Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano welcomed the third Texas Health Ben Hogan Concussion Center location Aug. 18 to provide physical and neurological evaluations and treatment plans for patients in the North Texas area.

Dr. Martha Grimm, medical director of the center and emergency medicine physician, said there was not a good referral base in the area for patients who suffered a concussion, and the other locations in Dallas and Fort Worth were too far of a drive.

Grimm said the center shares space with an

orthopedic group within Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. However, the center is so busy with patients that she is already looking to expand to a new office. The concussion center was made to hold a capacity of 40 patients per week, but Grimm said her staff is seeing 50 to 60 patients each week.

The center provides baseline neurocognitive testing to evaluate an injury but also provides post-injury testing and monitors a patient's healing.

Grimm said that while sporting injuries are thought to be the most common reasons for a concussion, they are actually the fifth-ranked cause. She said concussions can be caused by a fall, blow to the head or car accidents.

Another issue that Grimm said people don't realize about concussions is the recovery time takes about 21 days on average, especially for younger, growing brains.

Grimm said the whole realm of concussions is changing, and to ensure the public understands the gravity of concussions, she said her staff meets with trainers, family members and school administrators to discuss concerns.

"There's still a lot we don't know. [Concussions are] an invisible injury, so it's hard to say 'Just do this,'" Grimm said.