ALEX AVILA, Catcher, Detroit Tigers
When Avila took a foul tip that knocked him out of a game last August in Cleveland, he cleared a doctor’s examination, passed concussion tests, flew to the next stop on the road trip and returned to action for a full game before the worst of the symptoms emerged the next day, three days after the actual injury. That forced him onto the concussion DL for just over two weeks.
“He had what’s called delayed onset symptoms,” Rand said. “Obviously we have to keep an eye on that.”
The medical staff has adopted some preventative measures since then. Besides a more protective helmet, Avila now has to wear a CryoHelmet after every impact on his head, whether it’s a foul tip or a swing, with or without symptoms. The soft helmet applies cooling therapy directly to the head and the carotid artery in the neck, and is intended to reduce inflammation.
“And we put that on for 30-40 minutes after a game,” said Rand.
Avila wore the CryoHelmet after Friday’s game, Rand said. They were presented with the device last postseason, and they’ve used it since.
“The CryoHelmet is a new and truly innovative approach to the concussion problem.”
Marc P. Hilgers, MD, PHD, Medical Director Sports Medicine, Level One Orthopedics, Orlando, Florida
“The CryoHelmet is a slam dunk! I love the way it feels and will use it for the fighters who train at my gym”.
Lou Savarese, former heavyweight boxing contender and owner of Savarese Fight Fit gym in downtown Houston, Texas
In August 2010, my husband Lawrence Sheridan fell and fractured the back of his skull. Since that day he has experienced concussion symptoms, including head pain (which he describes as having a helmet on that is way too tight), ringing in the ear, his eyesight has changed, and some cognitive challenges. In our 4 years since the fall, we have searched out any and all pain relief including nerve blocks which have been of no relief.
We received the CryoHelmet, and this has finally afforded my husband of some pain relief. The sensation he experiences after using the CryoHelmet is as he describes as being equivalent to getting freezing when you are at the dentist.
We are now learning when better to use the CryoHelmet. When my husband is going to tackle major physical projects (ie. cutting the lawn), he will use the CryoHelmet first - then he can cut the lawn and the pain is not as severe compared to if he had not used the CryoHelmet.
The pain is frozen, and that finally is a blessing after 4 years.
Susan Sheridan - Ontario, Canada
This looks like a good product, one I wish my daughter had access to when she was playing high school soccer. I always cringed when the coach praised the girls for heading the ball. Awesome.
Marsha McKay DO
WOW! Great idea! This is so common sense, I am surprised we haven’t seen this before. I’m glad you invented an easy-to-wear helmet, which will help with adopting this therapy. Hopefully using a Cryo Helmet will become standard of care for recovery from sporting injuries, accidents, and cranial surgeries
Jackie Gorski
Awesome! Don’t forget the thousands of migraine suffers like myself who would also appreciate this product. If this kept me out of the ER, it would be worth every penny. I will be eagerly following the Cryohelmet as things develop.
Sharon R Bass MD