Gourley, Rehkemper & Lindholm

Recovery: Time, Patience, Rehabilitation & Treatment

Closed head injuries and other traumatic brain injuries are not the same as broken bones where a doctor can perform surgery and repair the injury back to almost as good as new with a little additional physical therapy.

Sustaining Measures Help Recovery

At the outset, because little can be done to reverse the initial traumatic brain damage, doctors and medical personnel’s primary focus is to stabilize the individual and prevent further injury. Often times this includes insuring proper oxygen supply to the brain and body, and maintaining sufficient and adequate blood flow all while controlling blood pressure. X-rays are performed to assess for fractures of the skull or spinal instability, and CT scan’s are often performed to assess damage to the brain itself.

Surgery May Be Necessary

If diagnostic testing reveals hematomas (ruptured blood vessels), or bruising to the brain, surgery may be required to remove or repair hematomas, to drain built-up fluids, or to relieve pressure on the brain to prevent further long-term damage to brain tissue. Once the individual is stabilized the long road of recovery begins. Because the initial injury to the brain cannot be reversed, the focus of treatment and recovery for individuals that have suffered a traumatic brain injury normally focuses on rehabilitation occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, psychology and psychiatric care and most importantly social support.

Rehabilitation & Therapy

Rehabilitation often may require relearning basic skills such as walking and talking and other basic skills with the overall goal of improving the injured person’s abilities to function at home and in the community. Rehabilitation is often an ongoing, long-term process that can continue indefinitely or until doctors conclude that maximum benefits have been achieved.

Long Term Care Plans

At that point, long term care plans and assistance will need to be considered in cases where rehabilitative efforts and severity of the injury make it impossible for the injured person to function at home or in the community.

Traumatic brain injuries are incredibly frustrating and depressing injuries to suffer through. Imagine not being able to recall cherished past memories or even what took place minutes earlier. Imagine not being able to perform normal everyday tasks or even take part in those activities that made up the identity of the injured person. The resulting impairment will often lead to confusion and agitation, denial, anger and depression, and finally an uncomfortable acceptance of the permanency of the injury. There are a number of recommended coping strategies that are much easier said than done. They include: slowing down, taking time to make a concerted effort to think things through, asking questions, taking breaks when necessary and carrying calendars or other tools to assist in documenting, planning and remembering various events.

While a traumatic brain injury is incredibly difficult for the injured person to cope with, it is likewise taxing on the family and friends that provide the much needed social support. The person that they have grown to know and love for the past however many years is frustrated, depressed and often times lashes out at those closest as a result of these frustrations. During the initial stages of confusion and agitation, family members will often times be asked the same questions of who are you?; where am I?; what happened?, so on and so forth, over and over again.

During this stage it is important to remember that nearly 99% of all patients eventually emerge from this stage.

Reassurance & Hope

Knowing this can greatly reduce the anxiety being experienced by family and friends. Becoming informed and educated on the injuries suffered by the loved one is most likely the best way that the family can cope with the situation. Understanding that the frustration, confusion, depression and anger are not a result of any sort of personal vendetta or ill-will against the family but rather a manifestation of the injury and coping process of the injured person can prevent unnecessary internalization and self-blame by the family members and friends providing social support.

Education

Education can also lead to ways that family members and friends can assist the injured person in not only recovering and dealing with the rehabilitation process but can also provide ways for the family to minimize situations that result in the frustration, confusion and anger that results from a head injury.

Careful Planning

Slowing and simplifying speech and questions to the injured person and minimizing stimulation and distractions can and do go a long way. Changing topics and suggesting physical exercise if practical can also be ways in which family members can defuse frustration and in turn, minimize conflict and frustration within the family unit as a whole. While it may seem passé, support groups are likewise effective ways to assist the family in coping with a loved one suffering from a traumatic head injury.