Brain injury rehab team - Activities restrictions brochure

BIRT activity restriction brochure 2010:Pediatric Feeding brochure 17/01/11 9:59 AM Page 1

Please note: • The following recommendations are not all-inclusive. If you have questions about a sport not on this list, ask your doctor.

• Every child is an individual. Part(s) of this brochure may not be appropriate for your child. Discuss any questions with your doctor.

• Adult supervision appropriate to your child’s development level is essential for all activities.

• It is very important to avoid a second or subsequent head injury or concussion as the effects of each injury compounds upon the others.

Brain injury rehabilitation team Physicians Dr. Peter Rumney Dr. Laura McAdam Dr. Ryan Hung

About Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital.

Our vision is to create a world of possibility for kids with disability. We pioneer treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.

Holland Bloorview serves about 7,000 children each year, with about 600 inpatient admissions and 58,000 outpatient visits. Holland Bloorview is a world-class teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. We train future healthcare specialists in the field of childhood disability.

The Bloorview Research Institute is located onsite, allowing us to integrate cutting-edge research and teaching with frontline care to improve children’s quality of life.

Tel: (416) 753-6019 Nursing staff Beverly Solomon (416) 753-6072 bsolomon@hollandbloorview.ca Lee McCullough (416) 753-6088 lmccullough@hollandbloorview.ca Lindsey Stewart (416) 425-6220 ext. 6473 lstewart@hollandbloorview.ca

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON M4G 1R8 Tel: 416-425-6220 Toll-Free: 800-363-2440 Fax: 416-425-6591 E-mail: info@hollandbloorview.ca

www.hollandbloorview.ca

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Activity restrictions and guidelines For individuals after an acquired brain injury

BIRT activity restriction brochure 2010:Pediatric Feeding brochure 17/01/11 9:59 AM Page 2

Recommended sports and recreation activities • swimming • snorkeling • cycling, rollerblading, skating (with helmet) • curling • walking • jogging • tennis and other racquet sports • cross country skiing • tai chi

Activity restrictions When no bone flap has been removed • No contact sports after discharge from rehabilitation (or the original injury if balance has not been impaired). For example, avoid: • rugby • ice hockey • tackle football • heading during soccer • wrestling • lacrosse • sparring martial arts • trampoline

Activity restrictions

Also avoid for at least six months:

When a bone flap is removed

• competitive team sports at the high school level • high pressure shifts to bodily system (i.e. scuba diving below one fathom or six feet) • weightlifting

• When awake, young children should wear a helmet at all times, even while sitting, due to impulsivity.

• Always wear a helmet when walking.

• Avoid contact sports.

• Continue helmet use until the bone flap has been replaced and healed (approximately 12 weeks post surgery or as directed by your Neurosurgeon) then follow the following activity restrictions.

Avoid high velocity recreational activities for six months after injury, for example: • high diving into water (higher than six feet/1.8 metres) • roller coasters, for example, the Bat, Flight Deck, Vortex and the Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland • extreme sports such as sky diving • ATV or motorcycle driving Life-long avoidance of: • boxing • kick boxing • bungee jumping • trampoline use in the home or unsupervised facility • ultimate fighting or mixed martial arts

Always wear a CSA approved helmet for: • rollerblading • ice-skating • down hill or alpine skiing • skateboarding • snowboarding • cycling • horseback riding • scooter use Driving: • Expect the suspension of your Motor Vehicle Drivers License or comparable until re-evaluated by the Ministry of Transportation (usually a six month process).

• Mini-bikes: No riders under the age of 10.

Drivers must be age 14 or above.

• Must wear a motorcycle helmet at all times for any motorized vehicle with 2, 3, or 4 wheels (including ATVs).