Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries can range anywhere from mild to severe brain injuries. Patients with mild-moderate injuries, as well as severely injured patients who have improved sufficiently are great candidates for outpatient rehab.
Traumatic Brain Overview
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) may occur when there’s sudden damage to the brain caused by a rough blow to the head. Traumatic brain injuries range from concussions, a minor form of traumatic brain injury, to severe permanent brain damage.
They usually occur from motor vehicle accidents, falls, as well as other major causes. All types of TBI’s, regardless of how it may appear, need to be taken seriously. A doctor should be seen as soon as possible, and you should keep an eye out for the signs and symptoms of a TBI.
What are the signs and symptoms of a TBI?
Symptoms of a TBI are dependent on the severity of the injury. Moderate-severe TBI’s typically include the signs and symptoms of a mild TBI, as well as other more severe symptoms that may appear shortly after the injury to days after.
Physical deficits & symptoms
- Dizzines (Mild)
- Headaches (Mild-severe)
- Persistent headaches that worsen with time may be caused by moderate-severe TBI’s
- Trouble sleeping (Mild)
- Excessive sleeping (Mild)
- Nausea (Mild-severe)
- Constant vomiting (Moderate-severe)
- Traumatic epilepsy (Moderate-severe)
Physical deficits & symptoms
- Loss of consciousness (30s-5m Mild)
- Loss of consciousness (5m-6h Moderate-severe)
- State of confusion (Mild-severe)
- Shortened attention (Mild)
- Memory problems (Mild)
- Difficulty concentrating (Mild)
- Slurred speech (Mild)
Personality or psychiatric changes & symptoms
- Fluctuations in mood (Mild)
- Depression (Mild)
- Anxiety (Mild)
Sensory deficits & symptoms
- Double/Blurry vision (Mild)
- Changes in smell (Mild)
- Light sensitivity (Mild)
- Sound sensitivity (Mild)
- Left/Right-sided neglect (Mild)
Motor deficits
- Loss of balance/coordination (Mild-severe)
- Weakness (Mild)
- Lack of endurance (Mild)
- Trouble swallowing (Mild-severe)
Management / Treatment
Traumatic brain injuries, regardless of the severity, are usually considered emergencies, and doctors should get involved to assess the situation as soon as possible.
Patient Wellbeing is Our Primary Concern
We understand the fact that payment is a concern, and sometimes a challenge.
What imaging is done for a TBI?
CT scans are performed in the ER to quickly determine whether or not there are any fractures, bleeding, bruising, etc. An MRI is mostly done when the patient’s condition has stabilized, and this gives a more detailed visual of the anatomy and physiological processes of the brain.
If there is swelling due to the traumatic brain injury, doctors may insert a probe into the skull to monitor this pressure.
What medications are used for someone who has suffered a TBI?
Some medications are used to limit additional damage to the brain immediately after the injury. These groups of medications include anti-seizure drugs, coma-inducing drugs, as well as diuretics to reduce the pressure in the brain.
CT scans are performed in the ER to quickly determine whether or not there are any fractures, bleeding, bruising, etc. An MRI is mostly done when the patEvery case is unique to the person and the way a TBI has affected him/her. At OneRehab, you will have a rehab program specialized for you.
The program may or may not involve many different types of healthcare providers. It’s essential always to have one person you can reach out to, and this person is often called your case coordinator/case manager.ent’s condition has stabilized, and this gives a more detailed visual of the anatomy and physiological processes of the brain.
Rehabilitation specialists include:
- Case Manager
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Recreational Therapist
One Neuro TBI Program
There are multiple rehabilitation programs for patients that have suffered a traumatic brain injury. There is acute rehabilitation, which is usually 3+ hours of therapy for five days/week in the hospital. There is subacute or skilled nursing rehabilitation, where 1-2+ hours of therapy are provided five days/week. Then there is outpatient rehabilitation, which the One Neuro TBI Program falls under. This is when the patient lives at home and travels 2-3x/week to the facility for 1-3 hours of treatment.
We do offer complimentary ride services for patients in this program, as we understand the difficulty for patients and their families to coordinate multiple visits a week.
We also understand the benefit of being able to access the equipment & technology in the facility, which is why we have decided to offer these services to best support the patient’s physical therapy. However, certain groups within the population can derive immense benefits from pelvic floor physiotherapy.
Rehabilitation specialists include:
Mobility Aid training
Learning how to use aids, like walkers and wheelchairs properly is extremely important. Our therapists walk you through the proper way of handling your assistive devices so that you can better your gait and start your path to independence.
Constraint-induced movement therapy
This therapy is used when there is one affected limb and one un-affected limb.
Robotic technology
Body-weight support system training (BWSS): Our pneu weight system easily supports weights over 300 lbs. and can be used to lift patients who otherwise are not able to lift themselves.
By taking off the patient’s bodyweight, this allows the patient to walk and move freely. Its ability to remove pressure from the spine is equal to having patients do aquatic therapy or exercises in a pool.
Using robotics can assist patients with repetitive motions, helping patients re-establish communication between the damaged parts of the brain and the body, which is crucial in stroke rehabilitation.
By taking off the patient’s bodyweight, this allows the patient to walk and move freely. Its ability to remove pressure from the spine is equal to having patients do aquatic therapy or exercises in a pool.
Using robotics can assist patients with repetitive motions, helping patients re-establish communication between the damaged parts of the brain and the body, which is crucial in stroke rehabilitation.
Virtual reality
We use virtual reality to make your rehabilitation journey much more enjoyable. The games used are rehabilitative and can help you attain your goals while enjoying the process.
Cognitive Therapy
Speech and occupational therapy help patients with difficulties processing, problem-solving, as well as judgment and safety awareness.
Physical Therapy
Our physical therapists can help you strengthen your body, recommend assistive devices tailored to your needs, and train you to use these devices, such as canes, crutches, or wheelchairs.
Neurologic Clinical Specialist Physical Therapists: A neurologic clinical specialist is a licensed physical therapist who has completed 2000+ hours of working with individuals who have neurologic dysfunction in a clinical setting. They must complete what is known as the most challenging exam for physical therapists in the Neurologic Clinical Specialist Examination. This ensures that patients who have suffered neurological deficits due to traumatic brain injuries are receiving the best possible care from the most highly-qualified clinicians to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Speech Therapy
Our speech-language pathologists provide rehabilitation techniques to maximize the ability of those with TBI to improve and manage cognitive function, language, and swallowing difficulties.
Certified Brain Injury Specialists: A certified brain injury specialist is a licensed therapist who has completed 500+ hours of clinical experience with brain-injury patients. Although TBI is not considered a brain injury, becoming a CBIS allows our therapists to be the most qualified in cognitive rehabilitation, language, and swallowing difficulties. A CBIS has extensive understanding in the innovative techniques used to maximize these abilities in patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists (OTs) focus on a range of techniques to enable you to return to work or a healthy daily routine.Our OT’s provide unique and specialized expertise to develop daily therapeutic routines and modifying activities to help you or your loved ones get back to doing the activities that they love most.
Along with being the top therapists in treating patients with neurological disorders, OneRehab is proud to be home to 1 of 9 Registered Medical Yoga Therapists in Texas. Our occupational therapists work to help you gain back your independence through unique techniques to ease your ability to do daily tasks such as cooking, managing finances, dressing, and personal hygiene.
Medical Therapeutic Yoga: Studies in TBI have reported improved sleep, improved energy, decreased anxiety and depression, and feeling more hopeful and calm. A recent study done by the Indiana-Purdue University School of Health affirmed that adults with TBI showed improved balance, flexibility, strength, endurance, and walking speed after initiating a yoga practice. The effects of yoga on these conditions prove to benefit patients with TBI and improve their quality of life.
Psychologists
Neuropsychologists specialize in the relationship between the brain and behavior. Neuropsych testing is important to evaluate a patient’s cognitive, emotional, intellectual, and academic skills. They assist in identifying the problematic cognitive and emotional skills in order to best treat them through psychotherapy.
Case Managers/ Patient Care Specialists
Case managers and patient care specialists act as a go-to resource for the family and loved ones involved in your care. From educating on different resources to communications with your insurance provider, they are there to help.
OneRehab is recognized amongst the top traumatic brain injury rehabilitation center in the Dallas area. Our comprehensive therapy center is conveniently located in North Dallas so that nearby patients (from Carrollton, Dallas, Garland, Murphy, Richardson, Plano, Allen, as well as other surrounding Dallas counties) have the ability to see therapists that are specialized in traumatic brain injuries that will create customized treatment programs according to each individual’s needs.
Resources
- https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/brain-and-nerves/traumatic-brain-injury/treatments.html
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8874-traumatic-brain-injury
- https://mayfieldclinic.com/pe-tbi.htm
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/traumatic-brain-injury
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/rehabilitation-after-traumatic-brain-injury
OneRehab
1761 International Pkwy Suite 135, Richardson, TX 75081, United States
Email Us
info@onerehab.com
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