Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A TBI is damage to the brain tissue caused by a traumatic event such as a car accident, fall, or gunshot wound. These can be mild to severe. Mild TBIs are usually called a concussion. Severe TBIs may also be accompanied by a break in the skull bones or by increased blood pushing on the brain. People who have suffered TBIs may have lost the ability to do certain movements, feel certain sensations, and speak properly. They will need physical therapy to re-train movements and sensations so that they can get back as many of these activities as possible. The chance of getting these lost movements back with physical therapy depends on the age of the individual, the severity of the injury, and the amount of time that they were unconscious following the injury.

Many behavioral changes usually accompany TBIs. What these changes are depend on where the injury occurred in the brain. Some changes may be irritability, a decreased ability to reason, a decreased concentration, forgetfulness, and personality changes. Some of these changes may get better with time.

Here are some good web pages with helpful information about TBI:

• http://www.nih.gov/nidcd/health/pubs_vsl/tbrain.htm
  
• http://www.neuro.pmr.vcu.edu/
  

Other Neurological Conditions
Other Medical Conditions