Contrecoup injuries occur when one side of an organ or body is impacted so hard that the opposite side is also injured. Kickback injuries can occur in the brain, causing contusions and other injuries. Recovery depends on the severity of the impact and extent of injuries sustained.
A contrecoup is a type of injury. It occurs when one part of an organ or body part is impacted or hit so hard that the other side of the organ or body is injured. In that case, the area directly opposite the side receiving the blow also suffers an injury.
Kickback injuries are often discussed in terms of the brain. Kickback brain injuries can occur when a person receives a blow to the head and the brain bounces off the surface that received the blow, striking the other side of the skull. If so, the force of the blow is strong enough to injure the side that was not hit. Injuries can also occur if the skin over the injured areas remains intact.
Coup injuries can also injure the brain. A coup occurs, for example, when a person’s head suddenly stops on impact, but the brain does not stop along with the head. Instead, it moves forward and strikes the skull. A person can experience a contrecoup injury alone or in conjunction with a contrecoup injury.
A contrecoup injury can occur as a result of a car accident, fall, or violent attack. This type of injury can also occur following an impact during sports. Shaken baby syndrome also causes kickback injuries. This syndrome occurs after a type of child abuse in which the abuser violently shakes a small child. As a result, the brain moves forward to strike the front of the skull and backward to strike the opposite side.
Kickback brain injuries typically cause brain contusions, which are essentially bruises on the brain. This bruise can cause a person to lose consciousness and experience nausea and vomiting. Some people with brain contusions may experience mental confusion and trouble walking or talking normally. Changes in speech and vision can also occur along with brain contusions. Brain damage, brain hemorrhages, and other injuries can also occur.
Recovery following a contrecoup injury depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the impact and the extent of injuries sustained as a result. Some people make a full recovery while others may suffer from paralysis or even die. Often, people with this type of traumatic brain injury are unconscious for a period of time. The length of time they remain unconscious, combined with the progress of recovery during the first month following an injury, can help doctors predict how well a person may ultimately recover.
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