Physical Consequences of Acquired Brain Injury

Disclaimer: This information sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

Brain injury may result in physical changes to the injured child. These changes can range from a mild disturbance in the child's balance, through to difficulties with walking, standing up or moving their arms. Each child will demonstrate different physical changes depending on the type, location and severity of their injury, and will respond differently as the recovery process continues. Although improvement in physical function nearly always occurs, some children are left with long term physical disabilities. These can impact on the child's abilities to perform everyday activities, such as eating, dressing and walking.

Physical changes following a brain injury can include:

• Muscle weakness/reduced muscle control of the trunk and/or limbs
• Changes in muscle tone ("tight" muscles or spasticity) which can lead to joint stiffness and abnormal patterns of movement, see spasticity
• Impaired balance and coordination see www.wemove.org/kidsmove/
• Changes in sensation (including touch and pressure, temperature, and awareness of where body parts are in space)
• Changes in speech, such as muscle weakness and incoordination causing slurred speech
• Impaired oral musculature control, affecting feeding ability and saliva control, see swallowing

Physical Recovery

Physical recovery is variable and unpredictable, but there are nearly always improvements with time. Physical recovery usually occurs more rapidly than cognitive (thinking) recovery, and is most appropriate in the 6 to12 months following the initial injury. Things that help in physical recovery include active rehabilitation and family support.

Where do I get help?

The Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist and Speech Pathologist will help to optimise your child's physical recovery. However family participation in therapy sessions is important, so that the family can continue exercises with the child at other times and following discharge from hospital.

During therapy sessions, the child will learn physical skills such as standing and walking in the correct way, using their arms appropriately, balance and coordination skills, and controlled speech.

What is the treatment?

Therapists use a variety of techniques to facilitate physical recovery and prevent secondary complications. These may include sessions in the therapy gym, casting and splinting, hydrotherapy, use of equipment such as the tilt table and walking devices, articulation and communication exercises, and handwriting activities. Therapists are also involved in assisting the child to relearn everyday activities (eg. dressing, showering and feeding), returning to school, sport and recreational activities, where different challenges will be placed on the child's physical abilities.

Following a brain injury, children become easily fatigued and will therefore benefit from regular short bursts of therapy, balanced with rest periods.

Some children will require regular therapy for longer periods, while other children may only require ongoing review and monitoring by the therapy team.

Where to get more information?

Your Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist or Speech Pathologist, Your Rehabilitation Consultant (Doctor) or Clinical Nurse Consultant, The Brain Injury Association of NSW

Rehabilitation Department The Children's Hospital at Westmead Cnr Hawkesbury Rd & Hainsworth St, Westmead Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, 2145 Tel: (02) 9845 2132 - Fax: (02) 9845 0685 http://www.chw.edu.au/rehabilitation/