Recovering After a TBI Surgery

Recovering After a TBI Surgery 

Among the injuries that individuals could suffer in an accident, a traumatic head or brain injury is one of the most serious. Unfortunately, these head injuries are more common than many people realize. Some of the most common ways that an individual could suffer a brain injury include:

• Being involved in a severe motor vehicle collision including truck accidents and motorcycle collisions.
• Playing contact sports that have high rates of concussions such as basketball, football, and soccer.
• Suffering a physical assault.
• Slip and fall injuries while walking down the sidewalk or taking the stairs.

If an individual sustains a blunt or penetrating impact to the head, this can change the function of the neurons in the brain. This leads to an altered mental status which is the hallmark of a traumatic brain injury. Some of the symptoms of a TBI include:

• Feeling dazed or confused.
• Changes in hearing or vision.
• Issues with forming new memories or remembering old ones.
• Chronic, recurrent headaches that could be accompanied by vomiting.
• Irritability and emotional lability.

Those who suffer traumatic brain injuries could require surgery.

When is Surgery Needed for a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Not everyone who suffers a blow to the head will require surgery; however, many people will need the assistance of a skilled neurosurgeon. When an individual suffers a blow to the head, the brain might start to swell. Fluid in the body rushes toward the brain to start the healing process. This extra fluid causes the brain to expand. This leads to an increase in the pressure inside of the skull. If the pressure gets too high, the brain could herniate. A herniation of the brain could lead to death. Some of the steps involved in traumatic brain injury surgery include:

• Cutting a hole in the skull to relieve the pressure.
• In some cases, an entire flap of the skull might need to be removed.
• The skull flap is preserved in a solution to keep the bone alive.
• The brain is allowed to swell without being constrained by the skull.
• When the swelling reduces, the skull is placed back in the proper location.

Brain surgery is always serious, and the recovery process can be challenging. It is essential for families to keep a few key points in mind when a loved one is recovering from brain surgery.

Recovering After Surgery for a Head Injury

The first few days after brain surgery will be challenging. Depending on the extent of the operation, it might be a few days before the person wakes up. Surgery is traumatic and the brain tissue, along with the skull, needs time to heal. Like other bone fractures, the skull will take about six to eight weeks to heal. During this time, individuals might feel uncomfortable. Some of the symptoms include:

• Chronic headaches as the brain tissue heals.
• Irritability particularly when faced with bright lights or loud noises.
• Neck or back soreness as the fluid leaves the brain.

Eventually, individuals will be discharged from the hospital and will need to recover at home. The recovery process doesn’t stop when someone leaves the hospital. It is crucial for those recovering from brain injury surgery to feel the support of their family members and friends.

The Long-Term Prognosis

The prognosis of an individual after traumatic brain injury surgery could be improved with intense physical therapy. Some of the services that individuals might find helpful include:

• Physical therapy – which can help people strengthen their muscles, improve their flexibility, and increase their coordination.
• Occupational therapy– which could help an individual return to work after suffering a serious head injury.
• Speech therapy– which can help individuals learn how to talk, chew, and swallow.

Like other traumatic injuries, head and brain injuries vary in their extent and their severity. When someone requires surgery for a head injury, the goal is to preserve as much brain tissue as possible. While some individuals might make a full recovery after a head injury, others could be left with permanent, lasting complications.

Watch YouTube Video: The Road to Recovery Following Brain Injury. This video provides a look at the journey of TBI patients through surgery, rehabilitation, and recovery.

Contacting a Vacaville Brain Injury Attorney 

As a loved one recovers from a severe head injury, family members are often left with many questions. Unfortunately, there could be more questions than answers and individuals could be wondering what to do next. Speaking with a Vacaville Brain Injury Attorney can help families recover after a serious injury. Some of the resources that an injury attorney might share include:

• Looking at records from the accident and the hospital, making sure that all of the details have been examined.
• Assisting individuals who are interested in seeking damages related to the accident and its complications.
• Moving a case to the courtroom when necessary.

Families should remember that help is always available and they do not have to face this situation by themselves. Speak with a Brain Injury Attorney in Vacaville today. You could be owed a financial reward.

Vacaville Brain Injury Lawyer