During the rehabilitation phase of treatment, the goal is to help the patient return to normal everyday life in as many ways as possible, making up for lost abilities using new tools. This is sometimes called “cognitive retraining.” For those who can, getting back to work or school is often a major goal in their rehabilitation plan. For some TBI survivors, this is not a realistic goal.
Patients with moderate to severe TBI often require care from a team of healthcare professionals that specialize in treating traumatic brain injuries. Most regions in the United States have this type of program available. The team of professionals is usually made up of one or more therapists and social workers, a case manager, and vocational specialists. These programs are very effective, especially for patients with complicated medical and social problems.
Some common problems of moderate to severe TBI and their treatments are:
- Abnormal and spastic muscle tone can sometimes be treated with physical therapy, medication, or minor surgery
- Chronic pain can sometimes be treated with medication, physical therapy, and psychological techniques
- Depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems can be treated with medication and psychotherapy
- Seizures and headaches require medication
As the patient recovers, many rehabilitation centers use the Ranchos Los Amigos Scale of Cognitive Functioning to monitor the patient’s progress in a rehabilitation program.
In most cases, patients are discharged from the rehabilitation center once they recover from PTA and can show, along with family and caregivers, that they will be safe at home. Patients are usually discharged with detailed written instructions about when it is safe to return to their regular activities.