TREATMENT The basic processes of soft tissue healing underlie all treatment techniques for sports injuries Therefore, we need to know what occurs in the body tissues at each stage of healing in order to select the most appropriate treatment technique. INJURY INFLAMMATION REPAIR REMODELLING

STAGES OF HEALING

INJURY STAGE This stage represents the tissue effects at the time of injury, before the inflammatory process is activated. With tissue damage, chemical and mechanical changes are seen Local blood cells are disrupted causing cessation in supply of oxygen to the cells.

INFLAMMATION Response to injury same regardless nature of injury or location Can last 10 minutes – several days depending on amount damage Not just a feature of soft tissue injuries. It occurs when body is infected, in immune reactions.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS HEAT – due to increased blood flow REDNESS - Vessels enforced and dilated SWELLING – due to movement of a fluid into a restricted area, possibly a haematoma PAIN - caused by swelling that has put pressure on the nerve endings. Also a protection mechanism of the body.

REPAIR Is by RESOLUTION – ORGANISATION or REGENERATION depending on the severity of the injury and the nature of the injured tissues. A minor injury = acute inflammation hence the phagocytic cells will clear the area. Little tissue then the stage of resolution will result in a return to near normal.

RESOLUTION This middle stage is very important as it can effect – How the injury heals How supple it will be eventually How much or little ROM How strong it will be BY HOW YOU TREAT IT DURING 1st 3

AIM The tissues overloaded with waste- products Poor blood supply to and from the area because congestion or swelling prevent normal intercellular exchange of fluids Therefore, we must increase blood to and from the area HOW? Static Contractions