Rehabilitation After Traumatic Brain Injury | Johns …

Posted: Published on October 24th, 2021

This post was added by Alex Diaz-Granados

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden injury causes damage to your brain. A "closed head injury" may cause brain damage if something hits your head hard but doesnt break through your skull. A "penetrating head injury" occurs when an object breaks through your skull and enters your brain.

If you have had a TBI, rehabilitation (or rehab) will be an important part of your recovery. Rehab can take many forms depending on your needs, and might include physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as psychiatric care and social support. All of these are designed to help you recover from the effects of your injury as much as possible.

Rehab may help:

Improve your ability to function at home and in your community

Help treat the mental and physical problems caused by TBI

Provide social and emotional support

Help you adapt to changes as they occur during your recovery

Rehab can also help prevent complications of TBI such as:

Blood clots

Pain

Pressure ulcers, also called bedsores

Breathing problems and pneumonia

A drop in blood pressure when you move around

Muscle weakness and muscle spasm

Bowel and bladder problems

Reproductive and sexual function problems

Rehab after a TBI is not likely to cause problems. But there is always a risk that parts of treatment such as physical or occupational therapy might lead to new injuries or make existing symptoms or injuries worse if not done properly.

Thats why it is important to work closely with your rehab specialist who will take steps to help prevent problems. But they may still happen. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before rehab.

Before you can start rehab, you must get care and treatment for the early effects of TBI. This might include:

Emergency treatment for head and any other injuries

Intensive care treatment

Surgery to repair brain or skull injuries

Recovery in the hospital

Transfer to a rehabilitation hospital

Every person's needs and abilities after TBI are different. You will have a rehab program designed especially for you. Your program is likely to involve many types of healthcare providers. Its important to have one central person you can talk to. This person is often called your case coordinator.

Over time, your program will likely change as your needs and abilities change.

Rehab can take place in various settings. You, your case coordinator, and your family should pick the setting that works best for you. Possible settings include:

Inpatient rehab hospital

Outpatient rehab hospital

Home-based rehab

A comprehensive day program

An independent living center

Your individual program may include any or all of these treatments:

You have many options for rehab therapy, and the type of rehab therapy that you need will be determined by your care team. Your care team will assess your needs and abilities. This assessment may include:

Bowel and bladder control

Speech ability

Swallowing ability

Strength and coordination

Ability to understand language

Mental and behavioral state

Social support needs

How long your rehab lasts and how much follow-up care you will need afterwards depends on how severe your brain damage was and how well you respond to therapy. Some people may be able to return to the same level of ability they had before TBI. Others need lifetime care.

Some long-term effects of TBI can show up years later. You may be at higher risk long-term for problems such as Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, and other forms of dementia.

After rehab you may be given these instructions:

Symptoms and signs that you should call your healthcare provider about

Symptoms and signs that are to be expected

Advice on safety and self-care

Advice on alcohol and drug use

Community support resources available to you

Your primary care provider should be given all the records and recommendations from your therapy team to help ensure that you continue to get the right care.

Before you agree to the test or the procedure make sure you know:

The name of the test or procedure

The reason you are having the test or procedure

What results to expect and what they mean

The risks and benefits of the test or procedure

What the possible side effects or complications are

When and where you are to have the test or procedure

Who will do the test or procedure and what that persons qualifications are

What would happen if you did not have the test or procedure

Any alternative tests or procedures to think about

When and how will you get the results

Who to call after the test or procedure if you have questions or problems

How much will you have to pay for the test or procedure

Read this article:
Rehabilitation After Traumatic Brain Injury | Johns ...

Related Posts
This entry was posted in Brain Injury Treatment. Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.