TISSUE HEALING

What happens when I injure myself?

1. Acute Inflammatory Phase

Damage to soft tissue, blood vessels and cells results in leakage of fluids and cells into the region.

Chemicals such as histamine, serotonin and prostaglandins are released. These chemicals maintain and cause further vascular leakage.

This phase typically lasts from 3 to 5 days.

Key point: Blood and chemicals from injured cells produce inflammation and pain.

2. Repair Phase

Macrophages, which are the body's rubbish men, pick up and remove dead cells, the early blood clot and red blood cells from the injury site. They also stimulate the production and laying down of scar tissue (collagen). New blood vessels begin to form and grow into the early scar.

This phase begins from 3 days and lasts for 4 to 6 weeks.

Key point: Damaged tissue is removed and new scar tissue is laid down.

3. Remodelling phase

This phase occurs initially during the repair phase. The collagen of the scar is continually realigned in the direction of the muscle, ligament or tendon.

Recent research has indicated that correctly instructed exercises begun early in the recovery would stimulate the remodelling phase and produce a stronger repair.

This phase begins at 3 to 6 weeks and lasts up to 6 months.

Key point: Controlled exercise will produce a better and stronger repair.