SOFT TISSUE INJURY

Soft Tissue Injury

Soft Tissue Injury

Introduction

Over the decades, due to advancement in medical scientific methodology and treatment processes in general or sports physiology, marked awareness has emerged among researchers to understand the biological phenomenon behind it. Concerning soft tissue injury, in order to understand the primary patho-physiological cascade associated with causation of injury, healing processes and tissue repairement phases, sports therapists ought to pay better attention towards soft tissue injuries and relevant rehabilitation program for their athletes. These kinds of injuries can happen to any athlete under training or professional. Trauma to the muscles, ligaments and joint capsules are categorized as soft tissue damage and it's is divided into two types of injuries known as Macro-Trauma and Micro-Trauma. There have been arguments to find the best possible way to treat the soft tissue healing process. Most of the sports therapists believe in PRICE (Protection, Rest, Icing, Compression and Elevation). However, this is true in cases in which active metabolic tissues like bones and ligaments are injured and is not quite applicable for injuries causing cellular infiltrations (SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE AND HEALING, 2013).

Commentary

The purpose of this assignment is to understand the four basic phases associated in healing process. By complete understanding of these processes sport therapist can analyze and treat an injured athlete correctly and effectively. All connective tissue injuries undergo similar kind of healing process consisting of overlapping four major phases (Alexa Monroy BS, 2013).

The Bleeding Phase

The first phase of the soft tissue healing process is the bleeding phase. It is said that from the start of the injury to the end of bleed, it lasts for 4-6 hours depending on the patient and the type of injury. For example, the Anterior Cruciate ligament takes a moderate time to heal because of a lack of blood supply.When a body part makes collision with a solid object usually at high speed the blood vessels inside gets ruptured by the impact of share forces resulting in Hemostasis, which is stagnation of blood on injury site thus preventing absolute loss of blood, platelet activation and coagulation processes. Later surrounding capillaries undergo vaso-constriction in order to stop blood flow towards injurious tissues. This results in liberation of Mast cells and Neuroglobins released under oxidative stress condition responsible for sensory protection against cell death. This lasts for few minutes and where by platelets release Serotinin, a neurotransmitter causing localize vasoconstriction. Platelets get adhered to the vessel walls and formed plugs to stop the excessive loss of blood outside the body. Serotonin and adenosine di-phosphate secrete chemicals to attract more platelets to the wounded area where as thromboxane A causes platelets aggression and generalized vasoconstriction (Auley, 2001).

The Inflammatory Phase

Inflammation in case of necrosis or cell death is characterized by the release of intracellular contents after the cell membrane is being damaged. Inflammation occurs as a result of injury, hypoxic insults and infections in muscle tissues. Coagulation is a very essential part of the healing process as it coagulates the blood protein to form a ...