Head injuries Flashcards
concussion
mild form of TBI
- might or might not involve LOC
how does one get a concussion?
direct contact and/or acceleration/deceleration forces
- a direct blow to the head doesnt have to occur
MOA of a concussion
injury causes stretching of axons leading to a metabolic cascade
whiplash injury
injury of inertia
coup: bone hits the frontal region of brain
contrecoup: bone hits the occipital region of the brain
dashboard injury
injury of momentum
coup: frontal region of brain hits the skull
contrecoup: occipital region of brain hits the skull
epidemiology of TBI
MVA (45%) falls occupational recreational assults
who has a higher risk of having a TBI
women in everysport
GCS low/high
high- 15
low- 3
components of the GCS
eye opening
best verbal response
best motor response
hallmarks of concussin
confusion and amnesia
- usually can recall what happened before and after event
early signs of concussion
confusion amnesia HA N/V vacant stare lack of coordination etc
late findings
- emotional reactions out of proportion to circumstances
- cog, sleep, mood disturbances
grade 1
transient confusion
NO LOC
symptoms resolve within 15 min
grade 2
transient confusion
NO LOC
persist longer than 15 min
grade 3
any LOC
acute evaluation
neuro assessment and mental status testing
when to obtain imaging for TBI
LOC for longer than 1 minute
persistant mental status alterations
abnormal neuro exams
red flags
- focal deficits
- seizure
- bleeding diathesis
- anticoag use
- worsening symptoms
- LOC
- skull fracture
- GCS <15 2 hours after injury
observation at home
close obs for 24 hours every 2 hours
RTP stage 1
no activity- complete rest
RTP stage 2
light aerobic excercise
RTP stage 3
sport-specific excercise
RTP stage 4
non-contact training drills
RTP stage 5
full contact practice