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OUR CLINICAL APPROACH

Accurate Diagnosis Is the
Foundation of Effective Treatment

Mild traumatic brain injury is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in medicine. Standard CT and MRI scans — the default imaging tools used in emergency and primary care settings — are not designed to detect the microscopic neurological changes that define the vast majority of TBI presentations. The result is a significant diagnostic gap: patients with genuine, measurable neurological injury are routinely discharged with a "normal imaging" finding and without an accurate clinical picture of their condition.

RecoverTBI was founded to close that gap. Our protocol integrates six complementary diagnostic technologies that evaluate the brain at the neurological, electrophysiological, functional, and molecular levels. This multi-modal approach gives our physicians the most complete, accurate picture possible of each patient's injury — enabling targeted treatment planning and meaningful, measurable recovery outcomes.

Every test we perform produces objective, quantified data. This matters clinically because it allows us to track patient progress with precision, adjust treatment protocols based on measurable change, and document the full extent of a patient's neurological status — information that is essential regardless of the care setting or context.

What accurate diagnosis makes possible

  • Identifying the specific neurological systems affected — vestibular, cognitive, visual, electrophysiological, or molecular

  • Quantifying the degree of impairment in each domain relative to age-matched norms

  • Guiding targeted, evidence-based therapy rather than generic symptom management

  • Tracking measurable recovery progress over the course of treatment

  • Establishing an accurate, well-documented baseline for ongoing care

  • Providing patients and their care team with a clear, comprehensive picture of their neurological health

Accurate Diagnosis

Identifying the true extent of neurological injury across all affected systems

Objective Measurement

Quantified data from validated instruments, not subjective symptom scales alone

Targeted Treatment

Evidence-based care plans guided by specific diagnostic findings

Measurable Recovery

Trackable progress benchmarked against baseline evaluation findings

OUR CLINICAL PROTOCOL

A Stepped, Clinically-Driven Evaluation

Each phase is triggered by the clinical findings of the phase before it. Testing is ordered because the evidence supports it — not by default. This ensures every diagnostic step is clinically indicated and medically necessary.

Phase 1 — Initial Screening

VISIT 1 · ARNP

 

Symptom Assessment & Screening Tests

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

  • Patient completes the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire or equivalent validated TBI symptom tool

  • ARNP reviews questionnaire findings and conducts clinical intake

  • If TBI symptoms are identified, three objective screening tests are ordered

  • RightEye oculomotor assessment

  • BalanceTrak / CTSIB balance and postural stability assessment

  • BrainCheck computerized cognitive assessment

Proceeds to Phase 2 if: Any screening test returns positive or abnormal findings.

Phase 2 — Neurological Evaluation

Advanced testing ordered if: Clinical findings support medical necessity for VNG, QEEG, DTI MRI, or blood biomarker testing.

VISIT 2 · NEUROLOGIST

Comprehensive Neurological Examination

Board-Certified Neurologist

  • Full neurological history, physical and neurological examination

  • Review and interpretation of Phase 1 screening results

  • Administration of validated clinical instruments — PHQ-9, PCL-C, MIDAS, Rivermead, AMNART, Apraxia Battery, ImPACT

  • Clinical determination of diagnoses with ICD-10 coding

  • Causal relationship opinion

  • Advanced diagnostic testing ordered as clinically indicated (Phase 3)

  • Individualized treatment plan initiated

Phase 3 — Advanced Diagnostics

VISIT 2 OR 3 · AS CLINICALLY INDICATED

Neurologist-Ordered Advanced Testing

Ordered by Neurologist — Based on Clinical Findings

  • VNG (Videonystagmography) — if vestibular dysfunction is indicated

  • QEEG Brain Mapping — if neurocognitive or electrophysiological abnormalities are indicated

  • Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI MRI) — if white matter tract evaluation is clinically warranted

  • Blood Biomarker Panel (GFAP / UCH-L1 / NfL) — if molecular confirmation of neurological injury is indicated

  • Results interpreted by neurologist and integrated into the final CNE report

Each test ordered individually based on clinical necessity — not as a default package.

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