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Traumatic Brain Injury

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What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that affects how the brain functions. It varies widely in severity and type of trauma, but it can be a devastating and complicated condition.

A TBI can be caused by:

Bump or blow to the head
Jolt of the head, causing the head and brain to move forward and back quickly
A penetrating injury when an object goes through the skull and brain, such as a gunshot

Common causes of TBIs include:

Motorized vehicle, pedestrian, or bicycle accident
A fall
Assault
Gunshot wound

A TBI can result in changes or deficits in:

Attention and/or concentration
Memory
Processing and understanding information
Expressive language
Planning and organization
Reasoning, problem-solving, judgment
Behavior and impulsivity

UR Medicine's Treatments for Traumatic Brain Injury

Such a complex injury requires a comprehensive approach. Depending on the level and type of trauma, a patient’s treatment team will include nationally recognized medical experts from Neurocritical Care, Neurosurgery, Trauma, and our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation departments.

We use state-of-the-art monitoring in our new Neuromedicine Intensive Care Unit (NMICU), including equipment to monitor brain oxygenation and temperature at all times. For burn victims with TBI, the Kessler Family Burn/Trauma Intensive Care Unit provides specialized care.

We're also leaders in rehabilitation medicine, to help patients recover from severe brain injuries. Our experts in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation consult early in the process, which is vital to successful long-term recovery.

Our specialists are fellowship-trained—the highest level of training available. They're part of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team offering advanced technology and compassionate care for the full range of traumatic brain injury, including:

Subdural Hematoma
Epidural Hematoma
Brain Contusion/Concussion (mild TBI)
Skull Fractures

What Sets Us Apart?

We are the only full-service trauma center in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. The American College of Surgeons has officially verified us as a Level 1 Trauma Center, the highest designation. It means we’re recognized as able to give complete care for all aspects of traumatic brain injury—from prevention through treatment and rehabilitation. We are also home to the region’s only Neuromedicine Intensive Care Unit.

We're uniquely staffed to match a patient’s injury to a physician who specializes in those exact needs. These subspecialists examine patients in the hospital and admit them to acute inpatient rehabilitation if needed, then continue to care for patients in an outpatient setting to improve their quality of life.

Our Traumatic Brain Injury program provides surgical and non-surgical care for head-injury patients throughout the region. And we’re the only program in the area that provides neurosurgeons with renowned expertise in treating TBI 24 hours a day, seven days a week.