National Neurosurgery Awareness Week: Dr. Jeffrey Oppenheimer Discusses Head Injury Prevention from the AANS

From Dr. Jeffrey Oppenheimer

Dr. Jeffrey Oppenheimer says that with National Neurosurgery Awareness Week around the corner (officially held at April 10-16, 2011), the talk turns back to avoiding neural damage through related injuries. The year’s theme is: There’s Always Another Game, but You Only Have One Brain. American Association of Neurological Surgeons spokesperson Gail L. Rosseau, MD, emphasized that need for better public awareness in activities and other incidents that could possibly incur head and spinal cord injuries, especially in the field of sports.

This year’s NNAW, still focusing on the anti-sports-injury theme, is to be kicked off with the Community Kids Bike Helmet Day. This is followed by the evening sport-related themed AANS Opening Reception at the INVESCO field. Dr. Jeffrey Oppenheimer adds that a full gamut of sports-related activity stations, ranging from team sports, summer sports, winter sports, and the like, have been planned. There would also be streaming video presentations, special exhibits, and sports celebrity appearances.

From Dr. Jeffrey Oppenheimer

The reason the AANS had placed so much emphasis on sports-related brain and spinal injuries this year is the mounting number of cases of the kind treated in US hospitals today. In 2009 alone, an estimated 446,788 sports-related head injuries were treated, representing an increase of nearly 95,000 from the prior year.

Statistics from 2008 to 2009 are:

•Water Sports - 11,239 to 28,716
•Cycling - 70,802 to 85,389
•Baseball and Softball - 26,964 to 38,394
•Basketball - 27,583 to 34,692
•Football - 40,825 to 46,948
•Soccer - 19,252 to 24,184


AANS advises the use of helmets and protective gear approved by the ASTM International for a specific sport. Athletes must make sure they fit properly to get maximum protection.

Dr. Jeffrey Oppenheimer’s stance against brain diseases and injuries comes in no small part to his expertise in neural and spinal surgery. His full details can be found at www.premierorthoneuro.com.

From Dr. Jeffrey Oppenheimer