Basics of Tissue Injury

Chapter 2

Soft Tissue Injury

• AKA wounds

• When the tissue is injured it may bleed, become inflamed or produce extra fluid

Sprains and Strains

• Wounds that bleed internally, which may cause a fluid buildup

• Sprains:Strains: – 1st Degree:– 2nd Degree:– 3rd Degree:

Nerve Injuries: – Loss of sensation and movement– Stretching can cause extreme pain– Long healing time

Types of Soft Tissue Injuries

• Incision:

• Abrasion:

• Contusion: AKA Bruise

• Laceration:

Types of Soft Tissue Injuries

• Avulsion:

• Amputation:

• Puncture:

• Contrecoup:

Stages of Soft Tissue Injury

• Stage I: Acute Inflammatory – Lasts about 2 days– Increased flow of blood to injured area brings

cells & chemicals to start the healing process

Phagocytes:

Leukocytes:

Platelets:

Stages of Soft Tissue Injury

• Stage II: Repair– Lasts 6 weeks to 3 months– Fibroblasts:

• Form the scar• Recovery time depends on extent of injury

Stages of Soft Tissue Injury

• Stage III: Remodeling– Can take 1 year or longer– Building tissue strength in tendons, ligaments

& muscles to withstand the sress applied to the body during activity

Factors to Healing Time

• Degree of injury• Location• Blood Supply • Age• Nutrition• Illnesses• Medications• Infections• Scar Tissue• Size of Wound• Return to Play too early

Bone Injuries

• Dislocation:

• Subluxation:

• Fracture:

Fracture Healing

• The bone has been compromised and weakened

• Splint/cast for 6-8 weeks

• Sometimes an

athlete can be

splinted &

resume play

Fracture Healing

• Stage I: Acute– Lasts about 4 days– Osteoclasts:

– Osteoblasts:

Fracture Healing

• Stage II: Repair– Osteoclasts & osteoblasts continue to regenerate

bone– A callus is formed:

• Boney splint that extends internally & externally to hold the bony ends together

• Eventually turns into a sleeve of hard callus bone

– Callus turns to bone at about week 3 and continues for 3 months

– In most cases, after 6 weeks the athlete can return to play with protection

Fracture Healing

• Stage III: Remodeling – Takes several years to complete– Callus is reabsorbed & replaced with a fibrous

cord which surrounds the fracture site

Non-union: