Concussion doctor · St. Louis
You did not have to black out to have a brain injury
More than 90% of concussions happen with no loss of consciousness. Losing consciousness does not predict who goes on to have lasting symptoms — and a normal CT scan does not rule a concussion out. If you were told you were fine and you are not fine, that is worth taking seriously.
Concussion evaluation in St. Louis. Call (314) 887-5866.
Can you have a concussion without blacking out or with a normal CT?
- “You didn’t lose consciousness, so it’s not a concussion.” Loss of consciousness is one of four alternative criteria in the standard definition — not a requirement. It occurs in roughly 5–9% of concussions.
- “Your scan was normal, so nothing is wrong.” A CT tests for bleeding, fracture and mass effect. It is not designed to detect a concussion.
- “If it were serious you’d have blacked out.” In 1,507 tracked concussions, loss of consciousness showed no association with developing persistent symptoms.
Read the evidence, with sources →
How is a concussion diagnosed?
Concussion is a clinical diagnosis supported by targeted testing. We examine the vestibulo-ocular system — the most productive area in persistent concussion and one invisible to routine imaging — using videonystagmography and structured symptom instruments repeated over time.
Where to start
- Concussion Without Loss of Consciousness
- The Long-Term Effects of Concussion
- Concussion Diagnosis and Testing
- Concussion Treatment
- PTSD and Post-Concussion Syndrome
- Concussion in Injury Claims
- Life Care Planning After Brain Injury
About Dr. Padda
Concussion Center is directed by Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP — board certified in anesthesiology, pain medicine, interventional pain, addiction medicine and obesity medicine, and a certified rater for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Credentials, written to be checked →
His peer-reviewed record is registered under ORCID 0009-0001-0166-3186.
Frequently asked questions
What do they do at a concussion clinic?
Here, concussion is diagnosed clinically and backed by targeted testing. We examine the vestibulo-ocular system, the link between balance and eye movement, using videonystagmography. It is the most productive area to test in persistent concussion, and routine imaging cannot see it. Structured symptom questionnaires are repeated over time, so your progress is measured rather than guessed.
Are concussion clinics worth it?
Yes, if you were told you were fine and you are not fine. More than 90% of concussions happen with no loss of consciousness, and a normal CT scan does not rule a concussion out, because a CT looks for bleeding, fracture and mass effect. A concussion clinic tests what routine imaging misses, starting with the vestibulo-ocular system.
What type of doctor should I see after a concussion?
See a physician who evaluates the concussion itself instead of stopping at a normal scan. Concussion Center is directed by Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP, board certified in anesthesiology, pain medicine, interventional pain, addiction medicine and obesity medicine, and a certified rater for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Evaluations use vestibulo-ocular testing and symptom measures repeated over time.
Visit
4477 Woodson Rd, Suite 105, St. Louis, MO 63134
(314) 887-5866
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Serving the greater St. Louis region, Missouri and Illinois.