1. TREATMENT
The basic processes of soft tissue healing underlie all treatment techniques for sports injuries
Therefore, we need to know what occurs in the body tissues at each stage of healing in order to select the most appropriate treatment technique.
INJURY INFLAMMATION REPAIR
REMODELLING

2. STAGES OF HEALING

3. INJURY STAGE
This stage represents the tissue effects at the time of injury, before the inflammatory process is activated.
With tissue damage, chemical and mechanical changes are seen
Local blood cells are disrupted causing cessation in supply of oxygen to the cells.

4. INFLAMMATION
Response to injury same regardless nature of injury or location
Can last 10 minutes – several days depending on amount damage
Not just a feature of soft tissue injuries. It occurs when body is infected, in immune reactions.

5. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS HEAT – due to increased blood flow
REDNESS - Vessels enforced and dilated
SWELLING – due to movement of a fluid into a restricted area, possibly a haematoma
PAIN - caused by swelling that has put pressure on the nerve endings. Also a protection mechanism of the body.

6. REPAIR
Is by RESOLUTION – ORGANISATION or REGENERATION depending on the severity of the injury and the nature of the injured tissues.
A minor injury = acute inflammation hence the phagocytic cells will clear the area. Little tissue then the stage of resolution will result in a return to near normal.

7. RESOLUTION This middle stage is very important as it can effect –
How the injury heals
How supple it will be eventually
How much or little ROM
How strong it will be
BY HOW YOU TREAT IT DURING 1st 3

8. AIM The tissues overloaded with waste- products
Poor blood supply to and from the area because congestion or swelling prevent normal intercellular exchange of fluids
Therefore, we must increase blood to and from the area
HOW? Static Contractions