Closed-Head and Open-Head Brain Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), motor vehicle accidents are the second-leading cause of hospitalization for traumatic brain injury (TBI), accounting for one of every five hospital visits (falls are first). Though you may suffer TBI from direct impact with the steering wheel, windshield, dashboard, or the ground, you also can incur serious brain injury with no impact to your head at all. Some of the most debilitating injuries stem from whiplash, a condition caused when your brain is jostled inside your skull and bounces off the hard bone, resulting in swelling, inflammation, and other injuries.
The Different Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Head injuries are generally categorized as either open head or closed head:
- Closed-head trauma— Though less visible and therefore less obvious, closed-head injuries can be the most dangerous, as they can be difficult to diagnose and treat. With a closed-head injury, there is no penetration of the skull, and you may have little or no external bleeding. Closed-head injuries include:
- concussions (bruising of the brain) caused by impact or change in momentum;
- contusions, where blood vessels in the brain break, causing internal bleeding and bruising; and
- shearing-type injuries, where nerves in the brain are extended beyond the breaking point, releasing chemicals that cause further injury.
- Open-head injuries— Open-head trauma involves either penetration or fracture of the skull. Open-head injuries pose risks for bleeding and swelling, as well as infection.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who have suffered a concussion or other type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas, and San Antonio.
