Mental nerve trauma in high school football player

By Mike Smith

Patient was playing a football game and was struck under the chin by a team mate, as both were attempting to tackle a ball carrier. He presented with momentary LOC for 3-4 seconds. Upon recovery he was dizzy and very shaken. I and the opposing team's physician, after on-site eval, decided to transport to the local emergency department. Fast forward to 1:00 AM after being diagnosed, checked, and discharged from the hospital he was completely 100% symptom free. His condition never changed during the days post-injury. We proceeded to our RTP protocol as a precautionary measure. He passed completely and was cleared by our team physician and myself for RTP. Our team physician diagnosed trauma to the mental nerve as the mechanism. In my 37+ years as a certified athletic trainer I have never witnessed this injury. Is there any research or other current literature on mental nerve trauma other than via oral/dental sources our martial arts? Does anyone have any information that you can share?

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