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
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
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 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