What Is Brain Injury/Trauma?
The effects of brain trauma vary widely. A mild brain trauma may require no treatment at all or only outpatient follow-up. Severe injuries, on the other hand, may require intensive care and surgical intervention; in the most severe cases, brain trauma can be life-threatening. However different the effects may be, all forms are grouped under the term brain trauma.
The causes are varied. In principle, a force acts on the skull and this injures the brain. It often occurs as a result of traffic accidents or falls; therefore, people of all ages can be affected.
The brain is the command center of the entire body. It is a complex network of nerves and tissue that carries out functions such as regulating the organs, thinking, speaking, moving and seeing. When an injury occurs in the brain, the consequences can be life-changing and permanent. The prognosis depends on the cause, nature and location of the damage. In general, two types of brain injury are distinguished: traumatic and acquired.
Types of Brain Injury
- Disease: Brain tumors can cause damage by pressing on nerves and brain tissue. Neurodegenerative diseases in which brain cells deteriorate, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's, also fall into this group.
- Traumatic brain injury: Occurs when an external force strikes the head, usually through a fall, vehicle accident or blow. The damage may progress first through the sudden impact and then through secondary complications such as bleeding in the brain or increased pressure of the fluid surrounding the brain (hydrocephalus). Secondary effects can contribute significantly to the overall damage.
- Acquired brain injury: Covers types of damage that are not hereditary, congenital or degenerative, and that occur after birth due to loss of oxygen to the brain (hypoxia) or cerebrovascular events (stroke). Cardiac arrest and infections may also be considered in this category.
- Birth-related causes: Lack of oxygen to the brain before birth (perinatal hypoxia) is a common cause in infants. The degree and duration of the oxygen deficiency largely determine the extent of the damage. Perinatal diseases, genetic or congenital disorders, difficult birth and very premature birth can also lead to brain injury; some of these conditions may present in early childhood as cerebral palsy.
What Are the Consequences of Brain Injury?
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to determine the severity of brain trauma. A score of 13-15 indicates mild, 9-12 moderate and 3-8 severe brain trauma. When combined with the results of further neurological examination, this assessment gives an idea of the prognosis. Whether the condition known as whiplash trauma, which develops without a direct force being applied to the skull, leads to brain injury is one of the topics debated in the clinical setting.
When the nervous system is damaged as a result of brain trauma, this can sometimes affect the body's ability to move in the long term. In this process, approaches that support movement function can be part of rehabilitation.
The Role of Orthoses and Functional Electrical Stimulation
Orthotic applications after brain injury can often be applied in combination with occupational and physical therapy and, where necessary, with functional electrical stimulation (FES). These approaches:
- May support the relearning of certain movements.
- May help compensate for existing limitations as far as possible.
- Aim to support independence in activities of daily living.
The choice and application of an orthosis vary according to the person's clinical condition and are planned in line with the specialist physician's examination, prescription and medical report. The nature, frequency and duration of the application are determined individually.
This content is for informational purposes; for diagnosis and treatment, you should consult your physician.
