REGARDLESS THE MECHANISM OF INJURY ALL TISSUE HEALS THE SAME WAY.

 Wound healing in any tissue follows a predictable sequence of events, three major phases.  Knowledge of the phases of wound healing allows a practitioner to select appropriate treatment.

• The first is phase is the inflammatory phase; this begins immediately following wound formation, and typically last 2-4 days.  During the inflammatory phase the body reacts to stop bleeding and begin the process of healing. 

 

• The second phase is the Proliferative phase which begins approximately on day three, overlapping the inflammatory phase.  During the proliferative the body begins to rebuild itself, blood vessels, epithelialization, and collagen formation.  Granulation tissue, created during this phase, is very important in wounds healing under secondary intention.  When collagen synthesis and breakdown become equal, the next phase of healing has begun.

 

• The last phase is the remodeling phase, this phase continues for six months to a year after the injury, identified by increased collagen production.  The wound is considered completely healed and the remodeling phase is complete when the strength of the newly formed tissue is 80% the strength of uninjured tissue.