Scar Tissue

Every injury comes with its share of scar tissue. Ankle sprains, herniated discs and strokes are all due to some tissue type being injured. Our bodies due a fantastic job of healing injured tissues, however the process is not perfect. We are left with what has been deemed scar tissue, a healed area at the injury site that works, but it works differently than the original.

Scar tissue gets a bad rap in most discussions, often being described as a limiting factor for recovery and mobility. It is usually true that we have lost something due to injury, but it is quite remarkable what our body does to heal an injured area, laying down collagen to mend the disrupted area back together. That collagen is similar to the previous, original tissue that had been there, but it is not quite the same. A number of characteristics are different, however from my point of view, this tissue may lack some degree of pliability. It might not deform in the same way the uninjured tissue does, hindering some elements of movement. The residual deficits can be anything from a limitation in blood vessel mobility to ankle range of motion depending on the injury.

Although imperfections now exist in new places, we have a great ability to compensate. Healthy, original tissues in the immediate vicinity can assist in the requirements needed for movement. If we sprain an ankle, the site of the ligament injury lays down scar tissue which could limit available motion in the future, however surrounding healthy tissues can become more mobile in an effort to accommodate the damaged region. It may require additional time and effort going forward to maintain the capacity of the injury site, but restoration is possible.

Scar tissue is a normal aspect of healing, it will most likely forever change the dynamics of the area, but not necessarily in a limiting way. The scar typically is less capable than the original, but nearby tissues can respond to those changes by increasing their capabilities to make up for the injured area. We do not heal perfectly, and many times there are lasting changes, but we can compensate for those changes and continue on the trajectory we desire.

Austin Ulrich, Physical Therapist