TBI Severity Ratings: Why "Mild" Is A Misleading Term

In the legal and medical worlds, the term "Mild TBI" is used for any brain injury where the loss of consciousness was less than 30 minutes. But for the victim suffering from memory loss and mood swings, the impact is anything but mild.

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

First responders use the GCS to grade the severity of a brain injury at the scene. It measures eye, verbal, and motor responses.

Severity	GCS Score	Typical Symptoms
Mild TBI	13-15	Brief confusion, "dazed," headache, nausea. MRI often normal.
Moderate TBI	9-12	Loss of consciousness > 30 mins, confusion lasting days. Physical damage likely visible.
Severe TBI	3-8	Coma, vegetative state, requires life support. Permanent disability likely.

The Myth of the "Normal" MRI

For Mild TBI (Concussion), standard CT scans and MRIs often come back "normal." This is because the damage is microscopic—shearing of axons—rather than bleeding. Insurance companies love this. They say, "Look, the scan is negative, you're fine."

We prove them wrong using:

• Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI): Detecting water movement abnormalities in white matter.
• Neuropsychological Testing: Documenting deficits in processing speed and memory.

Long-Term Consequences (Sequelae)

Brain injuries are not static events; they are chronic conditions. Victims often develop:

• Post-Concussion Syndrome: Symptoms persisting for months or years.
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE): Degenerative brain disease (often found in NFL players).
• Increased Dementia Risk: Seniors with TBI are far more likely to develop Alzheimer's.