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TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Traumatic Brain Injury is a form of acquired brain injury but occurs due to sudden trauma. This can be in the form of a closed brain injury when the brain hits the skull or when the head hits an object. An open brain injury is when the brain is pierced by an object e.g a knife etc.

Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. A person with a mild TBI may remain conscious or may experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. Other symptoms of mild TBI include headache, confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision or tired eyes, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue or lethargy, a change in sleep patterns, behavioural or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking.

A person with a moderate or severe TBI may show these same symptoms, but may also have a headache that gets worse or does not go away, repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, an inability to awaken from sleep, dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, loss of coordination, and increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.

Following a TBI some people are left with residual disability of varying degrees. It is important that Physiotherapy is started early as the brain has great potential to adapt and change. Ongoing physiotherapy can assist you to maximise your potential for recovery.

Physiotherapy input begins with a thorough assessment of your problems and sets out joint goals to work for during therapy. Physiotherapy is aimed at the following:

  • Improve balance in sitting and standing
  • Work on functional independence from bed mobility through transfers and mobility
  • Decrease any pain or soft tissue contractures
  • Normal movement re-education
  • Improve strength and muscle control in the affected limbs
  • Increase stamina
  • Improve independence and quality of life
  • Tackle residual problems with balance, upper limb and locomotion
  • Integrate into the community through leisure and work
  • Promote problem solving skills for independence and safety

Treatment will involve hands on treatment as well as progressive exercise therapy and mobility exercise. Carers are invited to be part of the treatment to enable them to carry over the treatment plan into the home environment.

Our neuro physiotherapists will liaise with any NHS/social care team members involved to co-ordinate care including wheelchair assessments, orthotics and spasticity management.

Our overall aim is to encourage independence and maximise your recovery. Therapy is hard work but can be fun and our specialist physiotherapists will provide effective treatment aimed at your needs.

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