Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury, an insult to the brain caused by an external force, a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide, produces reduced or altered states of consciousness with or without impaired cognitive abilities or physical functioning. The magnitude, length, and persistence of TBI sequelae depend on the severity of the injury and the interplay of various pre-injury and post-injury factors. The consequences of TBI that may exhibit as physical, cognitive, emotional, and social not only have their impact on the patients’ lives but also on their caregivers or family members and communities in terms of social participation. Though little can be done to reverse the initial traumatic insult due to primary brain injury, prompt and effective medical and/or neurosurgical management may aid to minimize the secondary injury consequences such as hypotension, hypoxia, or both. This chapter covers the etiology, clinical manifestations, investigations, medical and surgical management, and acute through chronic physiotherapy management of head injury.