Alternative Names
Brain injury; Head trauma; Contusion
Prevention
- Always use safety equipment during activities that could result in head injury. These include seat belts, bicycle or motorcycle helmets, and hard hats.
- Obey traffic signals when riding a bicycle. Be predictable so that other drivers will be able to determine your course.
- Be visible. DO NOT ride a bicycle at night.
- Use age-appropriate car seats or boosters for babies and young children.
- Make sure that children have a safe area in which to play.
- Supervise children of any age.
- DO NOT drink and drive, and DO NOT allow yourself to be driven by someone who you know or suspect has been drinking alcohol.
References
Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002.
DeLee JC, Drez, Jr., D, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2003.
Goetz CG, Pappert EJ. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2003:1130-1134.