What is a skull fracture?
A skull fracture is a serious head injury caused by direct trauma to the skull. While rare in basketball, it can result from accidental collisions or falls. Symptoms may include bleeding, swelling, or loss of consciousness, requiring immediate medical attention.
Common causes
The causes can be varied, from a traffic accident to a fall. Contact sports are also a common cause of fractures of the skull, especially in sports such as football, rugby or boxing.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made by an x-ray, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In more severe cases, may require a cerebral angiography to assess the existence of bleeding with risk to life.
Treatment and rehabilitation
The treatment depends on the severity of the injury. In mild cases, the patient will need to stay in to rest and take painkillers to relieve the pain. In more severe cases, it will require a surgical intervention to reduce intracranial pressure and to treat other complications.
Rehabilitation is a long process and complex. Physical therapy plays a critical role in the recovery of mobility and muscle strength, as well as improving coordination and balance.
Back to the action
In regard to the return to physical activity, this will depend on the type of fracture, the severity of the injury and the patient’s evolution. In many cases, it will require a neuropsychological assessment to determine if the patient is able to return to their sporting activity.
Note: this article is only intended to be informational use. In any case self-diagnose. If you suffer from any medical condition, we recommend that you go to your physical therapy clinic of confidence.
Cedric Arregui Guivarch
National Coach of Basketball (CES 2014)
Webgrafía and Bibliography
- ‘Fractures of the skull’, MedlinePlus. Available in: https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000030.htm
- ‘Rehabilitation after a fracture of the skull’, Fisioterapia-online.com. Available in: https://www.fisioterapia-online.com/articulos/rehabilitacion-tras-una-fractura-de-craneo
