Injury Cycle

Injury cycle

Inflammatory Phase

  1. Duration: 3-10 days (may last longer if the activity is pursued, micro-traumatisms repeated)
  2. Vascular response to the injury: brief initial vasoconstriction followed by rapid excessive vasodilatation.
  3. Cellular response: influx of neutrophilic and basophilic leukocytes and macrophages
  4. Goal of treatment: Diminish the inflammatory response

PRICE

  • Protection
  • Rest
  • Ice
  • Compression
  • Elevation

Fibroblastic Phase

  1. Duration: 2-4 weeks
  2. Production of collagen with the migration of fibroblasts.
  3. Goal of treatment: Direct the fibroblasts using gentle mobilizations, limit or increase premature mobility to the limit of pain.

Remodelling Phase

  1. Duration: 4 weeks –1 year
  2. Re-organization of collagen tissue according to the functional demand imposed on the structure.
  3. Goal of treatment: Mobilization to the maximum range of motion, prolonged stretching, emphasis on function.