How predictions are made
Physicians look at several indicators to predict the level of a patient’s recovery during the first few weeks and months after injury:
- Duration of coma
- Severity of coma in the first few hours after the injury (as measured by the Glasgow Coma Score)
- Duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA)
- Location and size of contusions and haemorrhages in the brain
Severity of injuries to other body systems sustained at the time of the TBIPrecise predictions are difficult with TBI, but some generalizations can be made:
- The more severe the injury, the longer the recovery period, and the more impairment a survivor will have once recovery has plateaued.
- Recovery from diffuse axonal injury takes longer than recovery from focal contusions.
- Recovery from TBI with hypoxic (lack of oxygen) injury (e.g. near drowning, strangulation or carbon monoxide poisoning) is less complete than without significant hypoxic injury.
- The need for surgery does not necessarily indicate a worse outcome. For example, a patient requiring the removal of a blood clot may recover as completely as one who never needs surgery. The Glasgow Coma Scale is used to determine the depth of coma.
The length of time a patient spends in a coma correlates to both post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) and recovery times:
- Coma lasting seconds to minutes results in PTA that lasts hours to days; recovery plateau occurs over days to weeks.
- Coma that lasts hours to days results in PTA lasting days to weeks; recovery plateau occurs over months.
- Coma lasting weeks results in PTA that lasts months; recovery plateau occurs over months to years. Post Traumatic Amnesia (PTA) is the gradual process of regaining consciousness after coma.
Individuals in PTA are partially or fully awake, but are confused about the day and time, where they are, what is happening, possibly who they are and they will have problems with memory.
Length of PTA is frequently used as a guide to the severity of brain injury. A commonly used interpretation of the scale involves the following:
General Guide
| Severity Category | Mild | Moderate | Severe | Very severe |
| Initial GCS | 12-15 | 9-11 | 3-8 | <1 |
| Duration of PTA | < 24 hours | 1-7 days | 1-4 weeks | > 4 weeks |
A general finding is that if the PTA stage lasts for more than one week, ongoing cognitive problems can be expected.
It is important for the person and the family to be optimistic but realistic about recovery and to develop a better understanding of what is or isn’t possible. Some families with a loved one in hospital have likened this to hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.