Four Concussions Haven't Kept This Student-Athlete from the Sports She Loves

For a young athlete playing at a high level, having an injury that takes them away from their sport can be devastating. Kaylin O'Meara, a junior at Emerson College, knows this feeling all too well.

Kaylin, who hails from Littleton, Massachusetts, played soccer and basketball growing up, including on club teams starting at age 8. During a high school basketball game her sophomore year, she banged her head on the floor while diving for a loose ball. Her pediatrician confirmed she had suffered a concussion.

A few years later, Kaylin enrolled at Emerson, where she made the soccer and basketball teams. As a sophomore, she sustained two more concussions during the soccer season—one in a preseason scrimmage and another in one of the last games of the year.

Unfortunately, Kaylin's experience is not uncommon among youth athletes. A 2016 study estimated there are 1.1 million to 1.9 million concussions a year among U.S. children aged 18 or younger. Meanwhile, a 2017 study found that less than half of high school athletes reported their sports-related concussion.

After seeing a doctor following the third concussion, Kaylin and her parents decided to get a second opinion at Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine. The team there has since helped her to continue playing the sports that mean so much to her. (Care available through Mass General Brigham Orthopedics Walk-in clinics makes it easier for athletes to be evaluated in a timely manner, especially if symptoms persist or recovery is not progressing as expected.)

"People ask me, 'Is it worth it?' It is to me," she said. "I can't imagine ever quitting soccer or basketball over this. That's because of the reassurance and care I've gotten from Mass General Brigham."

A customized return-to-play plan

The sports concussion team at Mass General Brigham includes a pediatric concussion specialist, a nurse navigator, two neuropsychologists, and a brain injury physiatrist, Johnny Jarnagin, MD. This comprehensive, multidisciplinary care model is rare in the region.

Dr. Jarnagin, who grew up playing football and hockey, understands the mentality of competitive athletes like Kaylin. "These athletes are really driven to treat and recover from their concussion so they can get back to their sport and compete individually or contribute to their team," he said.

Kaylin's third concussion caused headaches, nausea, whiplash, balance issues, and trouble moving her eyes and head together. After six weeks of physical therapy failed to address the symptoms, she went to see Dr. Jarnagin for the first time. (Seeking care from a specialist sooner is encouraged.)

At this point, Kaylin didn't know what her athletic future held.

"Concussions are a scary thing and make me very anxious," she said. "Dr. Jarnagin recognized that and made me feel comfortable talking about what I was going through. He was very reassuring that I was going to be okay and able to play again."

At the initial visit, Dr. Jarnagin reviewed Kaylin's medical history and did a thorough check of her concussion symptoms. Then he put together her customized return-to-play (RTP) plan.

Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine's RTP plan outlines six steps an athlete must complete before returning to regular activities like school or work and, eventually, competition:

1. Light aerobic exercise, such as riding a stationary bike, to increase the heart rate
2. Moderate aerobic exercise, such as jogging, along with sports-specific drills
3. High-intensity aerobic exercise, weightlifting drills, and sports-specific drills (all non-contact)
4. Contact drills and scrimmages
5. A return to practices, including full contact
6. A return to competition

Importantly, the athlete must complete a step without experiencing any symptoms before they can move on to the next step. Given that a previous history of concussions increases the risk for future concussions, Dr. Jarnagin always emphasizes the need for caution.

"Many athletes will say they feel fine, even when they're still having certain symptoms," he explained. "We stress that they need to get better—otherwise, they risk a repeat head impact and a longer recovery. It's critical that we balance the athlete's desire to get back to the field with the ability to do so safely."

Dr. Jarnagin tailors every RTP plan to an athlete's individual circumstances. Kaylin's plan, for example, included a referral for vestibular physical therapy to address her struggles with balance and eye-head coordination.

Thankful for 'game-changing' care

Kaylin sat out about two-and-a-half months following her third concussion. She rejoined the basketball team just as their conference schedule began and played the rest of the season without incident.