Concussion & Sports Medicine Institute — Best Medical Center in Louisville 2026

The Aptiva Health Concussion & Sports Medicine Institute provides comprehensive, patient-centered care for athletes and active individuals of all ages. We are Louisville's most complete concussion and sports medicine program — led by a doctorate-level neuropsychologist, staffed with a dedicated vestibular therapist, and built to get athletes of every age safely back to school, work, and play. Same-week appointments. No referral required.

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Concussion Care Led by World-Renowned Neuropsychologists — Not Just a Clinic

Most places that treat concussions in the Louisville region are urgent cares, primary care offices, or general clinics where a concussion is one of a hundred things seen that day. The Aptiva Health Concussion & Sports Medicine Institute is different by design. Our concussion program is directed by Dr. Lisa Manderino, PhD, a neuropsychologist whose entire clinical focus is the brain — how it's injured, how it heals, and how to measure recovery objectively rather than by guesswork. She is joined by Dr. Nathan Ramirez, PsyD, who also trained at the world’s most renowned concussion clinic at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

That depth matters because a concussion is a brain injury, and brain injuries don't show up on an X-ray or a standard MRI. Diagnosing and managing them well takes specialized neurocognitive testing, an understanding of how the visual and vestibular systems are affected, and a structured plan for returning to activity at the right pace. Our team brings together neuropsychology, sports medicine, orthopedics, vestibular therapy, and vision rehabilitation under one roof — so a patient gets a complete answer in one place instead of being bounced between providers who each see only one piece.

What to Do After a Suspected Concussion

1 · Stop the activity immediately. If a concussion is suspected during a game or practice, the athlete must come out and stay out. Under Kentucky law, a student athlete cannot return to play the same day as a suspected concussion. "When in doubt, sit them out" is the rule.

2 · Watch for red-flag symptoms. Most concussions don't require an emergency room — but some do. Go to the ER immediately for repeated vomiting, a headache that keeps getting worse, seizures, slurred speech, weakness or numbness, unusual drowsiness, or loss of consciousness. These can signal a more serious brain injury.

3 · Get evaluated within 24–48 hours. For everything short of a red-flag emergency, the next step is a prompt evaluation by a provider trained in concussion management. Early evaluation improves recovery and starts the clock on a safe return to school, work, and sport. The Institute offers same-week appointments — call 502-535-2018

Concussion Symptoms to Know

A concussion can happen without ever losing consciousness — in fact, most do not involve passing out. Symptoms can appear right away or develop over hours to days. Watch for:

If you recognize several of these after a head impact, get evaluated. Symptoms that are dismissed or pushed through tend to last longer — early, structured care is what shortens recovery.

Our Concussion Services

Concussion Diagnosis & Neurocognitive Testing Comprehensive evaluation including computerized neurocognitive testing (ImPACT) and a full symptom assessment, interpreted by our neuropsychology-led team — not a checklist done in a hallway.

Vestibular Therapy Specialized therapy that retrains the brain's balance and spatial systems to resolve the dizziness, vertigo, and motion sensitivity that follow many concussions. Directed by our dedicated Director of Vestibular Therapy.

Vision & Oculomotor Therapy Targeted rehabilitation for the eye-tracking and focusing problems that cause reading difficulty, screen intolerance, and "things won't hold still" symptoms after a concussion.

Return-to-Learn Planning For students, a structured plan that coordinates academic accommodations — reduced screen time, extra test time, rest breaks — with the school, so recovery and schoolwork don't work against each other.

Return-to-Play Clearance A graduated, medically supervised protocol that brings athletes back to sport safely, ending in the written clearance Kentucky law requires for student athletes.

Baseline Concussion Testing Preseason neurocognitive testing for contact and collision-sport athletes, so that if a concussion happens later, recovery is measured against the athlete's own healthy baseline.

Kentucky's Concussion Law — What Parents and Coaches Need to Know

Kentucky was one of the first four states in the country to pass a youth sports concussion law. Under KRS 160.445, any student athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion during a practice or competition must be removed from play immediately and may not return to play that same day. Before returning, the athlete must be evaluated and receive written clearance from a physician or a licensed healthcare provider whose scope of practice and training includes the evaluation and management of concussions.

This is exactly the evaluation and written clearance the Aptiva Health Concussion & Sports Medicine Institute provides. Whether your athlete plays for a Jefferson County public school, a private or parochial school, or a club or travel team, our team can perform the assessment and issue the clearance documentation the school and the KHSAA require — usually within the same week.

This is general information about Kentucky law, not legal advice. Specific requirements may vary by school and sanctioning body; the KHSAA and your athlete's school can confirm the exact forms required.

Sports Medicine — Beyond Concussion

The Institute isn't only a concussion center. Our sports medicine and orthopedic team treats the full range of athletic injuries — sprains and strains, fractures, ligament and tendon injuries, overuse injuries, and the conditions that keep athletes off the field. With orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, on-site imaging, and sports medicine all inside the Aptiva Health system, an athlete who needs more than concussion care doesn't have to start over somewhere else.

→ Explore Sports Medicine → Explore Orthopedics → Explore Physical Therapy

Our Concussion & Sports Medicine Team

Visit the Institute

Address: 3611 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40218

Phone: 502-535-2018

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Parking: Free on-site parking

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon should you see a doctor after a concussion?

You should be evaluated as soon as possible after a suspected concussion — ideally within 24 to 48 hours. Early evaluation improves recovery and is often required before an athlete can return to play. Seek emergency care immediately for red-flag symptoms such as repeated vomiting, worsening headache, seizures, slurred speech, weakness or numbness, or loss of consciousness. For non-emergency evaluation, the Aptiva Health Concussion & Sports Medicine Institute in Louisville offers same-week appointments at 502-535-2018.

What does concussion treatment at Aptiva Health involve?

Concussion care at the Aptiva Health Concussion & Sports Medicine Institute begins with a comprehensive evaluation by our neuropsychology-led team, including neurocognitive testing and a symptom assessment. Based on the findings, treatment may include vestibular therapy for dizziness and balance, vision therapy for oculomotor symptoms, a structured return-to-learn plan for students, and a graduated return-to-play protocol for athletes. Care is individualized and coordinated by Dr. Lisa Manderino, PhD, our Director of Concussion Care.

What are the symptoms of a concussion?

Common concussion symptoms include headache, dizziness, balance problems, sensitivity to light or noise, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, nausea, fogginess, irritability, and sleep disturbance. Symptoms may appear immediately or develop over hours to days after a head impact. A concussion can occur without a loss of consciousness — in fact, most do not involve passing out. If you suspect a concussion, you should be evaluated by a qualified provider.

Who can clear a student athlete to return to play in Kentucky?

Under Kentucky law (KRS 160.445), a student athlete suspected of a concussion must be removed from play and cannot return until evaluated and cleared in writing by a physician or a licensed healthcare provider whose scope of practice and training includes the evaluation and management of concussions. The athlete may not return to play on the same day as a suspected concussion. The Aptiva Health Concussion & Sports Medicine Institute provides this evaluation and written return-to-play clearance.

What is vestibular therapy and how does it help concussion recovery?

Vestibular therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that retrains the brain's balance and spatial-orientation systems after a concussion. Many concussion patients experience dizziness, vertigo, balance difficulty, and visual motion sensitivity that don't resolve on their own. Vestibular therapy uses targeted gaze-stabilization, balance, and habituation exercises to speed recovery. The Aptiva Health Institute has a dedicated Director of Vestibular Therapy, which is uncommon among concussion clinics in the Louisville region.

Does the Concussion & Sports Medicine Institute treat children and teenagers?

Yes. The Institute treats athletes and active individuals of all ages, including youth and high school athletes. Pediatric and adolescent concussion care is a core focus, including return-to-learn planning that coordinates academic accommodations with the student's school, and return-to-play clearance that satisfies Kentucky's KRS 160.445 requirements for student athletes.

What is baseline concussion testing and should my athlete have it?

Baseline concussion testing measures an athlete's normal neurocognitive function — memory, reaction time, and processing speed — before the season starts, while healthy. If a concussion occurs later, providers compare post-injury results to the athlete's own baseline rather than to a population average, which makes return-to-play decisions more precise. Baseline testing is recommended for contact and collision-sport athletes and is available at the Aptiva Health Institute.

Where is the Aptiva Health Concussion & Sports Medicine Institute located?

The Institute is located at 3611 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40218, with free on-site parking. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and offers same-week appointments for concussion and sports medicine evaluations. Call 502-535-2018 to schedule.

Do I need a referral to be seen for a concussion?

No referral is required. Athletes, parents, schools, and coaches can contact the Institute directly to schedule a concussion evaluation. We accept most major insurance, auto insurance, and workers' compensation, and offer cash-pay options. Call 502-535-2018 to schedule.

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