Soft Tissue Healing

Objectives Understand the terminology involved in the phases of soft tissue healing Identify and explain the phases of soft tissue healing Contrast the phases of soft tissue healing

Terminology Vasoconstriction - blood vessels become narrow and limit flow Vasodilation - blood vessels widen to increase flow Leukocytes - white blood cells fight injury/infection Phagocytosis - clean up and digestion of damaged or foreign particles Exudate - discharge of blood elements into tissue spaces Hypoxia - lack of oxygen

Terminology Fibroplasia - second phase of tissue healing in which collagen fiber meshwork is formed; scar formation Fibroblast - cell that contributes to formation of connective tissue fibers Collagen - extracellular proteins that from connective tissue between cells Synthesis - development Avascular - without blood flow

Acute Inflammatory Response Phase 0-4 days post-injury Purpose: Formation of a clot Send cells in to clean and prepare area for scar tissue

Acute Inflammatory Response Phase Vasoconstriction 5-10 min Clotting factors activated Vasodilation up to 36 hours post-injury Leukocytes and phagocytic cells sent in Cell walls more permeable so increase in exudate

Acute Inflammatory Response Negatives There will be cell death due to: Trauma to involved tissue Hypoxia of surrounding healthy tissue Exposure to phagocytic enzymes by surrounding tissues Prolonged inflammation will increase amount of cells damaged

Proliferation Phase (Fibroplasia) Few hours post-injury to up to 6 weeks Formation of granulation tissue which includes: Capillaries Fibroblasts Collagen synthesis Random placement of collagen Increasing strength of scar tissue Proliferation Phase (Fibroplasia)

Maturation Phase Can last 1 year or more Location of injury, amount of damage will affect Unorganized collagen matrix begins to align based on tensile strength Scar tissue is: Generally weaker than original tissue Inelastic Avascular