Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms (Post-Concussion Syndrome)

There’s no way to diagnose PCS directly because no specific test can confirm a concussion. Instead, a healthcare provider diagnoses a concussion — and later, PCS — based on their clinical judgment and a person’s symptoms. They’ll do that using several tools and methods, including:

• A physical and neurological (nervous system function) exam.
• Talking to you about the injury that caused your concussion and your symptoms since then.
• Imaging scans like computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans or X-rays (these can help diagnose or rule out complications like skull and neck fractures, brain bleeds and other brain injuries).

If a healthcare provider suspects you have PCS, they’ll ask you to schedule follow-up visits to track any changes in your symptoms. They may repeat many of the same tests or ask you the same questions at each follow-up visit. They do that to track your symptoms and look for any changes, even subtle ones, which signal shifts in your condition.

Other tests your provider may recommend can vary depending on your medical history and symptoms. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about their recommended tests and why they think these might help.