Sports Neurology and Concussion Program

At the Weill Cornell Medicine Sports Neurology and Concussion Program, athletes and non-athletes with brain injuries and other sports-related neurological disorders receive expert neurologic care. Our specialized team is trained and experienced in diagnosing, treating and rehabilitating these often-complicated conditions. We create a customized plan and provide unparalleled care that meets your specific needs.

Our Approach

Our Sports Neurology and Concussion Program is led by a sports neurology-trained specialist, Arielle Lehman, M.D., who collaborates with a team of providers to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. We serve adolescents and adults ages 14 and above.

In addition to top-tier care, the Weill Cornell Medicine program offers expedited appointments. We intentionally keep daily appointment slots open, so you can receive prompt care after an injury. This rapid care helps reduce the impact of a brain injury on school, work, sports and daily life.

Treatment Tailored to You

Every injury is unique. At the Weill Cornell Medicine Sports Neurology and Concussion Program, every treatment journey is as well.

When you come to us, we initially investigate the cause and symptoms of your condition. We then perform a complete physical exam. Additional tests, such as brain imaging or cognitive evaluation, may be indicated depending on your individual needs. 

This information helps us determine a diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan. Whether your care involves therapy, such as physical, vision or cognitive, medication or other specialized care, we guide you through your options and start your tailored plan as soon as possible.

Your Team of Experts

The multidisciplinary team at the Sports Neurology and Concussion Program works to promote recovery and quality of life following a brain or other sports-related neurological injury. Your care team may include:

• Cognitive therapists
• Neurologists
• Neuro-ophthalmologists
• Neuropsychologists
• Neurosurgeons
• Occupational (vision) therapists
• Pain management specialists
• Physiatrists
• Physical therapists, including vestibular therapists
• Sports medicine specialists

Conditions We Treat

By turning to the Sports Neurology and Concussion Program, you can access expert care for mild to severe traumatic brain injuries as well as other sports-related neurological issues. Common reasons to seek our services include:

• Concussion - Symptoms of a concussion may include physical and emotional signs. Proper concussion care helps promote healing for first and repeat concussions.
• Persistent post-concussive symptoms - These occur when concussion symptoms, such as headache and vision changes, continue beyond the expected recovery period. 
• Mild to severe traumatic brain injuries - Care plans are tailored to the level of injury, ranging from symptom management for mild cases to comprehensive rehabilitation for more serious injuries.
• Sports-related neurological issues - Examples include athletes with seizures, dizziness, headaches, nerve damage and other neurologic conditions. We provide management options, including guidance on return to play.

Our Services

Our comprehensive care includes diagnostic and therapeutic services.

Diagnostic Services

Diagnostic services offered in the Sports Neurology and Concussion Program include:

• Neurological exam - A neurologist checks your mental status, strength, sensation, eye movements, balance, reflexes and more. All these tests help identify potential underlying issues that require medical attention.
• Cognitive function testing - This series of tests helps find potential problems with memory and other brain functions. Depending on the scenario, this may include a brief computer-based assessment or a more comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation.
• Neuroimaging - Advanced imaging technology shows how your brain looks and functions. Potential tests include MRI, which creates clear images of your brain using strong magnets and radio waves, and ElectroEncephaloGraphy (EEG), during which a member from the Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Neurology places electrodes on your scalp. These electrodes send data to a computer that shows your brain’s electrical activity.
• ElectroMyoGraphy (EMG) - This test helps doctors find out if nerves and muscles are working properly after a sports injury. During the test, small sensors are placed on the skin, and sometimes a thin needle is put into a muscle. EMG measures how well signals travel from nerves to muscles, which helps show if there is any nerve damage, how serious it is, and where it is located.
• Referral to subspecialists - This may include neuro-ophthalmologists, endocrinologists, epileptologists, and other physicians.

Treatment Offered at the Sports Neurology and Concussion Program

Once diagnosed, your team discusses treatment options. We then develop a plan that helps you safely return to sports, work, and life. A few treatments we provide include:

• Injections - Your care provider injects you with medicine to relieve headaches or neck pain and help you return to play or work.
• Headache specialists - For more refractory cases of headache, headache specialists can formulate a specific treatment approach to target your symptoms.
• Neuropsychology and cognitive therapy - A neuropsychologist or cognitive therapist identifies and treats problems in the nervous system that cause behavior or thinking issues. Therapy sessions may aim to improve your memory, attention or other cognitive issues.
• Rehab therapists - Therapists offer physical, vestibular, vision and cognitive therapies. These treatment options help you regain strength and balance, thinking abilities, and vision.
• Neuro-ophthalmology - Specialists work to improve vision affected by neurological issues after a sporting or other accident.
• Psychiatrists and psychologists - Experts help address emotional, behavioral, and mental health concerns that may arise after neurological injury, supporting overall recovery and well-being.
• Physiatrists - Specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation who provide treatments, such as medications, injections and therapy coordination, to manage spasticity and improve function after neurological injury.
• Pain management - Specialists provide various treatment approaches to help manage chronic pain caused by neurologic issues.
• Sports medicine - Experts in pediatric sports medicine and adult sports medicine provide conservative and surgical treatments to help you recover from sports-related injuries.
• Integrative health and well-being - Potential services include acupuncture, massage therapy, nutrition counseling and mindfulness coaching.

Guidance on Return-to-Play, Return-to-School and Return-to-Work

Our team helps you safely get back to your normal activities, whether that’s sports, school or work. This guidance includes monitoring symptoms, gradually increasing activity levels, and coordinating with coaches, teachers and employers to ensure a safe and supported transition back to normal routines.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Planning a visit to our Sports Neurology and Concussion Program? Here are some items to bring to your appointment:

• Copies of your medical history, related imaging reports and/or lab reports, if you have them
• List of any medications that you may be taking and their dosages
• Your insurance information and card(s) (HMO, Medicare, Medicaid)
• A list of any questions you may have for your doctor

If you are insured under a managed care plan, before your appointment:

• Confirm that the physician you will be seeing is a participating provider in your plan, and obtain any prior authorization, if required
• Confirm that any service you will be receiving is covered under your plan, and obtain any prior authorization, if required
• Obtain any necessary referral authorization from your primary care physician before seeing a specialist
• Be prepared to pay your co-payment at the time of service

If you do not have insurance or the doctor you are seeing does not participate in your insurance plan, please be prepared to pay at the time of service.

Contact Information

Make an Appointment

Please call (212) 746-2596 to make an appointment. The Weill Cornell Medicine Sports Neurology and Concussion Program is conveniently located at 520 East 70th Street, Starr Pavilion, 607, New York, NY 10021. We’re open Monday through Friday.

For questions regarding your appointment, scheduling multidisciplinary care (seeing multiple providers), or other Sports Neurology and Concussion Program inquiries, please call (212) 746-3113.