Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disruption in normal brain functions caused by an external force such as blow, bump and jolt to the skull. It is also often a result of a critical sports injury or a car accident. It is a common condition and requires the utmost attention. It can happen to anyone but some are more prone to it than the others. In traumatic brain injury, physical therapists help patients to regain their physical functions and retrain them to perform daily tasks.Physical therapy will aid them in restoring their fitness and wellness. One must seek medical help immediately in case of traumatic brain injury. This article will introduce you to traumatic brain injury, its signs and symptoms and physical therapy for it. Our innovative care strategies at Skillz Physical Therapy will help you find quick relief.

 

  1. Introduction to traumatic brain injury

       Any age group could be a victim of traumatic brain injury. Children under the age of 4 can suffer from it as they are at a risk of injury from falls and child abuse. It can happen to adolescents from sports injuries and car crashes. Older people aged above 75 may experience TBI as they are prone to falls. TBI occurs when a violent force is experienced in the brain tissue. There are two types of traumatic brain injury:

  • Closed injury

In closed traumatic brain injury, the movement of the brain causes damage while the skull remains intact.

  • Penetrating injury

Damage caused by injuries which penetrate the skull such as a gunshot or puncture by a sharp object.

In cases of moderate to severe TBI specialized hospital and physical therapy treatment is required to treat grave physical, cognitive and emotional changes that result from the injury. About forty three percent of patients who suffer from TBI experience some sort of disability one year after the injury. Critical cases of TBI can result in coma. Consciousness can gradually increase but many brain functions are affected. Physical therapists are needed to teach patients movements in such cases.The intensity of traumatic brain injury is diagnosed by taking several factors into account. These factors include the ability to open the eyes, speak and move and the response to commands. Imaging is required to see what parts of the brain are affected or if there is any bleeding or fluid that might adversely affect the brain. Physical therapists often work with the medical team to find the injured areas so that they can design the right treatment plan.

  1. The signs and symptoms

Brain controls all our activities such as moving, thinking, sensing and social interaction. Hence, the symptoms of traumatic brain injury can greatly vary. Some of the usual symptoms are:

  • Weakness or difficulty in moving the arms, legs, body and head. The person suffering from TBI may also experience difficulty in sitting, standing, balancing, walking, lying down and changing position in bed.
  • Memory problems , difficulty in paying attention and solving problems. 
  • Changes in vision, hearing and sense of touch. Balance senses are also impaired.
  • Difficulty in controlling emotions or change in personality. 
  • Infants may perpetually cry.
  1. Physical therapy for TBI

The physical therapy treatment will vary based on the graveness of the injury, the patient’s level of consciousness and the problem the patient has. The physical therapist will work along with the patient, family and the medical team to provide an individualized treatment plan to work on the challenges and functional limitations associated with the injury. 

  • When the patient is in vegetative state, they are unaware of the surrounding activity. However, activities such as eye-opening on a regular sleep wake cycle, breathing and digestive functions continue. The physical therapist in this stage ensures proper posture and flexibility, decreases the likelihood of any problem such as bed sores and enhances the patient’s response to the environment. 
  • When a patient is in a stage of minimal consciousness, they show signs of awareness. These are often inconsistent. The physiotherapist in this case helps in stretching, positioning and equipment use. He/She will also work on generating consistent response to commands from the patients. 
  • As the patient becomes more and more aware, the patient will be able to participate more in physiotherapy. The physical treatment will include a combination of exercise, task specific training and a variety of equipment to help the patient recover. These include the following.
  1. The ability to be alert and follow commands
  2. Increase muscle and joint flexibility which is lost due to inactivity
  3. The ability to change position and move around in bed
  4. To sit and stand without support
  5. To balance safely while sitting, standing and walking
  6. The ability to practice functional activities
  7. Maintaining balance and coordination
  8. Decreasing fatigue that occur due to inactivity and enhancing energy and strength
  9. Returning to sports and other fitness activities

It is highly possible that the patient feels limitations in returning to his/her daily activities. A physical therapist will help you in bouncing back to the pre-injury activities by using equipment such as ankle brace, a walker or wheelchair. Feel free to Contact us or Schedule your appointment today at Skillz Physical Therapy.