Neurology
Motor vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries. The acceleration forces on the head during a motor vehicle collision can cause shearing between the outer and inner portions of the brain. In addition, the movement within the skull results in high intracranial pressure gradients resulting in injury. Therefore, patients involved in car crashes can suffer from mild traumatic brain injury (concussion), even if the head was not directly struck by some portion of the vehicle. The mechanism of the whiplash injury at low speeds has been shown sufficient to cause significant concussive damage. Post traumatic headaches, memory loss, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and blurred vision are only a few of the many symptoms that can signal a concussion with or without loss of consciousness. Mild traumatic brain injury symptoms can have lasting symptoms for months to years. Aside from our clinical exams, our doctors utilize an outcome assessment tool called the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ), which is designed to measure the severity of symptoms (including cognitive, somatic, and emotions symptoms) following a concussion. When appropriate, our doctors refer their patients to our trusted group of neurologists for diagnosis and treatment.
