can some one tell me what causes a contracoup injury pls

[stacc]

[Puffle]

In head injury, a coup injury occurs under the site of impact with an object, and a contrecoup injury occurs on the side opposite the area that was impacted.[1] Coup and contrecoup injuries are associated with cerebral contusions,[2] a type of traumatic brain injury in which the brain is bruised. Coup and contrecoup injuries can occur individually or together. When a moving object impacts the stationary head, coup injuries are typical,[3] while contrecoup injuries are produced when the moving head strikes a stationary object.[1]

[Bards]

Contracoup can also be 'on the rebound' from a deceleration injury. A common example would be in a road accident or similar traumatic event where a sudden impact/deceleration causes the brain to impact most commonly against the front wall of the skull. It may then bounce back, causing a contracoup injury when the brain's secondary impact is with the back of the skull. I am the 'proud owner' of a contracoup as part of such an incident

I hope that's reasonably clear and helpful. Much easier to demonstrate than write about....!

[stacc in reply to Bards]

thank you an i have so many unanswered questions as my dad a little over a year ago suffered a very bad head injury while on a trip with his friends heappantly fell down some stairs but the

injurys my dad substaind from the fall. im no doctor but they seam to sevear to just from a fall . my dad was on about the 7th or 8th step up the stairs wen he fell but he.s fall was broken because his friend was infront of him or so they said, his friend said he felt samk hit him on the back he remaind standing an then my dad fell to the side of him, so for his friend to remain standin my dad didnt fall into him very hard, an during the fall gravity would of been lowering the distance that my dad head was going to hit floor plus at no time would my dads whole body mass been elevated from ground were as some one jumpin or falling from same heigh just one compleat fall the presuer an force of the whole body impacting the floor would be a lot differet , an i,v also been looking at contracoup an coup. an im sure that if a fall to the floor impacting the back of head could cause a fracture an would also cause the brain to crash into skull because the skull hits first an the brain carrys on moving towards floor an then could even bounce in the oppersit way but the injury to brain would be more server behind the first impact.

[cat3]

I'm so sorry about your dad,stacc. It's obviously troubling you a lot that you're unable to discover what actually happened, and that the account of your dad's fall doesn't match the seriousness of his injuries.

I imagine that 'shaken baby syndrome' is a coup/contracoup type of injury and this of course can be fatal, although there are often no other visible injuries.

Was there just one friend with him & no other witnesses ? Because, as you already know, the answers can only come from the friend or others who were present. Do you know if they'd been drinking ? I ask because alcohol is often a factor in such unfortunate accidents but, also, it could account for the friend's poor recall of the incident. Sorry to sound like an amateur detective but I can see that, after a year, you're still struggling with this, and I wish someone could help you to resolve it.

Have you voiced these concerns to your dad's doctors?.......... because only they can judge whether his injuries are consistent with such a fall. It isn't clear whether or not you suspect foul play, but I doubt you could find answers now, after such a period of time.

How do others in your family feel about this? Have you spoken to your mother? And how is your dad now?

Please post a reply, stacc. I find myself worrying about you today. Take care cat x

[stacc in reply to cat3]

i am unable to ask my dad as he died on 8th march 10 months after his TBI, they said he died of IHD [ischemic heart desease] which i think was a result of TBI an i also think it could of been prevented, my dads injurys was very bad they included . a basiliar skull fractur an inside bleeding to back of his head, an there was so much damage to.the frount half of his brain contusions around outside bleeding inside the brain an inacrainal presure so he had a bolt thing in his head to drain the fluid as he brain swelled, they told us he might not survive an if he did he most probaly would be brain damaged but when my dad woke from the 6 week coma he could talk an walk he.s memory was in a very bad was he couldnt remember me or my 5 sisters at first it was like he.d gone back intime 20 years he acted an said things he would never of in the past. after 2days he was transferd from the southampton general to our local hospital where he left by himself to walk home. an they said there was nothing they could do an we should take him to his GP monday morning. we was so scared he was a compleatly different person who thought there was nothing wrong with him cos he had no scares an no recall of accident or the time he spent in hospital. we showed him pics of him in coma but he didnt think it was him, my dad after being transferd was ment to go to a rehabilatation center for min of 7 months. but he told them he was fine an didnt need to we had no advise of help with after care we didnt unserstand what had happened to him let alone how to take care of him. in the 10 months my dad was alive he had suffered a number seziers.

I know this is not the answer to the question you ask an probably makes no sence but it makes me feel better,i feel unable to talk to my mum an sisters as i know they are going through the same thing plus im the oldest of us six girls an feel i need to look after them ..thank you so so so much ....stacey x

[cat3 in reply to stacc]

Oh Stacey, what a heartbraking and stressful time you've all had. Just reading your account was harrowing, so how you and your family have suffered over the past year is unimaginable. I am so sincerely sorry to hear that your dad didn't make it despite his recovery from the coma, and the subsequent walking & talking.

You know that you can talk on here as often as, & for as long as, you wish and I'm really pleased you've found a safe place to release your thoughts and feelings. But you said you can't talk to your mum and sisters.......is that because all the emotions are too overwhelming ? Sometimes letting emotions spill out can be frightening to all concerned but often it can relieve the dreadful tension of pretending to cope, which often just delays the grieving process.

But maybe you're all still licking your wounds and you'll find your own ways to come together. I hope so. It's still really early days considering everything you've been through.

Meantime, this is somewhere you can come for love and support & you can message me anytime. Love cat xxx

[Boo40]

I have a coup/contracoup injury, caused by a near fatal RTA 7 years ago, it happens as a result of the head impacting then the brain inside bouncing forward (coup) then back (contra coup)

So for example my impact on my frontal lobe which is severely damage also damage my occipital lobe at the back of the brain as a result of the frontal impact. if that makes any sense?

[cat3 in reply to Boo40]

And how are things now, Boo ?

[Boo40 in reply to cat3]

Good days and bad days, fatigue is the worst, that and memory.

Plus now having to fight the government regarding 'fit for work' and the loss of 95% of my benefits.

[cat3 in reply to Boo40]

Yes, fatigue seems to be the common denominator throughout all head injuries, strokes etc. And the last thing any of us need is an extra helping of hassle from Cameron & co. V.best of luck with your benefits,Boo.....hope you've got some decent representation. If not, Headway helpline can offer you advice & support. x

[Boo40 in reply to cat3]

Right now I don't have any representation, I can't work it out in my head where to go or ask, I just have too much going on to give it any thought, another problem with my TBI, failure to multi task, even two tasks is difficult.

[cat3 in reply to Boo40]

Sorry Boo.......hadn't checked my emails so only just seen your reply. You'll get help from Headway helpline; just ring 0808 800 2244 & explain your difficulties. They can simplify matters that you find overwhelming......but only if you make the call. Go on Boo, get things moving today.

x