injury rehabilitation
time scales
In most sprain and strain injuries there are 3 main processes of repair, and each has its own timescale.
1 – Inflammation (the first 2-3 days)
Inflammation is the body’s response to injury and disease. It is
a local reaction to damaged cells of the body. In these 2-3 days many changes
take place in the damaged area. Firstly there is local bleeding and cells
die. This is followed by plasma fluid flowing into the area causing swelling.
This plasma contains the clotting agent fibrinogen and white blood cells
that clear out the dead cells. The sticky matrix formed eventually leads
to scar tissue.
2 – Soft Tissue Repair (3 days to 3 weeks)
Repair aims to restore damaged tissues to their original condition. Living
cells now regenerate the area forming new blood vessels and lymphatic
drainage systems. Fibrils of collagen are laid down in line with the
direction of stress imposed upon the tissue.
3 – Remodelling (3 weeks to 1 year)
The collagen fibres harden gradually remodelling the scar tissue.