High-energy head injuries

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High-energy head injuries

High-energy injuries to the head occur when the head hits against another object with great force or pressure. This type of injury puts a person at increased risk for a brain injury, even when there is no visible external bleeding or other obvious sign of injury.

High-energy injuries to the head can occur in a variety of ways, including:

Falls in which the head strikes an object with significant force. A fall from a height of may be enough to cause an injury.
Motor vehicle accidents in which the head strikes and cracks or breaks the windshield or dents the inside of the vehicle.
Sports injuries, such as striking the head after falling from a fast-moving bicycle.
Direct blows to the head with a hard object, such as a fist or a baseball bat swung with significant force.

Injuries to the neck or face are more likely to occur with a high-energy head injury.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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