Wound Healing

Wound healing is a natural process by which the body repairs its damaged tissues. This involves the synchronous working of a cascade of complex biochemical processes that eventually repair the tissue. Wound healing can be chronologically categorized into three main stages: inflammation, proliferation and remodeling.

Stage 1: Inflammation

In the inflammation phase, bacteria and debris are phagocytized (ingested) and removed. This phase also involves the division of cells and release of factors for the proliferative stage.

Stage 2: Proliferation

The proliferative stage involves the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), collagen deposition and wound contraction by the action of myofibroblasts, which establish a grip on the wound edges and contract themselves.

Stage 3: Remodeling

In the final phase, remodeling, collagen is remodeled and aligned along the tension lines.

This process is often considered the most complex and fragile. Defects in the proliferation process can result in poor healing tissue. Factors that impede tissue healing include, diabetes, poor blood flow, advanced age and infections.