Locked-In Syndrome Complications
People can sustain many different injuries in an accident, and one of the most serious of these is a traumatic brain injury. A traumatic brain injury occurs when someone sustains a direct impact to the skull. This leads to damage to the brain tissue inside the skull. Depending on the location of the injury inside of the skull, different symptoms can show up. According to some of the statistics that have been published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Car accidents are the third most common reason why people visit the emergency room for a traumatic brain injury.
- The most common cause of a traumatic brain injury is a slip and fall injury.
- Traumatic brain injuries are most common in toddlers, adolescents, and the elderly.
- Another leading cause of a traumatic brain injury is being struck by an object.
Regardless of the cause, head and brain injuries are typically serious. These have the potential to cause significant, lifelong complications that impact not only the individual but also their loved ones.
Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries can range in severity just like the accidents that cause them. Because of this, the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury will vary as well. Some of these symptoms could include:
- An obvious physical defect in the skull due to an impact
- A severe headache
- The development of chronic aches and pains
- A possible loss of consciousness
- Difficulty with remembering old memories or generating new ones
- The trouble with hearing and vision
- Changes in personality
Some people may have only a couple of these symptoms while others might demonstrate all of them. It is important to seek treatment early because this could prevent the development of dangerous complications.
Common Complications of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries are dangerous not only in the immediate aftermath but also down the road because of the complications that could develop. Some of these complications may not show themselves until significantly after the initial impact was sustained. A few of the most serious complications are:
Chronic Pain: All of the body’s pain signals are processed in the brain. If the brain is damaged, it could have issues processing these signals. Therefore, the brain could perceive pain when it isn’t there.
Swelling in the Skull: Another serious complication is swelling of the brain inside of the skull. Like other body parts that are injured, the brain responds by swelling. This swelling comes from the fluid that is sent to the brain to start the healing process. If it swells too much, it could lead to a herniation. This might be fatal.
An often overlooked complication is called Locked-In Syndrome. However, this is a terrifying complication.
What is Locked-In Syndrome?
The brain’s function depends on the delicate and intricate communication between nerve fibers that span the length of the body. A significant portion of these fibers passes through the brainstem. One part of the brainstem is called the pons. In some cases, the pons is damaged by a traumatic brain injury. When this happens, all communication in either direction through the pons is cut off. This leads to something called Locked-In Syndrome. In this syndrome, the individuals are completely unable to move any part of their body.
In many cases, they are dependent on a ventilator. The terrifying part of this syndrome is that the individuals are entirely conscious and aware of everything that is going on. They are able to feel everything that is happening to them. Without the ability to communicate, their family members may assume that they are in a coma. In some cases, the individuals are able to communicate by blinking their eyes.
The animated video below explains what happens to a person with Locked-In Syndrome and why is it considered one of the worst conditions out there.
Assistance from a Personal Injury Law Firm
Regardless of the reason why someone has suffered a traumatic brain injury, it is vital to seek medical care as quickly as possible. The complications of a traumatic brain injury, such as Locked-In Syndrome, can be devastating. This can leave loved ones under extreme stress with a variety of questions. For this reason, it is important to meet with a Sacramento injury lawyer. A trained legal adviser has the experience necessary to help families through these difficult times.
Related Articles ~
- A Few Statistics on Traumatic Brain Injuries
- The Risk Factors of a Traumatic Brain Injury
- Common Causes of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. When a loved one develops Locked-In Syndrome after a traumatic brain injury, this could become a lifelong, devastating complication. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/A Serious Complication of a TBI: Locked-In Syndrome.
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