Bertuzzi is feeling better

Todd Bertuzzi has felt like himself the last three days, but he knows his real test is ahead.

Bertuzzi hasn’t appeared in a game for the Ducks since Oct. 14, when he suffered a concussion as a result of an open-ice hit by Minnesota Wild enforcer Derek Boogaard. When Bertuzzi plays next remains undetermined.

Over the last three weeks, recurring headaches and dizziness have prevented him from resuming his off-ice workouts.

“I wasn’t even coming down to the games here” anymore, Bertuzzi said. “I’d come down between periods and I’d get dizzy and get all sick again. I’ve been at home, laying around and doing nothing. It’s frustrating.”

Bertuzzi watched practice Sunday. He said he has not had any of the headaches that plagued him the last two weeks.

The Ducks are taking a cautious approach to the health of the forward, whom they signed to a two-year, $8-million deal in July when it was apparent that Teemu Selanne was strongly considering retirement.

Aware that Bertuzzi sat out four games because of a concussion while playing for Detroit last season, the Ducks say they are taking into consideration their winger’s welfare first.

Regarding Bertuzzi’s recent history, Coach Randy Carlyle said, “There’s always a concern. For sure.”

General Manager Brian Burke, relying on the knowledge that an MRI exam showed no serious injury, said he is confident of Bertuzzi’s ability to return.

“You’ve got to be symptom-free for a number of days before [the NHL] even allows you to begin activity,” Burke said. “But [Bertuzzi] came to camp with such a good aerobic base and he was in such great shape that we’re not concerned he’ll take a long time coming back once he’s cleared to go.”

Bertuzzi appeared to be headed for a quick recovery, but that changed when he incurred headaches after working out.

Said Burke: “Right off the bat, he had a couple of good days and it looked like he was well on his way. And then he had a couple of bad days, and it’s taken longer than we thought it might be.

“You never know with a concussion. That’s why it’s such a tricky injury.”

The concussion is the latest mishap for Bertuzzi, who battled a bad back, a cracked tailbone and assorted injuries last season while playing for Florida and Detroit.

The last three days have given him hope.

“I’m somewhat back to normal,” Bertuzzi said. “It wasn’t good for a while. If the last couple of days are an indication, it’s going back in the right direction.”

TONIGHT

vs. Dallas, 7, FSN Prime Ticket

Site -- Honda Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 6-7-2, Stars 5-6-2.

Record vs. Stars -- 0-1-0.

Update -- Dallas lost all three games on its recent homestand, including a 5-0 defeat by Phoenix. The closer Stars center Mike Modano comes to passing Phil Housley’s points record for a U.S.-born player, the more he struggles. Modano, who needs one point to tie Housley’s record of 1,232 points, has only two goals and three assists in 13 games.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.

eric.stephens@latimes.com