Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussions

Contact Dr. Grifka

Dr. Grifka is a Board Certified Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck Surgeon, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in Southern California. As a specialist in this field Dr. Grifka is uniquely positioned to assist in the diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and concussions.

Dr. Grifka can help you provide “black and white” objective testing data to determine whether or not a mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is present. You no longer have to rely on subjective reports of symptoms.

What is a concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a fall, trauma, or a jolt to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Sometimes there may be cuts or bruises on the head or face indicating a TBI, sometimes there are no visible signs.

A jolt to the head or body, e.g. whiplash injury, can create chemical changes in the brain and/or damage brain cells. Some reports have indicated that a mild traumatic brain injury may occur in up to 70-80% percent of whiplash injuries. These symptoms may not be present or noticed at the time of injury.  They may be delayed days or weeks before they appear.

Mild traumatic brain injury symptoms commonly include:

• Headaches

• Dizziness / Loss of Balance / Lightheaded

• Tinnitus

• Cognitive issues

What is a “Mild” TBI?
Doctors may refer to a Traumatic Brain injury as “mild” traumatic brain injury when it is not life-threatening. Nevertheless, the effects of a mild traumatic brain injury can certainly be life-altering. These injuries are commonly overlooked. The person looks normal in spite of not feeling or thinking normally.

While MRI and CT scans commonly appear normal in a mild TBI, Dr. Grifka and his team can perform objective balance testing to provide the solid evidence to support the diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury (concussion).