The impact may cause a traumatic brain injury during a motor vehicle accident. If you suffered a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, you may wonder how long you have to recover. According to Harvard Medical School, moderate to severe TBIs contribute to death and disability, about 166 deaths per day.
Even with severe trauma, you may be able to live a more active life in the future.
When should doctors determine recovery time?
When it comes to severe TBIs, determining the recovery time can be difficult for physicians. Most doctors make a prognosis within the first few weeks, but this does not accurately depict what will happen. For example, in one study, patients who remained unconscious for two weeks had a high chance of recovering consciousness. About 25% of those may accurately report their location, name and date after 12 months. Doctors should not remove life-sustaining options too early for TBI patients.
What does recovery look like for TBI patients?
As a TBI patient, you may see the most gains within the first 12 months. If you suffer a substantial disability or loss of function, you can expect to see the most improvement in the first year. If you suffer a severe impairment, it does not always follow you throughout the rest of your life. TBIs are dynamic and the treatment you follow depends on the severity of the injury. Treatments may include rehabilitative care and physical therapy. In one study about three-quarters of patients with moderate TBIs function independently for at least eight hours a day in their home.
While many patients have substantial disabilities following a TBI, they may significantly improve their everyday function.