Acute/Sub-Acute/Chronic Stages
Stage 1: The Acute or Inflammatory Stage. (Day 1-3)
Immediately after an injury, inflammation occurs. Inflammation is characterized by pain, swelling, and redness that happens at the injury site. This natural response by the body is its way of protecting the injured part of the body and releasing chemicals that will help with the pain and discomfort. Scar tissue also starts to form at this stage of healing, and RICE is highly recommended. RICE is Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevation. Depending on the severity of the injury, gentle movements and/or physical therapy may be beneficial which can aid in pain management and healing.
An acute injury may include some or all of the following:
· INFLAMMATION = Redness and Swelling
· Sudden, severe pain
· The inability to weight bear (for example: not being able to step on your foot without pain.)
· Decreased mobility or Range of Motion (for example: you suddenly can't lift your arm up as far as you used to.)
· Muscle spasm
· Extreme weakness
· Visible dislocation or break of a bone
· Red, black, blue bruising
Stage 2: The Sub Acute Stage. (Day 4 - 3 Weeks)
In this stage the body starts to grow more tissues, and starts repairing what was damaged in the first place. Since the tissues are new, you must be very careful not to re- damage them, as this could result in even more pain than the original trauma. Mild exercises when done right can help to strengthen the damaged area.
An injury in the Sub Acute Stage may include some of all of the following:
· Fragile scar tissue forming (Your body is regenerating and developing new tissue)
· Yellow, green or brown bruising
· Range of motion increases
· Inflammation decreases
Stage 3: The Chronic Stage (3 Weeks –Weeks, Months or Years)
The area that sustained injury is now well into healing and scar tissue has now been modified by the body. By this point, people usually will not feel any more pain, except when overuse or the joint reaches its full range of motion. Exercise, physical therapy, and lots of joint movement are recommended.
Chronic injuries may include some or all of the following:
· Pain with movement is dull or achy, not sharp.
· Pain at the very end of a range of movement.
· Dull ache at rest
· Bruising is gone
· Signs of inflammation are gone
· Scar tissue is maturing
Immediately after an injury, inflammation occurs. Inflammation is characterized by pain, swelling, and redness that happens at the injury site. This natural response by the body is its way of protecting the injured part of the body and releasing chemicals that will help with the pain and discomfort. Scar tissue also starts to form at this stage of healing, and RICE is highly recommended. RICE is Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevation. Depending on the severity of the injury, gentle movements and/or physical therapy may be beneficial which can aid in pain management and healing.
An acute injury may include some or all of the following:
· INFLAMMATION = Redness and Swelling
· Sudden, severe pain
· The inability to weight bear (for example: not being able to step on your foot without pain.)
· Decreased mobility or Range of Motion (for example: you suddenly can't lift your arm up as far as you used to.)
· Muscle spasm
· Extreme weakness
· Visible dislocation or break of a bone
· Red, black, blue bruising
Stage 2: The Sub Acute Stage. (Day 4 - 3 Weeks)
In this stage the body starts to grow more tissues, and starts repairing what was damaged in the first place. Since the tissues are new, you must be very careful not to re- damage them, as this could result in even more pain than the original trauma. Mild exercises when done right can help to strengthen the damaged area.
An injury in the Sub Acute Stage may include some of all of the following:
· Fragile scar tissue forming (Your body is regenerating and developing new tissue)
· Yellow, green or brown bruising
· Range of motion increases
· Inflammation decreases
Stage 3: The Chronic Stage (3 Weeks –Weeks, Months or Years)
The area that sustained injury is now well into healing and scar tissue has now been modified by the body. By this point, people usually will not feel any more pain, except when overuse or the joint reaches its full range of motion. Exercise, physical therapy, and lots of joint movement are recommended.
Chronic injuries may include some or all of the following:
· Pain with movement is dull or achy, not sharp.
· Pain at the very end of a range of movement.
· Dull ache at rest
· Bruising is gone
· Signs of inflammation are gone
· Scar tissue is maturing
