1. Lesson One: Phases of Soft Tissue Healing
Unit 1 – Tissue Response to Injury

2. THINK-PAIR-SHARE
The starting running back has sprained his ankle 2 days before the 1st playoff game.
The coach, parents, and athlete want to know what can be done to make him well more quickly.
Question: What does the athletic trainer need to know to answer their question?

3. Objective By the end of the lesson: Define the 3 Phases of Healing
Identify factors that impede healing

4. Three Phases of healing
There are 3 phases that an injury will go through in order to heal.
Inflammatory Response Phase
Fibroblastic Repair Phase
Aka: Proliferation Phase
Maturation Phase
Aka: Remodeling Phase

5. Time Span Interpret this graph. What does it mean? 3 2
1: Inflammatory Phase
2: Fibroblastic Phase
3: Maturation-Remodeling Phase 1
Injury
6 Wks
Day 4
2-3 Yrs

6. Inflammatory Response Phase
Once tissue is injured, the healing process begins immediately
This phase is characterized by:
Increased Temperature of tissue
Redness
Swelling
Tenderness/Pain
Loss of function

7. Inflammatory Response Phase (Cont.)
This phase of healing is CRITICAL to the entire process of healing. If this response does not accomplish what it is supposed to do, normal healing cannot take place.

8. Inflammatory Response

9. Inflammatory Response
White blood cells are delivered to the site of injured tissue – begin the clean up!
Vasoconstriction lasts for 5-10 minutes
Chemical mediators then produce dilation – causing swelling
Swelling is directly related to how damaged the blood & lymph vessels are
Formation of a clot begins – scab/scar
This phase lasts 2-4 days after initial injury

10. Fibroblastic Repair Phase
Fibers are created, causing a scab/scar in the tissue
Signs and symptoms of inflammation start to decrease
Increased blood flow during this phase brings nutrients to the injury site – essential for growth

11. Fibroblastic Repair Phase
Granulation tissue—containing fibroblasts, collagen, & small capillaries—is formed
The fibroblasts create a matrix filled with more collagen, elastin, & other chemicals
This stage can begin 2hrs after injury and last up to 4 wks

12. Fibroblastic Repair Phase

13. Maturation-Remodeling Phase
Remodeling of the fibers creates scar tissue – according to the force it was subjected to
What does this mean?
If fibers were laid down properly during Phase 1 and 2, the scar tissue will be strong and return close to normal.
If fibroblast stage was too long or too short, the tissue may not return to normal.

14. Maturation-Remodeling Phase (cont.)
With increased stress & strain, like in rehab, fibers realign in maximum position, parallel to the lines of tension
Tissue assumes normal appearance, but not as strong as normal tissue.
By the end of 3 weeks a firm scar is formed
This phase can last up to 3 years

15. Take note
On the 6th -7th day collagen fibers are deposited in a random formation which creates a scar
As more fibers are laid down, the scar becomes stronger – which begins the maturation phase
What would happen if the inflammatory response and fibroblast phases are prolonged? What do you think would happen to the scar?

16. Questions What could make the healing process slow down?
What factors could impede healing?

17. Answers Extent of injury If severe, each phase could be prolonged.
Microtears will damage the more superficial skin layers which are more easily replaced.
Macrotears can penetrate several layers of skin, requiring more nutrients & supplies to heal.

18. Answers Prolonged swelling Prevented by good first aid management.
Swelling compresses all vessels in its path. Nerve signals, blood, & lymph flow are decreased, increasing the risk of further harm.

19. Answers
Infection
Not caring for an open wound can cause a delay in healing.
The longer is it open & uncleaned, the more bacteria crawls in & causes problems with healing

20. Answers Age The older we get, the greater the change in wound healing.
It becomes more difficult & time consuming for our bodies to heal

21. Answers Health & Nutrition
Certain lifestyle habits—smoking, malnourishment, dehydration, substance abuse—can drastically change healing times due to the changes in body chemistry that they cause.
An unhealthy body cannot produce adequate nutrients to promote healing!

22. Exit Cards
A wrestler receives a sudden twist to his right shoulder, causing a grade 2 muscle tear. What happens in the first hour of this injury?
What is the timeline for an injury? How long is each phase?