Common Associated Injuries and Conditions

Maj Hemstad
An external force, such as a blow or jolt to the head, causes TBI. For this reason, it’s not uncommon for other parts of the body to be injured at the same time. Many patients with moderate to severe TBI suffer skull fractures or damage to the eyes and other parts of the face from the same external force that caused the brain injury.

Lt Col Reynolds
This is called polytrauma. Another example is a patient whose TBI results from a motor vehicle accident, fall, or explosion, causing injuries to multiple body parts and organ systems. 

Some patients with mild, moderate, or severe TBI also experience co-occurring conditions, such as post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or suicidal thoughts.