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Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Over the past 30 years, Dr. Jeff J. Mollins has specialized in the treatment, diagnosis, and documentation of injuries sustained by accident victims (car accidents, work accidents, slip and falls, construction accidents). It is not uncommon for individuals hurt in accidents to sustain a mild traumatic brain injury (or mild TBI). This injury is common in accidents where head trauma occurs (i.e. construction accidents) or possibly when a whiplash injury (car accident) is present. Mild TBI is often misdiagnosed and can often lead to other serious physical consequences. It is imperative to determine if a mild TBI has occurred so it can be treated effectively to prevent additional more dire health issues to occur in the future.

A traumatic brain injury can be classified as mild if loss of consciousness and/or confusion and disorientation is shorter than 30 minutes. While MRI and CAT scans are often normal, the individual has cognitive problems such as headache, difficulty thinking, memory problems, attention deficits, mood swings and frustration. These injuries are commonly overlooked. Even though this type of TBI is called “mild”, the effect on the family and the injured person can be devastating. Often missed at the time of initial injury, 15% of people with mild TBI have symptoms that last one year or more. Defined as the result of the forceful motion of the head or impact causing a brief change in mental status (confusion, disorientation, or loss of memory) or loss of consciousness for less than 30 minutes. Post injury symptoms are often referred to as post concussive syndrome. Common symptoms of mild TBI:

  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Visual disturbances
  • Memory loss
  • Poor attention/concentration
  • Dizziness/ loss of balance
  • Irritability – emotional disturbances
  • Feelings of depression
  • Seizures

The above symptoms may not be present or noticed at the time of injury. They may be delayed days or weeks before they appear. The symptoms are often subtle and are often missed by the injured person, family, and doctors. The person looks normal and often moves normal in spite of not feeling or thinking normal. This makes the diagnosis easy to miss. Family and friends often notice changes in behavior before the injured person realizes there is a problem. Frustration at work or when performing household tasks may bring the person to seek medical care.

Dr. Mollins practices very closely with a group of referred medical specialist. If Dr. Mollins suspects a mild TBI, he will refer that patient to his Board Certified Neurologist, extremely experienced in diagnosing this injury. Once a proper diagnosis is attained, the injured patient may then be placed on a regiment of treatment consisting of cognitive testing, medication, and if necessary psychological counseling.

If a mild TBI is the result of a work-related accident, then it is a worker’s compensation injury.

Dr. Mollins, and his group of referred medical specialist are all certified by New York State as

Worker’s Compensation providers. This means that patients injured in the course of their employment and sustain a mild TBI, can be treated at no cost, be paid for their lost wages (if unable to work) and then when (and if) they return to work can still be treated at no cost.

Posted in: Auto Accident Doctor, Back Pain Treatment, Blog, Construction Accidents, Diagnostic Testing, Injury Documentation, Injury Treatment, Neck Pain Treatment, Orthopedics, Physical Examinations, Slip and Fall Accidents, Uncategorized, Work Injuries, Workers Compensation