From a neurologist’s perspective, Dr. Sachdev says that neurologically intact generally “means that there is no problem of brain function that can be found on a physical exam,” adding that “this is encouraging.”
The term also usually indicates that a person is “able to have a conversation and follow commands,” Erin Feinstein, DO, an assistant professor of neurology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in New Jersey, tells SELF. When someone is neurologically intact, “they have full strength in all extremities and normal sensation in all extremities and the face. They can walk independently and perform all activities of daily living independently,” Dr. Feinstein says.
Being “neurologically intact” doesn’t mean that a person is fully back to their previous functioning, though.
Of course, we don’t know the full scope of Hamlin’s condition and it’s important to remember that he’s still in intensive care—meaning it might take him some time to reach full recovery.
It can be difficult to tell early on if someone’s brain is functioning at the level it was before their injury or health issue, Dr. Adkins says. “There are exceptions where a person may appear to have completely normal brain function based on an examination, but other data such as neuroimaging, labs, recordings of brain activity, or spinal fluid findings reveal underlying abnormalities,” Tia Chakraborty, MD, a neurologist specializing in critical care at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Michigan, tells SELF.
Someone who is neurologically intact is usually considered “back to their baseline,” according to Shephal Doshi, MD, cardiac electrophysiologist and director of cardiac electrophysiology and pacing at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, but they may not be ready for more complex thinking or tasks. “If you ask someone like Hamlin what a particular defensive strategy is, their brain may not be ready for that yet,” Dr. Doshi tells SELF. “There may be parts of the brain that are stunned.” Being neurologically intact is “a start,” but “we want him to have full neurological recovery,” Dr. Doshi explains.
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What might happen now?
It really depends, Dr. Adkins says. “Recovery is individual and, in some ways, it’s minute to minute, hour to hour, then day by day to be able to have a trend,” he says. “I’ve seen people go from having cardiac arrest to being able to walk out of the hospital four or five days later; I’ve seen others who have needed prolonged periods of rehab to get back their strength, coordination, and balance.” Ultimately, Dr. Adkins says, “it’s different for everyone.”
There will likely be more testing now that Hamlin is no longer intubated, Dr. Feinstein says. “A full neurologic assessment is required to determine if he has any deficits,” she says.
We’ll leave you with this nice update from the Buffalo Bills Twitter account: “Damar Hamlin FaceTimed into our team meeting today to talk to players and coaches,” a recent tweet said. “What he said to the team: ‘Love you boys.’”
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Source: SELF
