Medical Guide to mTBI/Concussion Diagnosis Management

Physical Rest: Did you know clients should avoid physical exertion immediately after an mTBI, but only for a short time. For working people this may mean temporary work restrictions, which could include a need for light duty or time off work, depending on the nature of the injury. Did you know to much rest can also delay recovery?

Cognitive Rest: Encouraging clients to limit activities that require intense cognitive effort (e.g., reading, screen time, or complex tasks) helps minimize the risk of symptom exacerbation. For your clients, this may necessitate adjustments in job responsibilities or temporary leave from work as well.

Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen are commonly used for managing headaches, a frequent symptom of mTBI. There areother classifications of medications that may help with majority of people struggling with intense headaches. Our provider is able to qualify your clients of any advanced medications having the potential for extended pain management needs, which often influence claims for lost wages or future medical expenses.

Hydration and Nutrition: A holistic approach will be taken with your clients’ needs kept in proper focus. Proper nutrition and hydration support the body’s healing process, and this might be important in cases where the injury is affecting the worker’s ability to maintain energy levels, productivity, or overall well-being.

Step-by-Step Reintroduction: Following a period of rest, clients should gradually return to normal activity. Return to play/work (RTP) guidelines are a critical part in the management of mTBI and can mean a phased return to work, with clear guidelines on what tasks the client may, or may not safely perform. This reintroduction will be outlined by our specialist in each individual case.

Exercise Programs: Dizziness, balance issues, and/or physical impairments often persist, requiring a custom graded exercise program to be introduced to help improve stability. Understanding these therapies is essential when advocating for the client’s rehabilitation and reemployment.

Neurocognitive Therapy: Cognitive difficulties like memory problems or concentration issues often require therapy to help clients regain maximal function. Attorneys in both PI and WC cases should be mindful of the potential need for long-term cognitive rehabilitation, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Memory and Focus Exercises: Cognitive therapy exercises often help improve memory and focus. For your clients, if these cognitive difficulties impact the ability to perform job-related tasks, this will be a key consideration when determining the extent of permanent disability or job retraining needs

Counseling or Therapy: Depression, anxiety, and mood swings follow head injuries. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of counseling may be necessary for emotional recovery. These emotional and psychological impacts can be linked to the client’s inability to return to work, requiring careful documentation of mental health treatments.

Stress Management: Techniques such as mindfulness and relaxation exercises can help clients cope with frustration and anxiety that arise during recovery. Understanding how these mental health issues relate to the recovery timeline can improve the negotiation for temporary disability benefits or long-term psychiatric care.

Anti-Depressants or Anti-Anxiety Medications: These could be prescribed if the client experiences persistent emotional distress after an mTBI. Medication’s prescribed do play a role in documenting the extent of the injury’s impact on daily function and the client’s ability to return to work.

Sleep Aids: Disrupted sleep is common after head injuries. Sleep aids are often prescribed to help clients restore regular sleep patterns. Disruption in sleep could affect the client’s performance at work, which may be relevant to claims for lost productivity or disability.

Vestibular Rehabilitation: For clients experiencing balance issues or dizziness, vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a common treatment. This is especially important in cases where clients might be involved in jobs that require physical movement, operation of machinery, and/or attention to detail. Workers with vestibular symptoms frequently need temporary accommodation and/or prolonged medical treatment.

Visual Therapy: Clients frequently experience blurred vision or light sensitivity after an mTBI. For your clients’ visual disturbances can impair their ability to perform daily tasks, particularly if their work requires a lot of reading, driving, computer work, or attention to detail.

Auditory Therapy: Heightened sensitivity to noise or hearing issues also occur. Such auditory symptoms could affect a client’s ability to return to their previous job and/or adjust to a new role.

Extended Symptoms: If symptoms persist beyond a few weeks or months, clients may be diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome (PCS). This diagnosis is essential because it helps to establish the severity and long-term implications of the injury. mTBI is a chronic condition often due to injuries.