When does rehabilitation start after a traumatic brain injury?

Day One: Rehab begins immediately after the injury. Most of the intensive cognative rehab begins after discharge form the icu.

Immediately: The rehabilitation program should start in the acute care hospital. In this phase, the main goals are prevention of complications such as pressure sores, contractures of the muscles and tendons, prevention of pneumonia, clots in the legs or arms and provision of adequate nutrition. Following this mobilization, getting the brain injured person out of bed if possible, cognitive retraining are some.

Medically stable: In order to maximize functional gains, rehabilitation should begin as soon as the patient is medically stable. It should be directed by a rehabilitation physician and should be gradual and symptom guided.

ASAP: Depending on the type of injury, rehabilitation services may begin on the day of injury or as soon as a person is medically stable.