Building a new life after head injury
March 18, 2021
World Head Injury Awareness Day commemorated on 20 March
Head injuries can happen to anyone, changing lives unbelievably quickly and profoundly. Head injuries vary widely in their severity and in their effects on individual and family functioning. A broad spectrum of support is often needed to help the person and their family adjust to a new way of life and optimise recovery as far as possible.
“The brain is a wonderous and delicate organ that controls and coordinates our functioning, and an injury to the brain can impact not only the person’s physical functioning but their understanding, actions, emotions and ability to express themselves,” says Professor Andre Mochan, a neurologist who practises at Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital, ahead of World Head Injury Awareness Day on Saturday, 20 March.
Car accidents, interpersonal violence, falls and workplace injuries are among the most common causes of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in South Africa. TBI may be as simple as a concussion with brief loss of consciousness or as extensive as a massive blow to the head leading to coma and potentially lifelong neurological consequences and disability.
“Depending on the degree and extent of injury, and which part of the brain is affected, the physical, cognitive, emotional and psychosocial effects of a head injury can vary considerably and are not always apparent immediately,” adds Peta-Lyn Foot, an occupational therapist at Akeso Randburg – Crescent Clinic.
Significant brain injuries unfortunately almost always impact daily life. Brain injury survivors may be left with mobility difficulties like weakness or inability to move parts of the body, there may be cognitive impairment, speech and concentration problems, as well as a range of behavioural and emotional disturbances, often in combination.
Immediate care after a head trauma is usually handled in an emergency department and is typically managed by a neurosurgeon.
According to Dr Anchen Laubscher, group medical director of Netcare, there are a number of factors that are associated with better outcomes. “There is a correlation between quicker emergency medical services response to patients with critical brain injuries and better outcomes, as this results in immediate and appropriate emergency pre-hospital care and rapid transport to the closest most appropriate facility equipped to manage severe head trauma.
“In trauma care, time is always of the essence and therefore response times are an important key performance indicator for ambulance services. Netcare 911’s median time from answering all calls to arriving at the patient was 16.4 minutes in the past year,” she says.
Rehabilitation and longer-term support is most effective when it involves input from a multi-disciplinary team, which includes a rehabilitation doctor, neurologist, psychologist, physiotherapist, speech and occupational therapists, social worker, and experienced nursing staff.
“The brain attempts to heal itself, and with the help of rehabilitation there usually is improvement over time. At Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital, we do our best to help each patient to extend their own potential and quality of life as far as possible while they are under our care and beyond. However, it is a lifelong pursuit for the individual to continue their progress towards rebuilding their life,” Prof Mochan says.
“A patient’s successful return to their home after rehabilitation is an internationally recognised measure of the success of a physical rehabilitation programme. In the last year, 91.1% of patients admitted to Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital with a head injury were discharged to their home,” Dr Laubscher adds.
Foot adds that head injuries can sometimes cause people to become more irritable or aggressive, and their impulse control may be diminished. “At Akeso mental health facilities, our focus when helping people with neurological injuries is to improve their mood and interpersonal functioning. We also assist them to learn skills that help them cope to their fullest potential in their particular circumstances,” Foot says.
“We work with the individual to create structure and routine and, in many cases, we help the person to develop their social skills and compensatory techniques for managing the cognitive challenges of living with a brain injury.
“People who have sustained severe head injuries usually will not be able to work or live independently and require assistance with the tasks in their daily lives. People with mild head injuries, however, can often develop the skills they need to function independently, albeit at a basic level. Most important is to put in place daily action plans. Repetitive tasks help to create familiarity and build confidence,” she says.
Support is vitally important not only for the individual but also for their family, as the situation can be emotionally very taxing for all concerned. Apart from the mental healthcare services offered by Akeso, non-profit organisations like Headway in Gauteng offer support to survivors and their families.
“A head injury may change the person’s personality considerably, which can be very difficult for their loved ones to come to terms with. The radical change in relationship dynamics when a person suddenly becomes dependent for their daily needs is often extremely stressful. At Akeso, we therefore also involve families to ensure the brain injury survivor’s social support structure is informed and better equipped to navigate the adjustment,” Foot says.
Prof Mochan and Foot recommend the following precautions to help prevent head injuries:
- Always wear a seatbelt when travelling in a vehicle
- Buckle up children, use baby seats
- Drive carefully
- Never drink and drive
- Have your eyes tested regularly
- Consult a doctor if you do not feel well, especially if you feel dizzy or unsteady
- Avoid substance abuse
- Wear a helmet when cycling
- Remove possible trip hazards in your home and environment
Foot appealed to the public to be constantly alert to the dangers of head injury.
“In the blink of an eye, anyone can sustain a head injury. The risk is not confined to people who are ‘reckless’ or have dangerous lifestyles, anyone can be hit by a car, be involved in an accident or injured with life-changing consequences.”
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With Rare Disease Day on the 28th of February 2025, the Rare Diseases Access Initiative (RDAI) is driving an evolution of the country’s healthcare, through innovative strategies to better care for over 4.2million people living with an estimated 7000 rare diseases. “As our healthcare system faces significant changes in the years ahead, it is vital that we also advocate for people living with rare diseases in South Africa, especially those with limited healthcare access,” said Kelly du Plessis, CEO of Rare Diseases South Africa (RDSA), a member of RDAI. “As part of our ongoing research and awareness efforts, RDAI has conducted an initial analysis of the incidence and prevalence of rare diseases within the country.” This research will assist in improving access to healthcare, policy development, and patient advocacy, while giving critical insight into the challenges faced by patients. “According to research, some rare diseases affect fewer than 1 in a million people, while others, such as Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and haemophilia, have a more recognisable prevalence,” says Dr. Helen Malherbe, RDAI lead researcher on rare disease prevalence data. “Many conditions are undetected, underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, with too many having no information available about them at all.” The RDAI was formed in 2019 to promote a more favourable environment for those impacted by rare diseases in South Africa. 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About RDAI The Rare Diseases Access Initiative (RDAI) is dedicated to advocating for improved healthcare access, policy development, and patient support for those affected by rare diseases in South Africa. The initiative brings together key healthcare stakeholders, including pharmaceutical associations, funders, genetic specialists, and patient advocacy groups, to drive impactful change. About RDSA Founded in 2013, Rare Diseases South Africa (RDSA) is a non-profit organisation advocating to ensure that people living with rare diseases and congenital disorders experience greater recognition, support, improved health service and better overall quality of life. Started out of personal need following the diagnosis of organisation founder, Kelly du Plessis' son, it became evident that there was a lack of awareness and support for rare diseases in general in South Africa. About IPASA The Innovative Pharmaceutical Association South Africa (IPASA) is a voluntary trade association representing 24 leading pharmaceutical companies committed to research, development, and innovation. Our mission is to drive healthcare advancement by advocating for policies that improve patient access to safe, high-quality, and affordable medicines.
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