Compliments of Excelsior Orthopaedics

The National Institutes of Health reports that roughly 1.7 million individuals suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year. TBIs occur from physical trauma to the skull or brain, such as skull fractures or brain hemorrhages. TBIs can also occur without any evidence of structural damage but affect how the brain works, such as with a concussion.

“Since concussions are common sports injuries, they are often the first head injury people think about,” says Jason Matuszak, MD, of Excelsior Orthopaedics. “While most people with a concussion will recover without long-term effects, every head injury is significant.” Despite the public discourse associated with football and concussions, the risk of concussion is present in all sports. Dr. Matuszak says individuals should also be aware of other types of head injuries, as they seek ways to protect their short- and long-term cognitive health.

Skull fractures.

Skull fractures occur when there is a break to one of the bones of the skull. Since these injuries occur due to significant force, they typically result in injury to the brain. A non-displaced or linear skull fracture is the most common skull fracture, and is characterized by a break in the bone that does not move the bone. When a person suffers a depressed skull fracture, a portion of the skull is sunken (or “depressed”) as a result of the trauma. A basilar skull fracture involves a break in the bone at the base of the skull, and a diastatic skull fracture occurs along the suture lines in the skull between the bones that fuse during childhood. Suspected skull fractures should always be evaluated by a medical professional due to the severity of the trauma involved and the likelihood of internal damage to the brain or blood vessels.

Intracranial hematoma (ICH):

There are various types of intracranial hematomas, but each is marked by bleeding in or around the brain. Where the bleeding occurs determines the type of ICH. For example, an epidural hematoma occurs when bleeding occurs underneath the skull on top of the dura, a tough covering inside the skull that surrounds the brain. A subdural hematoma is when bleeding occurs underneath the skull and dura, but outside the brain. An intracerebral hematoma occurs within the brain tissue.

Concussion:

Concussions are often characterized as mild traumatic brain injuries that occur after a person has taken a direct or indirect hit to their head or body. Spinal fluid cushions the brain from banging into the skull, but when a person is hit hard, the brain can impact into the skull, resulting in a concussion. Concussions also occur from the brain rotating back and forth, side to side, or front to back resulting in a stretch injury to brain cells.

Head injuries are more common than many realize. Understanding the differences between head injuries can be useful for everyone. Concussions are the most common, but usually don’t have long-term consequences. Brain bleeds and skull fractures can result in severe trauma to the brain that may lead to long-term cognitive disability. Learn more at https://www.excelsiorortho.com/doctor/jason-m-matuszak-md or call 716-250-9999.