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What Causes Numbness On The Back Of The Head Post Injury?
Question: I have a knot and numbness and a cut on back of my head that is a week old. The cut is healing fine. No stitches. I just have a knot about right on the top back of my head. I was trying to open the truck door and missed the handle and fell hard on the asphalt. I did not go to the hospital and have a CT scan. I feel okay and did not pass out. I do feel like I am a little slower functioning but have not changed any activities and I'm working fine. For example: Yesterday, I put my truck on cruise control at 59mph but I felt like I was driving too fast so I slowed down and that's not usually how I drive...lol... It bothered me enough to ask you about it. I probably did have a concussion but rested the next day and have felt okay other than the normal soreness and headache, but the numbness bugs me and now the slowing down of driving bugs me too! It's not funny but I do feel embarrassed.
Brief Answer:
No cause for alarm.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I do not think the knot on the top of the head is any reason for concern at all, at least not regarding brain injury. The brain is confined inside the thick skull, whether there is any damage to it or not it is not reflected on the outside (unless some major fracture with bone displacement with devastating damage, certainly not your case). So the knot is on the outside of the skull, between the skull and the skin, it consists on soft tissue under the skin, no brain structures at all.
As for the slower functioning .... the episode you describe of slowing down might be simply due to some anxiety after the trauma you had, hard to draw conclusions from that alone. However judging from the description of the hit you took a mild concussion is certainly possible. In such a case some psychomotor slowing is common. It usually improves gradually over the following month, rarely it lasts longer. The only treatment which is advised would be some rest, not only physical but mental as well.
So regarding your question about going to a doctor and getting a CT scan, I do not see that as necessary. The risk for threatening hemorrhages after a head injury is mostly in the first 24-48 hours, afterwards it is extremely unlikely, only rarely in the elderly or people suffering conditions which affect coagulation. So you are already well past the observation period. The headache, soreness and slowing are to be expected after a mild concussion and there doesn't seem to be any indication of a more serious injury.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
No cause for alarm.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I do not think the knot on the top of the head is any reason for concern at all, at least not regarding brain injury. The brain is confined inside the thick skull, whether there is any damage to it or not it is not reflected on the outside (unless some major fracture with bone displacement with devastating damage, certainly not your case). So the knot is on the outside of the skull, between the skull and the skin, it consists on soft tissue under the skin, no brain structures at all.
As for the slower functioning .... the episode you describe of slowing down might be simply due to some anxiety after the trauma you had, hard to draw conclusions from that alone. However judging from the description of the hit you took a mild concussion is certainly possible. In such a case some psychomotor slowing is common. It usually improves gradually over the following month, rarely it lasts longer. The only treatment which is advised would be some rest, not only physical but mental as well.
So regarding your question about going to a doctor and getting a CT scan, I do not see that as necessary. The risk for threatening hemorrhages after a head injury is mostly in the first 24-48 hours, afterwards it is extremely unlikely, only rarely in the elderly or people suffering conditions which affect coagulation. So you are already well past the observation period. The headache, soreness and slowing are to be expected after a mild concussion and there doesn't seem to be any indication of a more serious injury.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much for you detailed answers. I do appreciate it and I am thankful I do not need a CT scan. Thanks again and have a great day. My mind is now at ease.
Brief Answer:
Glad to have been of help.
Detailed Answer:
Hope you'll feel better soon.
Glad to have been of help.
Detailed Answer:
Hope you'll feel better soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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