Musculoskeletal Healing Process

Abstract

Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries are ubiquitous and vary in location, type, and degree of severity. While many injuries require unique management approaches, almost all MSK injuries follow variants of a basic physiologic healing pathway. Being familiar with this pathway enables a clinician to make inferences about the healing time and resulting performance of the repaired tissue. Further, understanding the mechanisms behind MSK repair informs recommendations that promote healing. While the old adage of “rest, ice, compression, and elevation” is still relevant today, much more can be done to support tissue repair. Nutrition counseling is an often overlooked but critical component of caring for the injured athlete. Additionally, educating patients on detrimental behavioral habits and treatments (e.g., NSAIDs) can avoid delays in healing. Providing appropriately timed and graded exercises/physical therapy is also critical to maximizing the integrity of the repaired tissue. When creating a treatment plan, especially in cases of delayed healing, the clinician must also consider comorbid conditions that may compromise healing. Novel interventions for disruptions in the healing process, specifically in the case of fracture, have shown promising results; however, further study is warranted prior to making definitive recommendations.