Complete healing is possible after many injuries. It often just takes time, and medical treatment may be necessary. But someone who suffered a broken leg or a fractured arm in a car accident will likely eventually regain complete functionality in the injured limb.
The same may not be true with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), however. While some healing may occur, there are many cases in which this healing is not complete. A person is left with lingering symptoms that they can’t seem to shake, no matter what medical treatment they receive. These symptoms could last for years—or even for the rest of their life.
Why does this happen?
The important thing to note is that the brain heals differently than other parts of the body. For instance, consider the way a broken bone heals. New bone cells are created, threading between the two fractured pieces and helping them reconnect. This is why a patient may have to wear a cast for an extended period of time—to keep the bone still so it can heal properly by generating new cells and replacing lost tissue.
But the brain often cannot create new neurons and brain cells. There is a limited ability to make new cells in certain areas of the brain, but it’s not always possible. Because of this, if the damage is extensive, the brain may be able to heal slightly by finding new neural pathways and connections—but the injured person may never experience the complete healing they would with a different type of injury.
This is one of the reasons why a TBI can be a life-altering event. Those who have been injured need to know exactly what legal options they have to seek financial compensation.