STAGES OF HEALING IN SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
Oakville’s Physiotherapy Clinic — Glen Abbey Physiotherapy
EARLY INTERVENTION AND ONGOING TREATMENT
One of the big misconceptions at our Oakville physiotherapy clinic is that soft tissue injuries will heal spontaneously in a period of time between four to eight weeks, leaving no long term residual damage and that treatment is not required. This information can be extremely misleading, confusing and lead to permanent and chronic soft tissue pain and dysfunction. It is important to understand the stages of healing that takes place during soft tissue injuries to comprehend why these injuries require early intervention and ongoing treatment to get the best possible outcome.
There are THREE STAGES OF HEALING that take place when soft tissue is injured
1.ACUTE INFLAMMATORY STAGE
2.SUB ACUTE REGENERATION STAGE
3.CHRONIC REMODELING STAGE
There is relevant treatment applicable during each stage in order to reach optimum recovery for these injuries.
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ACUTE INFLAMMATORY STAGE
- 0 -48 HOURS POST INJURY
- SWELLING
- PAIN
- LOSS OF FUNCTION
- INTERSTITIAL BLEEDING INFLUX OF FIBROBLASTS
During this stage one of the most effective recipes for care is R.I.C.E (rest ice compression elevation).
It is important to get an accurate early diagnosis as to what the injury is, what tissues are affected , the mechanism of the injury and if possible the severity. Sometimes the severity cannot be determined without diagnostic tests such as xrays , ultrasound and or MRI. The only test that is immediately available to the general public at this stage is an xray, which will not show soft tissue damage.
Our Oakville Physiotherapist are qualified healthcare practitioners who can assess ,diagnose and initiate treatment at this stage. Too often the initial contact is the physician who usually prescribes rest, drugs, maybe an xray and no referral for any kind of treatment except a return visit.
Depending on the mechanism of the injury, severity and the tissues affected ,treatment such as ultrasound , electrical stimulation, gentle range of motion exercise, taping, self care advice is useful to optimize recovery during the first 48 hours of these injuries.
2. SUB-ACUTE REGENERATION STAGE
- 48 HOURS TO 14 DAYS(dependent on severity)
- PAIN
- SWELLING
- DECREASED SWELLING
- DECREASED PAIN
- IMPROVED FUNCTION
- REGENERATION OF TISSUE DISRUPTION OF INJURED TISSUE IS BRIDGED
This stage is where the body begins to regenerate the damaged tissue. Special connective tissue cells are brought to the area and begin to form a “SCAR “in the damaged tissue. This tissue is laid down in a “HAP HAZARD” formation and bridge the gap in any tissue that was torn. Sometimes the tears are microscopic, but tears nonetheless.
During this stage treatment should continue, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, any other modality, range of motion exercise, taping, possible strengthening depending on the severity of the damage, soft tissue and joint mobilization maybe initiated and continued self care advice. Further diagnostic tests maybe initiated at this point.
3.CHRONIC REMODELING STAGE
- 14 DAYS – ON WARDS DEPENDING ON SEVERITY UP TO 12 MONTHS
- STIFFNESS
- DECREASED PAIN
- DECREASED SWELLING
- CHRONIC PAIN
- CHRONIC SWELLING
- IMPAIRED FUNCTION
- INCREASE STRENGTH
- INCREASED RANGE OF MOTION
- FULL RECOVERY
This remodeling stage starts near the end of the regeneration stage. This is where remodeling of the connective tissue cells happens. These connective tissue cells are laid down and remodeled in the direction of stress and strain of the tissues. A pattern more like the original undamaged tissues.
Treatment at this stage is important to get the best end product of healing of the tissue. It is has been established that remodeling takes place as a direct product of the stress and strain put on the tissues during this stage, thereby giving a stronger more elastic end product of healing.
EARLY INTERVENTION AND ONGOING TREATMENT
During each stage of healing there is relevant and applicable treatment that can be done in order to enhance optimal healing of the injured tissue. The consequences of not having early and ongoing treatment of soft tissue injuries can have chronic and permanent consequences. Such as CHRONIC PAIN, CHRONIC SWELLING, STIFFNESS, and LOSS OF FUNCTION.
The reason for this is as the soft tissue is regenerating and remodeling, it is important for the connective tissue to be worked, stretched, strengthened, mobilized according to the lines of stress to produce a strong and elastic end product of healing.
What happens when soft tissue injuries are left to “ HEAL ON THERE OWN” without treatment is they become FIBROTIC.
FIBROSIS
- TISSUE IS FUNCTIONALLY DIFFERENT
- WEAKER
- LESS ELASTIC
- ADHESIONS
- CHRONIC PAIN
Acupuncture For Muscle Pain
One of the most effective treatment for soft tissue injuries is acupuncture treatment. Our Oakville acupuncture provider, Dr. Jenn, provides contemporary medical acupuncture for all your aches and pains.
If you are suffering with any kind of pain or injury, contact us today to book an acupuncture appointment.
