Understanding the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Process
According to Headway, the brain injury association, there were approximately 356,699 admissions to UK hospitals with acquired brain injuries in 2019/20, with this number having increased by 12% since 2005/06. The severity and causes of these brain injuries vary, including injury from strokes, brain tumours and encephalitis (swelling of the brain.) Such conditions are not uncommon and therefore it is essential that we understand the brain injury rehabilitation process.
Many will argue that the increase in brain injuries has much to do with the relative increase in population over the course of the last 16 years, but it remains a significant concern given the long-term impact of acquired and traumatic brain injuries. To clarify, an acquired brain injury (ABI) is any type of brain injury that happens after birth. A traumatic brain injury is a specific type of ABI that occurs when a sudden trauma cause damage to the brain that could be caused, for example, by impact or when an object pierces the brain and enters the skull.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the typical brain injury rehabilitation process, while appraising average timescales and the outlook for recovery.
What is Brain Injury Rehabilitation?
The goal of any rehabilitation is to aid recovery and minimise the time required for a patient to return to full fitness (or as close as possible).
But what does this mean in relation to a brain injury? Well, the brain is a complex organ that can be extremely adversely affected in the event of trauma and an acquired injury, with any cells that are destroyed in this process incapable of being regenerated.
However, other parts of your brain can take over the roles and responsibilities of others in some cases, and brain therapy (or rehabilitation) has been designed to achieve this objective and return the organ to its full function.
Of course, the nature of rehabilitation will depend on the type and extent of the injury, while this will also impact directly on the prognosis facing the patients.
What About Timescales?
The same principle applies to timescales, which will vary depending on several factors such as the type and severity of the injury.
Usually, a precise timescale for recovery and rehabilitation can only be gauged in the first month or two after the injury occurred. Regardless, brain rehabilitation is typically a slow and arduous process that takes months or years rather than weeks.
You’ll have a clearer view of your prognosis and recovery after six months or so, while it’s recommended that you wait for at least a year after the accident before making any crucial decisions over your future.
It’s also important to note that these timescales refer largely to physical healing and rehabilitation. However, psychological recovery can take much longer, and you may need counselling depending on how the brain injury was acquired.
Why is Brain Injury Rehabilitation Important?
Obviously, rehabilitation after a brain injury can directly improve your ability to function at home and in your everyday life, enabling you to adapt to any physical changes that occur as a result of your accident.
At the same time, brain rehabilitation can also help to identify the need for social and emotional support, indirectly treating the mental issues caused by a traumatic or acquired brain injury.
While undertaking brain injury rehabilitation, you and your family can also consider the next steps in the wider recovery process. This may even include pursuing brain injury claims for compensation, as those facing the prospect of a limited recovery may have to cover any subsequent loss of earnings.
Of course, you can only make a successful claim if a third party was at least partially at fault for your accident, while bringing a qualified solicitor on board can provide some much-needed practical support during an inherently challenging time. If you want to ensure the best possible outcomes for your loved ones, both in the short and longer term, this is a process that should not be ignored.