NBA Injury Update: Paul George concussion. Knee to the head.

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Pacers guard Paul George was diagnosed with a concussion this past Wednesday, after suffering a knee to the head during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of 2014 NBA Eastern Conference Finals the night before. As a result of Paul George’s concussion, he must undergo several NBA-required procedures before he can return to the court and play against Miami Heat on Saturday. Unable to keep his balance while stealing the ball from Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, he fell on the court, upon which he received a hit in the back of his head from Wade, who was also going for the ball. George remained down for a few seconds, but then played the rest of the game, later revealing that he actually “blacked out.” This is a serious example of a common NBA injury.
 
“Paul George’s concussion is pretty significant. Just because he said he blacked out and was able to play the rest of the game doesn’t mean that he’ll be fine for Saturday. He needs to be monitored and checked because if he gets another concussion on Saturday, so soon after this original concussion, there’s a risk that he’ll get some kind of serious brain damage that will effect the rest of his career. That being said, if he’s monitored properly, I think he’ll do very well and I’m grateful to know that the program directors for the NBA are checking him out, to make sure he’s alright, and I hope he does well,” says Manhattan Orthopedic Care’s board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Armin M. Tehrany, MD, FAAOS.
Paul George’s case is a good example of the fact that symptoms of concussion do not always present immediately, and that players who suffer such injuries need to be closely monitored before being given clearance to return to the game.