Sprains and Strains
Soft tissue healing time is a continuum of overlapping systems that are working toward homeostasis (e.g., back to "normal"). Healing time within each tissue healing stage will vary, and is largely influenced by the extent of the injury. Lower grade sprains and strains will progress through the stages of tissue healing fasters than higher grade sprains and strains.
Ankle sprain
Ankle sprain is one of the most common and recurrent ligamentous injuries.
Review the general information from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons on Ankle sprain to deepen your understanding of the sprain grading system
Here is an example of how the tissue healing stages can vary with a common ankle (anterior talofibular ligament) sprain
|
|
Grade I |
Grade II |
Grade III |
|
acute healing |
1-2 days |
2-4 days |
5-7 days |
|
subacute healing |
2-4 days |
3-5 days |
4-8 days |
|
chronic - rehab phase |
1 week |
2 weeks |
3 weeks |
Muscle Contusions
Bruises are muscle contusions, usually due to some blunt force to the contractile tissue.
Muscle Strains
Grading systems for sprains and strains are the same. The higher the grade, the more severe the injury.
Muscle tissue healing time is also dependent on the extent of the involved muscle tissue, although healing times are generally faster in this well-vascularized issue compared to avascular soft tissue. Care must be taken to allow for progressive rebuilding of muscle tissue, while encouraging progressive ROM.
