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Traumatic Brain Injury

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What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that affects how the brain functions. It varies widely in severity and type of trauma, but it can be a devastating and complicated condition.

A TBI can be caused by:

  • Bump or blow to the head
  • Jolt of the head, causing the head and brain to move forward and back quickly
  • A penetrating injury when an object goes through the skull and brain, such as a gunshot

Common causes of TBIs include:

  • Motorized vehicle, pedestrian, or bicycle accident
  • A fall
  • Assault
  • Gunshot wound

A TBI can result in changes or deficits in:

  • Attention and/or concentration
  • Memory
  • Processing and understanding information
  • Expressive language
  • Planning and organization
  • Reasoning, problem-solving, judgment
  • Behavior and impulsivity

UR Medicine's Treatments for Traumatic Brain Injury

Such a complex injury requires a comprehensive approach. Depending on the level and type of trauma, a patient’s treatment team will include nationally recognized medical experts from Neurocritical Care, Neurosurgery, Trauma, and our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation departments.

We use state-of-the-art monitoring in our new Neuromedicine Intensive Care Unit (NMICU), including equipment to monitor brain oxygenation and temperature at all times. For burn victims with TBI, the Kessler Family Burn/Trauma Intensive Care Unit provides specialized care. 

We're also leaders in rehabilitation medicine, to help patients recover from severe brain injuries. Our experts in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation consult early in the process, which is vital to successful long-term recovery.

Our specialists are fellowship-trained—the highest level of training available. They're part of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team offering advanced technology and compassionate care for the full range of traumatic brain injury, including:

  • Subdural Hematoma
  • Epidural Hematoma
  • Brain Contusion/Concussion (mild TBI)
  • Skull Fractures

What Sets Us Apart?

We are the only full-service trauma center in the Rochester metropolitan area and surrounding region. The American College of Surgeons has officially verified us as a Level 1 Trauma Center, the highest designation. It means we’re recognized as able to give complete care for all aspects of traumatic brain injury—from prevention through treatment and rehabilitation.  We are also home to the Rochester metropolitan area and surrounding region's only Neuromedicine Intensive Care Unit.

We're uniquely staffed to match a patient’s injury to a physician who specializes in those exact needs. These subspecialists examine patients in the hospital and admit them to acute inpatient rehabilitation if needed, then continue to care for patients in an outpatient setting to improve their quality of life.

Our Traumatic Brain Injury program provides surgical and non-surgical care for head-injury patients, with neurosurgeons with renowned expertise in treating TBI available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Providers

Our care team is here for you. Find a UR Medicine expert and get care now.

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Locations

We serve you in the Rochester metropolitan area and surrounding region.

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12 locations

Neurosurgery - Brighton

2180 South Clinton Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618

Neurosurgery - Rochester

Parnall Office Building at Rochester General Hospital
1445 Portland Avenue, Suite 305
Rochester, NY 14621

Neurosurgery - Big Flats

84 Canal Street, Suite 8
Big Flats, NY 14814

Neurosurgery - Canandaigua
Part of FF Thompson Hospital

Thompson Professional Building
395 West Street, Suite 007
Canandaigua, NY 14424

Neurosurgery - Dansville
Part of Noyes Memorial Hospital

Noyes Memorial Hospital
111 Clara Barton Street, Suite 178A
Dansville, NY 14437

Neurosurgery - Hornell
Part of St. James Hospital

St. James Medical Office Building
7309 Seneca Road North, Suite 102
Hornell, NY 14843

Neurosurgery - Ithaca

905 Hanshaw Road, Suite A
Ithaca, NY 14850

Neuromedicine ICU - 8-1200 - Rochester
Part of Strong Memorial Hospital

Strong Memorial Hospital
601 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14642

Neurosurgery - Greece

60 Greece Center Drive
Rochester, NY 14612

Neurosurgery - Watertown

1340 Washington St, Suite 3
Watertown, NY 13061

Patient Education & Support

Brain Injury Support Group

UR Medicine Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is partnering with a local community-based organization, Empowering People’s Independence, to host a brain injury support group for both survivors and their loved ones. This support group was created with the intention of strengthening the community of support for all those touched by this condition to promote overall encouragement, comfort, and hope through what can be a very isolating experience. We are here to offer support - our community is not in this alone.

This group meets the 4th Wednesday of every month from 5 – 6 p.m., join us via Zoom.

Contact for more information:
BrainSupport@urmc.rochester.edu or call (585) 276-4347)

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