(Norton Healthcare) – The typical time it takes an athlete to recover from a concussion ranges from 2-6 wks and follows an evaluation at each step before the athlete is approved to return to play, according to Tad D. Seifert, M.D., director of the Norton Neuroscience Institute Sports Neurology Center.
The entire process can take as little as six to seven days, although this is somewhat atypical. Steps progress in terms of intensity and duration of physical activity, starting with noncontact activity for the first 72 hours.
Caution is required, as a second injury within a short period of time, from 24 to 48 hours, or possibly as long as 10 to 15 days, significantly increases the risk of catastrophic effects — and a much more prolonged recovery. CONTINUE