Wound Healing Stages – A Brief


Wound healing typically follows a linear process involving 4 phases. In some rare cases the wound may regress to a previous stage and then again proceed to heal.

Phase 1: Haemostasis Phase – Haemostasis is the first phase that the wound goes through immediately after injury. The body mechanism prevents excess blood flow to stop all the blood from draining out. Firstly, the blood vessels constrict to reduce the flow of blood. Then the platelets present in the blood are activated. Fibrin threads form a mesh along which these platelets are deposited and form a gel like substance at the site of the bleeding. This is called coagulation. The release of prothrombin helps in the formation of a thrombus or clot. This clot usually stays attached to the fibrin mesh. The doctor may recommend a bandage and a 3m micropore paper tape on the wound at this time

Phase 2: Inflammatory Phase - The stage that comes after Haemostasis is Inflammation. We generally understand inflammation as heating, swelling, oedema, and pain of the wound which sets in a little after the wound is inflicted. The inflammatory phase is a stage of wound healing in which the constricted blood vessels (due to Haemostasis) now dilate to allow the flow of blood and healing repair cells. Including white blood cells, enzymes, growth factors, and nutrients. The intense activity that now boosts growth and healing around the wound is what presents as inflammation. In this phase it is important that the wound be monitored for signs of maceration.


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Phase 3: Proliferative Phase - The wound healing stage that comes after Inflammation is the Proliferative phase. This phase of wound healing involves the rebuilding of new tissue. The wound at this time starts to contract as collagen and extracellular matrix start to build up new tissue. For proper healing to take place it is important that new blood vessels be rebuilt in the site. These will now supply oxygen and nutrients aiding the healing process. The new granulation tissue should ideally be pink or reddish and granular and uneven in texture. If the granular tissue is dark, it is often an indicator of unhealthy healing, infection, ischaemia or poor perfusion. This phase is also characterized by the re-emergence of epithelial cells – a process called Epithelialisation.

Phase 4: Maturation Phase - The final stage of wound healing is the Maturation phase. By this time the wound has closed and remodelling of collagen from Type III to Type I. The cells that had aided repair activity but are no longer necessary are removed through programmed cell death (apoptosis). The collagen that had formed in the proliferative phase are now aligned closer and moisture is absorbed. Scars are reduced, and the wound regains a semblance of normalcy making it stronger. Despite this the wounded area is weaker than normal skin. At this time, cellular activity reduces in the area.

Your doctor will recommend various bandages and ointments in keeping with the wound healing stage. These can be bought at the stores such as Smart Medical Buyer where you would buya blood pressure machine.

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