Recovering from TBI

Recovery after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) looks different for every patient. The extent of recovery and the types of treatment involved will depend on the type of brain injury suffered and the severity of damage to the brain tissue. However, many brain injury patients do have one main thing in common–recovery can be long-lasting and difficult. Some brain injury patients never fully recover from their injuries and must instead adjust to life with permanent impairments. The following is some brief information regarding the TBI recovery process.

Initial Treatment and Surgeries

As soon as an individual with a suspected brain injury arrives at the hospital emergency room, medical professionals will begin checking to see if the individual needs stabilization, surgery, or other major forms of treatment to keep them alive. Initial treatment is often focused on avoiding secondary injuries and complications, monitoring and relieving intracranial pressure, and performing emergency surgery if needed.

For victims with mild TBI, initial treatment may revolve around brain imaging tests to determine the exact nature of the brain injury, as well as physiological and mental tests to determine impairments due to the injury.

Medication for Brain Injury

Many different kinds of medications may be used during recovery from a traumatic brain injury, from the initial emergency care to the weeks, months, and years following the injury to treat the effects of the TBI. These medications can treat physical symptoms, can help with emotional regulation and mental conditions, can improve cognitive functioning, and more. These medications can not only be costly but may have many side effects for victims.

Rehabilitation for Brain Injury

The length of the rehabilitation period for TBI patients will depend on whether they suffered a mild, moderate, or severe brain injuries. A mild TBI may only take days or weeks to heal and a patient may return to normal condition without much significant rehabilitative assistance. In cases involving moderate TBI, symptoms may last for months and a patient may require rehabilitative services to improve functioning enough to return to school, work, or even regular social or recreational activities. For patients of severe traumatic brain injuries, some effects and impairments are likely permanent and rehabilitation will involve learning skills to cope with impairments and adapt their lives more than recovering from their symptoms.

Professionals Involved In The Recovery Process

Many different professionals can be a part of the TBI recovery process, including the following:

Emergency trauma care doctors and nurses;
Neurologists and/or neurosurgeons;
Physical therapists;
Speech language pathologists;
Occupational therapists;
Psychologists or psychiatrists.

Call a Baltimore Brain Injury Attorney at The Casper Firm For Help

Recovery from a traumatic brain injury may be ongoing, long-lasting, and challenging. Services during this recovery process can be expensive and it is understandable that patients often want to know their legal rights. If you suffered a TBI in an accident that you believe was caused by the negligence of another party, you should not hesitate to call an experienced brain injury attorney to discuss your rights. At The Casper Firm, we can advise you whether you have a viable legal claim and will work to ensure you receive the full amount of compensation you deserve. We offer free consultations, so please do not delay in discussing your case with us today.