Contractures After Brain Injury: Causes and Prevention

shop-mgr2023-01-09T12:25:58+08:00 Contractures are a common secondary complication of brain injury. They limit joint movement and can interfere with activities of daily living. Without appropriate management, tight muscles can become permanent contractures. Therefore, it’s essential to know why contractures occur and how to minimize their impact on your day-to-day life. What Causes Contractures After Brain Injury? Movement is caused by the lengthening and shortening of opposing muscle groups. Contractures occur when muscle fibers consistently remain in a shortened state, causing a fixed tightening across the associated joint(s). This causes a decrease in range of motion and frequently limits one’s functional capacity. The most common areas...

Posturing After Brain Injury: Types and Recovery Outlook

shop-mgr2023-01-09T12:14:34+08:00 Abnormal posturing is a common outcome of severe brain injury. It refers to involuntary and abnormal positioning of the body due to preserved motor reflexes. The presence of posturing after TBI suggests a grim recovery outlook. However, prompt diagnosis and treatment may help improve outcomes. Types Of Posturing That Can Occur After Brain Injury There are 2 main types of posturing that may occur after a severe traumatic brain injury: decorticate and decerebrate posturing. While each type of posturing has its characteristic features, they can present themselves differently in each individual. For example, some individuals may only show signs of abnormal posturing on...

Muscle Weakness After Concussion: Causes, Signs, and Treatment

shop-mgr2023-01-09T12:10:36+08:00 Following a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury, individuals may experience muscle weakness. Fortunately, the effects of most concussions are temporary and resolve on their own. However, it is also possible for the effects of a concussion to last longer, which may require more active rehabilitation. Why Does Muscle Weakness Occur After Concussion? Generally, muscle weakness occurs after a concussion when the areas of the brain responsible for voluntary motor control become damaged. Individuals who experience muscle weakness after a concussion generally find that it only affects one side of the body. This is because the brain consists of two hemispheres and...

Understanding Neurostorming: Causes, Signs, Risks, and Treatment

shop-mgr2023-06-07T11:00:17+08:00 Following a severe traumatic brain injury, individuals may experience neurostorming (also called paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity). Neurostorming involves a sudden and exaggerated stress response as a result of damage to the brain. For example, individuals may experience a sudden surge in blood pressure, heart rate, and/or body temperature. Neurostorming is a common effect of severe brain injury and generally occurs while individuals are in a comatose state. With appropriate treatment and time, there is hope for individuals to overcome storming, regain consciousness, and work towards successfully recovering from brain injury. What is Neurostorming? Neurostorming refers to a hyperactive response of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) after...

Secondary Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury: What to Expect

shop-mgr2023-01-09T12:05:23+08:00 Depending on the location and severity of one’s traumatic brain injury (TBI), individuals may experience a wide variety of secondary effects. Because no two brain injuries are exactly the same, each person experiences TBI and its effects differently. To help you understand what to expect following a TBI, this article will go over the most common secondary effects. Understanding Secondary Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury Secondary effects of TBI refer to conditions that result from the initial brain injury. Some complications may not develop until several months later while others will be present immediately. Fortunately, many of these effects and conditions are treatable,...