wrote in from
United States
(68.8.nnn.nnn)
YOUR BRAIN IS THE ONE THING THAT JUST CAN NOT TAKE A HIT. WEAR A FREAKEN HELMET AND LIFE TO SKATE ANOTHER DAY. i HAVE A FREIND THAT WILL NEVR GET TO SKATE, WALK OR EVEN FEEL THE TOUCH OF ANOTHER PERSON. tHINK ABOUT NOT ONLY YOUR LIFE BUT OTHERS.
(WEAR A HELMET )
i WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED MANY TIMES IF i WAS NOT WEARING ONE
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Oh yeah
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On 5/9/2007 Sven
wrote in from
United States
(75.68.nnn.nnn)
Please, please, please, Everyone, wear a helmet, so you don't have to worry whether you killed someone while driving home with a head injury, or wonder why your rearview mirror is angled so you can see yo' bad self, when you remember leaving it reflecting the rear view. etc...
just wear a helmet
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Concussion
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On 5/9/2007 Sven
wrote in from
United States
(75.68.nnn.nnn)
About 3 or 4 days ago, I suffered a concussion. I was bombing a hill on the way back from a coffee run, and I didn't have my helmet in my car, so I figured I'd be fine. 2 hours later, I arrived home and put my car in park. I looked to my left and saw bloody paper towels, felt sore all over my left side, tasted blood in my mouth and funny funny in the head. I could not remember a single event between starting the hill and putting my car in park. I never went to see a doctor, but we called a friend who was a doctor, and they said simply take some Tylenol and rest.
Ever since the concussion, I've had headaches, slight problems with memory, I am easily agitated, and my attention, already poor due to ADD, is just about gone.
Are these problems normal, or something to worry about?
The injury happened on the rear left side of my head, up and a little back behind my ear.
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