Some injuries are minor and treatable, but others are much more severe. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most devastating injuries possible. They cause permanent changes to the brain structure and significant financial challenges.
TBIs generally produce tens of thousands of dollars or more in increased lifetime medical expenses. They can affect employment, interpersonal relationships and even the ability to live independently. TBIs generate a wide range of different symptoms depending on the extent of the injury and other factors. People may experience motor function challenges, changes in cognition, issues with sensory perception and even a shift in their overall typical mood or personality.
Part of what makes a TBI so catastrophic is how the consequences of the injury persist indefinitely. Doctors cannot cure a TBI. However, experimental medical procedures and technology might eventually help address some of the symptoms generated by TBIs.
Implants can help with cognitive challenge
Current best practices for TBIs focus on preventing the injury from worsening and helping people overcome the challenging symptoms they develop. That process often involves occupational or physical therapy to help people adapt to life with their symptoms, rather than treating the actual symptoms.
The brain is a delicate organ that largely operates through electrical impulses. Scar tissue and other damage caused by a TBI can interfere with the brain’s functioning. Currently, there is no way to cure or undo a TBI, but there has been promising progress in recent years.
Medical researchers have been able to help patients with permanent TBI symptoms improve their symptoms through implanted devices. By applying electrical stimulation to the brain on demand when people struggle to recall information, these devices can help overcome the limitations generated by a TBI.
The limited number of patients who have undergone implantation procedures have largely reported positive changes. While these implants do not reverse the damage to the brain or completely eliminate symptoms, they represent a major step forward for the treatment and management of TBIs.
Those recovering after a car crash or other traumatic incident causes a brain injury may need to consider future medical care costs while they pursue compensation. Filing a personal injury lawsuit could help people with traumatic brain injuries obtain the financial support they need to offset lost wages and pay for a lifetime of increased medical expenses.