Concussions Can Have Lasting Effects

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Research on football players, has found that suffering more than three mild concussions, greatly increases the risk of additional brain injuries.

Neurosurgeons say a concussion can cause a severe headache that may last for days. It also can lead to permanent damage to nerve fibers in the brain.

Dr. Michael Petr, a University of Florida Neurosurgeon, says everyday he treats patients with concussions.

"They are athletes, they're small children who have had accidents at home, they are motor vehicle accidents," he said.

He says he's seen patients come in with a concussion and look completely normal. Others, he says, are in comas.

The Duval County Public Schools has seen its share of sports injuries.

Bob Sefcik, the executive director of the Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program, works with Duval County Public Schools educating coaches on dealing with injuries.

"We've seen the full gamut of injuries -- everything from neck injuries to concussions," said Sefcik.

Sefcik is concerned, because not all the high schools in the Duval County Public Schools have certified athletic trainers.

"Somebody medically qualified on site, for our student athletes, is really necessary," he said.

Sefcik says medical personnel are often at high school football games, but he says 60 percent of the school athletic injuries happen during practice.

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