Head Injury Treatment in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is head injury management?
Head injury management is the specialist care a person receives once a head injury has been shown to be more than a simple bump. The first check after the injury happens in the emergency department and is described on the head injury assessment page. This page picks up from there: what the neurosurgeon does when a scan shows bleeding, bruising of the brain or a broken skull, and how recovery is guided over the following weeks and months.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, the neurosurgery team leads this care, alongside the emergency doctors who first see the patient and the intensive care team who look after the sickest patients.
Who needs it
Neurosurgical input is usually requested for people whose scan shows one of these:
- A collection of blood between the skull and the brain, called an extradural or subdural haematoma
- Bleeding or bruising within the brain tissue itself
- A skull fracture, particularly one pressed inwards or one at the base of the skull
- Swelling of the brain
It also suits people whose symptoms linger after a concussion and who want a specialist review.
The decision between watching and operating rests on the size and position of any bleed, how alert the person is, and whether things are changing from one examination to the next. Many small bleeds and simple fractures heal well with close observation and repeat scanning, and the neurosurgeon explains to the family why that path fits. Surgery is chosen when a clot or fracture is pressing on the brain, or when the person's condition is worsening.
One detail worth knowing: a slow bleed called a chronic subdural haematoma can appear weeks after what seemed a minor knock, especially in older adults and people taking blood-thinning medicines. It tends to show as gradual confusion, headache, unsteadiness or weakness on one side, and it is often very treatable once found.
What happens
Care begins with close neurological observation: regular checks of alertness, speech, pupils and limb strength, recorded so the team can spot change early. People with a serious injury are looked after in neurological critical care, where the ICU team keeps breathing, blood pressure and other vital functions steady while the brain recovers.
When surgery is needed, the approach depends on the problem:
- Burr hole drainage. A small opening in the skull lets a chronic subdural haematoma drain away.
- Craniotomy. A section of skull is lifted so a larger clot can be removed, then fixed back in place.
- Fracture repair. A depressed piece of bone is lifted back into position and any wound is cleaned and closed.
Occasionally a piece of skull bone is kept out for a period to give a swollen brain room, and replaced in a later operation. Where a person needs a service outside the hospital, the team arranges transfer or referral.
Preparing for it
Head injury surgery is often urgent, so preparation is mostly about information. Families help most by telling the team how the injury happened, the person's usual health and every medicine they take, especially blood thinners. Bring any scans done at another hospital, on disc or file.
For a planned operation, such as draining a chronic subdural haematoma, the surgeon explains the aims, the anaesthetic and the likely stay, and asks you to sign consent once your questions are answered. Relatives are welcome to ask the team for a daily update.
Afterwards
Recovery continues well beyond the hospital stay. Tiredness, headache, poor concentration, low mood, irritability and sensitivity to light and noise are common after concussion and after more serious injury, and they usually ease gradually. A graded return to screens, study, work and exercise helps more than complete rest. Physiotherapy and neurorehabilitation are arranged for people who need help with walking, balance, thinking or daily tasks.
Return to driving and work is decided by the surgeon for each person, since it depends on the injury, any surgery and any seizures. In the UAE, where many jobs involve long hours driving, operating machinery or working at height, raise your role early so the plan fits it. Ask before flying, because air can stay inside the skull for a while after a fracture or surgery. Keep well hydrated in the summer heat, and discuss Ramadan fasting with the team before the month begins.
Go to the emergency department straight away after any head injury if there is a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, a seizure, weakness in an arm or leg, or clear fluid from the nose or ears. Call the hospital on 06 599 7777 for a wound that becomes red or leaks, a fever, or symptoms that return after easing.
Cost and insurance
Emergency treatment for a head injury is generally covered by UAE insurance plans, with the hospital notifying the insurer. Follow-up scans, planned surgery and rehabilitation sessions usually need pre-approval, so keep all reports together. Road accident cases may also involve police and insurer paperwork. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Does every bleed on the brain need surgery?
Many small bleeds heal without an operation, managed with close observation, repeat scans and careful control of blood pressure and medicines. Surgery is chosen when a clot is large, is pressing on the brain, or when the person's condition worsens, and the neurosurgeon explains the reasoning for each case.
What are the risks of head injury surgery?
Head injury surgery carries the risks of any brain operation, including bleeding, infection, seizures, a clot that returns and the effects of anaesthesia. Some people have lasting problems with memory, mood, speech or movement, which reflect the injury itself as much as the operation. The surgeon explains how these risks apply to the individual before consent is given.
Can a head injury cause problems weeks later?
A head injury can occasionally cause a slow bleed, called a chronic subdural haematoma, that appears weeks after the knock, especially in older adults and people on blood thinners. Warning signs include increasing confusion, headache, unsteadiness or weakness on one side. Seek medical assessment promptly if these appear.
How long do concussion symptoms last?
Concussion symptoms such as headache, tiredness and poor concentration usually settle over days to weeks, although a minority of people have symptoms for longer. A graded return to activity helps recovery, and a neurosurgical review is worthwhile if symptoms persist or get worse.
When can I drive again after a head injury?
The surgeon decides when you can drive again after a head injury, based on the severity of the injury, whether you had surgery and whether you had any seizures. Ask for clear advice before driving, and check whether your licence or insurer needs to be told.
Is it safe to fly after a head injury or brain surgery?
Flying after a skull fracture or brain surgery needs your surgeon's agreement first, because air trapped inside the skull can expand at altitude. Most people can fly once the surgeon is satisfied, so ask before booking any long-haul journey.
What does clear fluid from the nose mean after a head injury?
Clear fluid dripping from the nose or ear after a head injury can be the fluid that surrounds the brain, leaking through a fracture at the base of the skull. It needs urgent assessment in the emergency department, and until then avoid blowing the nose.
Can I get a second opinion on head injury care?
A second opinion is available for residents who were treated for a head injury elsewhere, including abroad, and who want a review of their recovery or of surgery that has been recommended. Bring all scan images and discharge reports to the appointment.
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