Clinical trajectories of mild traumatic brain injury

The clinical trajectories of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are relevant to providers, individuals with mTBI, families, coaches, employers, and the military chain of command. Although response to initial mTBI is a multifactorial and individual experience, the majority of individuals will make a full recovery within days to weeks. Addressing concerns of return to prior level of functioning and health status are important from day 1, along with addressing potential risk factors for poorer outcome and closely monitoring the course of recovery and making as-needed treatment plan modifications. There are multiple and complex factors involved with expectations for recovery, including the context of the initial injury event, personal constructs surrounding injury, and premorbid psychological disorders. Properly integrating elements of the past medical history, occupational history, injury event history, and current complaints into the setting of individualized goals will produce a pathway for return to wellness and productivity while guiding patients and their families, employers, schools, and other stakeholders through recovery.