Recovery times and predictors
Recovery times: Days, months or lifetime impact
The nature and degree of injury to the brain can vary significantly from one person to another. While most make a full recovery some do not.
Some people's symptoms subside within 48 hours. Other have symptoms persisting greater than a couple of weeks; and these require careful assessment and reassessment.
Some people's symptoms last months - post concussion syndrome.
The majority of people with post concussion syndrome recover completely in 3 to 6 months.
Some people do not fully recover and have life-time impairments.
Longer recovery predictors
The following suggest longer recovery periods.
- high severity of acute and subacute concussive symptoms
- a high number of concussive symptoms
- prolonged loss of consciousness (greater than one minute)
- post-concussive seizure
- previous history of concussion
- age of the athlete (a more conservative approach is indicated in children and adolescents)17
- female gender
- history of depression, anxiety, or migraine
Post concussive syndrome
Where peoples mild TBI symptoms continue for weeks and months the most common symptom picture after a brain injury is known as the post concussion syndrome.
Eight out of 10 people with a mild TBI show some signs of the syndrome during the first 3 months after the accident.
These symptoms are part of the normal recovery process and are not signs of brain damage or medical complications. Like the itch of healing stitches, these symptoms are expected as you get better. They are not a cause for concern or worry.
Post concussion syndrome is more common after mild TBI. If you have these symptoms, this is a sign that your injuries were probably mild. The majority of people with post concussion syndrome recover completely in 3 to 6 months.
Most people don’t develop symptoms until days or even weeks after the accident, but the syndrome can begin sooner. Either way, symptoms often disappear without any special treatment.
