Head injury rehabilitation

A traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain caused by a sudden external force to the head (head injury). The effects can range from a mild concussion to more severe injuries with potentially lasting effects impacting memory, mood, physical ability, and behavior.  

For many, recovery continues after leaving the hospital for a brain injury, and we understand how overwhelming that can be for you and your family. That’s why our team of neurological specialists provide exceptional support and clarity every step of the way.

At Affidea neuraCare, you’ll receive personalised care from a world-class rehabilitation team to support you through your recovery journey. Backed by deep experience and the latest innovations, we work to bring you the full potential of modern medicine that prioritises you.

Learn about the different types and symptoms of head injuries, and the specialised recovery and rehabilitation options from leading neurologists at Affidea neuraCare.

Traumatic brain injuries happen when the brain is damaged by a sudden force or impact. They can vary in severity and type, depending on how the injury happened.

A head injury may be one or more types. The main types are:

• Closed head injuries are the most common. This is when the head is suddenly rocked, causing the brain to shake inside the skull. There may be no visible sign of injury, as the skin is not broken.
• Open or penetrating head injuries are less common and more severe.  They happen when something goes through the skull and damages a part of the brain, such as a sharp object.  
• Twisting or shearing injuries occur during rotational forces in car accidents or falls, and can cause a type of traumatic brain injury called diffuse axonal injury
• Crushing head injuries are the least common. They happen when the head is caught between two hard surfaces and often affect the base of the skull and nerves.

Beyond how the injury happened and looks, it’s also important to classify how severe the head injury is. This takes into account how you’re feeling and the impact of the injury we cannot see. 

Head injury assessment

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a tool used to evaluate your level of consciousness as an early assessment for head injuries. It assesses your eye response, verbal response, and motor response to help identify the extent of your brain injury. Each response has a score and the total test score is 15. 

Depending on your score, your brain injury is classified as mild, moderate, or severe. A score of 8 or less is generally considered a severe head injury, while a score of 13 to 15 may indicate a mild head injury. 

Together with other tests and scans, this score gives an idea of the type of treatment and rehabilitation you may need.

Post-traumatic amnesia 

Post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) is a temporary state of confusion, disorientation and memory loss following a traumatic brain injury, often after waking up from a period of unconsciousness. 

It’s an important indicator of how severe a brain injury is, and it can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few weeks. Rarely, it can last months. The duration of this phase 

During this time, you may say or do things that are out of character. Common symptoms include memory loss of what’s just happened, feeling upset and angry, behavioral changes, and not recognizing where you are or people you know. 

While this can be a difficult time for you and your family, it should resolve with time and there are strategies available to help support you during this period.

Mild brain injuries and concussions

A mild head injury or concussion has a GCS score of 13 to 15 and a post-traumatic amnesia period of less than 24 hours. Most people do not lose consciousness.

Mild head injuries are quite common and don’t usually need an overnight hospital stay. They’re often caused by falls, traffic collisions, bumping your head on a hard surface and sports accidents. 

Common symptoms include fatigue, concentration and memory problems, and dizziness. They usually improve on their own within a few days or weeks. More serious symptoms can develop, such as blurred vision, fainting or vomiting, but this is rare. 

Post-concussion syndrome

Sometimes, symptoms can continue for longer than a few weeks. This is called post-concussion syndrome. While it may be frustrating and upsetting, the condition will eventually get better and resolve.

If you find your symptoms continue for more than a few weeks or increase in severity, speak to your doctor. 

Moderate brain injuries

A moderate brain injury has a GCS score of 9 to 12. You may lose consciousness for a period between 15 minutes and 6 hours, and have a post-traumatic amnesia period of up to 24 hours. Some people may be kept at the hospital for observation.

Moderate brain injuries can affect people in many different ways. You may feel very tired and dizzy, have headaches, and struggle with tasks, such as making plans or remembering things. Some people may also experience changes to their mood, such as feeling angrier than usual. 

Symptoms gradually improve with time, which can be six to nine months. You and your family do not have to go through this alone, and there are services available to support your recovery and help you cope with your symptoms.

Severe brain injuries

A severe brain injury has a GCS score of 8 or less. In this case, they may have lost consciousness for longer than six hours and had a post-traumatic amnesia period of more than 24 hours. They may also experience post-traumatic seizures immediately after their injury or in the weeks after.

More complex care is often needed for people with severe brain injuries, including hospitalisation and rehabilitation. In the most severe injuries where there is a bleed in the brain (called a haemorrhage), emergency treatment, including surgery, may also be needed.   

No two brain injuries are exactly the same. Some may cause effects right away, while others might develop over time. Understanding these changes can help you and your loved ones make sense of symptoms and get the right support.

How a brain injury may affect you includes:

• Physical effects – changes to the body and movement, such as fatigue, muscle spasms, problems with balance or coordination, and an increased sensitivity to your surroundings
• Cognitive effects – changes in thinking, including memory problems, difficulty concentrating or processing information, and struggling to complete tasks or make decisions
• Behavioral effects – changes in how you act or respond to situations, such as being more impulsive or quick to anger, feeling more shy or affectionate, or acting inappropriately
• Emotional effects – changes in mood and feelings, such as having mood swings, anxiety, depression, stress, feeling overwhelmed, uninterested or difficulties understanding other people’s emotions

While the effects of a traumatic brain injury can be challenging, support is available. With the right rehabilitation and care, many people are able to regain skills, adapt to changes, and live well following their injury. 

Second impact syndrome

Second impact syndrome can occur if you receive a second head injury before fully recovering from the first. It can cause rapid and serious complications due to swelling and increased pressure in the brain. Although second impact syndrome is rare overall, athletes who return to sport too soon after a head injury are at risk. 

It’s important to understand the second head injury doesn’t have to be severe – even a mild injury or concussion can cause this condition, including a blow to the body where force is transferred to the head. That’s why careful recovery and medical supervision are essential after a head injury. 

During your rehabilitation, your team of specialists are there every step of the way. They work closely with you to make sure your return to physical activity and daily life is gradual, safe, and aligned with your needs.

Rehabilitation is a key part of the recovery journey following a traumatic brain injury. It focuses on helping you regain independence, adjust to any changes, and get back to daily life. The type you need depends on how your injury has affected you and your specific challenges and goals.

Rehabilitation exercises encourage brain neuroplasticity. This is where healthy areas of the brain take over for the damaged areas by forming new nerve connections. This offers alternative routes for nerve signals, helping restore lost functions to a certain level.

The more you engage in activities and rehabilitation, the more your brain can adapt and learn new ways to work around your injury. That’s why we combine proven therapies and next-generation tools, such as virtual reality and robotic-assisted equipment, which are specially designed to promote your brain’s adaptive response to recover after an injury.

Rehabilitation plans often include:

• Consultations and assessments to gain a comprehensive understanding of your condition before your treatment and follow-ups to monitor your treatment progress
• Neuropsychology, which focuses on helping you understand and manage the emotional and cognitive impact of the injury
• Occupational therapy helps you relearn the skills needed for daily life to improve independence, such as dressing yourself, cooking, or returning to work
• Supportive care involves ongoing emotional and practical support for you and your family, such as counselling, peer support, and condition education

Whether you're rebuilding skills, adapting to new challenges, or finding your way forward, we’re here to provide exceptional care and support every step of the way.