The treatment, recovery process and rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury depend on the severity and type of brain injury an individual suffers. Medical treatment generally begins with preventing further brain damage by stabilizing the patient, ensuring adequate oxygen supply to the brain, and relieving intracranial pressure. In extreme cases, medical personnel may perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Because little can be done to reverse the initial brain damage caused by severe trauma, brain injury treatment often focuses on preventing further complications and maintaining the patient’s consciousness. Once the patient is stabilized, medical practitioners are usually able to determine the severity of the damage by performing a series of imaging tests and administering neurological assessments such as the Glasgow Coma Scale or the Rancho Los Amigos Scale. Following diagnosis, a treatment plan can be developed.
Brain injury treatment also depends on whether the head injury is closed or open. In order to determine the effects of a closed head injury, doctors often utilize a number of imaging technologies and carefully monitor intracranial pressure. Minor closed head injuries may be treated with pain medications, blood thinners and plenty of rest. However, some closed head injuries may require surgical intervention to relieve intracranial pressure, create room for the brain to swell, and remove excess fluids and blood clots.
Patients with open head injuries are generally at a much higher risk of serious brain damage because they are extremely susceptible to infections. The first step in treating an open head injury is to administer anti-inflammatory antibiotics. Next, imaging technologies are used to assess the damage. Depending on the results, doctors may perform surgery to remove skull fragments that could lead to tearing of brain tissue. During surgery, skull fragments are often replaced with synthetic materials.
Individuals suffering from moderate to severe head injuries often require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation. Brain injury rehabilitation focuses on increasing the patient’s level of consciousness, treating complications and helping the patient regain physical, emotional and/or cognitive abilities. Because the consequences of a traumatic brain injury vary from one patient to another, Pensacola brain injury patients receive customized treatment that may include cognitive rehabilitation, physical rehabilitation and emotional support. In fact, brain injury rehabilitation is one of the most important parts of the recovery process because it allows patients to restore lost functions and reach the highest level of independence possible.
Each year, numerous individuals sustain traumatic brain injuries that require extensive rehabilitation, and thousands die as a result. Because of these devastating ramifications, an experienced personal injury lawyer from Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon strongly believes that each victim deserves to be compensated for their pain and suffering. To learn more about how our legal team can help you file a claim against the negligent party, please call our office.