Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Report Challenging Traditional Prognostic Indicators

This case report demonstrates the role of facility-based rehabilitation in the recovery of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and advocates for the pursuit of inpatient rehabilitation for this condition. This case describes a patient who suffered severe TBI, by all four initial prognostic criteria, and has had successful community reintegration because of a long facility-based course of therapy and a supportive community network. Methods include chart review and patient interview. This case report demonstrates that even in cases of severe TBI, where literature demonstrates a strong likelihood for poor outcome, there is the opportunity for substantial recovery.