Many of these patients require multiple tests including CT scans of the head, spine, chest, abdomen and pelvis. They may also require placement of a pressure monitor in the brain. Some may require immediate surgery for evacuation of blood clots from the brain. Recovery differs according to the severity of injury. In mild head injury recovery is usually complete.
Patients can return to a previous level of functioning within a week or so.
For school and college age children it is advisable not to indulge in contact sports for some time. Moderate head injury can vary in severity. Most patients will require a short period of rehabilitation prior to returning to their baseline state. Often there will be some deficits of functioning depending upon the type of injury. These can range from memory problems, emotional liability, headaches, dizziness, weakness on one side of the body, problems with vision and hearing and seizures.