Outcomes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Outcomes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are some of the most devastating injuries that someone can sustain. Unlike other parts of the body, the neurons in the central nervous system often do not regenerate once they are damaged. This can lead to lifelong complications that impact not only the person sustaining the injury but also his or her family and friends. Some of the statistics regarding traumatic brain injuries that were published by the Brain Trauma Foundation include:

• Brain trauma is the second most common disability in the United States.
• This disability impacts over 13 million people across the country.
• According to their numbers, about 2.5 million people suffer some form of TBI yearly.
• Of all deaths due to injuries, a TBI is listed as a contributing part in a third of them.

These numbers show that not only are TBIs common, but they can also be deadly. Those who survive their injuries might end up with serious complications that could last for the rest of their life. For this reason, understanding the outcomes of TBIs is of great importance. This was the goal of a study that was published recently.

The Study: Recovery from a Traumatic Brain Injury Two Years Later

Medical researchers tracked nearly 200 individuals who had suffered a TBI. Some of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries include:

• Motor vehicle collisions, including auto accidents.
• Slip and fall injuries include those on an icy road or a wet floor.
• Physical assault.
• Sports injuries.

The group underwent intense physical therapy and rehab through programs at a local hospital. After rehab, they were tracked for about two years. Most of the people in this study group had suffered a TBI that was categorized as severe, meaning that they had suffered a severe loss of functional abilities in more than one area. The researchers documented the recovery process in numerous areas, such as:

• Physical mobility
• Medical complications
• Mental status, such as cognition
• Activities of daily living
• Recreational ability
• The ability to return to work or school
• Communication abilities
• Judgment and behavior

Some of the pertinent results of this study, published in Brain Injury, include:

• The majority of the individuals were eventually able to care for themselves in most areas of daily living.
• About a third of the individuals still required assistance for transport.
• About half of the individuals who previously held a job could not return to work.
• Two-thirds reported having residual cognitive, emotional, and behavioral issues.

These numbers show that traumatic brain injuries can still have residual effects two years after the accident.

Treating a Traumatic Brain Injury

The treatment of a TBI consists of both emergency care after the accident (which can include emergency surgery, blood pressure medications, and supplemental oxygen) and long-term care. Some of the essential pieces of long-term care include:

• Physical therapy to help regain motor function.
• Medical subspecialists who can help with the sensory issues.
• The management of chronic pain.

Ultimately, the outcome of a TBI will vary from case to case. Like other injuries, some TBIs are more severe than others. The faster an individual receives medical care, the better their prognosis.

Watch YouTube Video: Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury. Dr. Ronald Gefaller explains what happens during a traumatic brain injury in this educational video.

Contacting a Brain Injury Lawyer

If someone you care about has suffered a head or brain injury, this could lead to many questions. Loved ones often wonder how the accident happened in the first place if anything could have been done to avoid it, and what the future will hold. This uncertainty can create significant stress, leaving loved ones searching for answers. Meeting with a brain injury lawyer in the Bay Area is a great first step when this happens. Some of the ways that an injury attorney can help include:

• Review the records from the accident to ensure nothing has been missed.
• Ensuring that the mechanism of the accident listed in the report is correct.
• Helping families pursue damages related to head injury, its sequelae, and its complications.
• Moving a case to trial when needed.

Families should never feel like they need to face these challenges alone. Enlisting the help of a Bay Area brain injury lawyer can help families recover. Do not hesitate to ask for help during a difficult time. Someone is always available to lend a helping hand.

San Francisco Brain Injury Attorneys