Up to Six Weeks After a Car Accident

Cells in your body respond to injury by forming a fibrous network called scar tissue amongst the tissues that have been torn.  Scar tissue consists of a group of long collagen molecules.  This is the same substance used to heal a cut on your skin.  How the injured site is used is what determines whether the scar becomes strong as is needed in a ligament, or flexible as needed in skin.  At first these fibrils of scar tissue  develop at random, in a loose network.  As stresses are placed on the injury site they rearrange to form a tight network.  

Without normal stresses this scar tissue will be laid down haphazardly and will remain weak.  It is therefore necessary to stretch the healing muscles and ligaments so that they heal strongly.  If the area is kept immobilized to avoid pain, the injured tissues will heal shorter resulting in  stiffness, pain, and weak scar tissue prone to strains in the future.

Without exercise this scar tissue can cause adhesions to develop amongst tissues that normally move freely on one another.  This results in recurring pain long after the accident and can be prevented through adequate exercise.  Consult your physiotherapist regarding appropriate exercises for your injury.

Your muscles will feel weak and you may find it difficult to sit or stand up straight.  Muscles have been damaged and therefore will not contract with the same power or endurance that they once did. Because of this,  and because you have experienced a general reduction in activity, your muscles and heart will become weaker over this time.

Your physiotherapist will instruct you regarding correct stretching techniques and gentle strengthening exercises.  Do not be alarmed if an exercise causes some mild discomfort which lasts a few minutes. This is to be expected.  If you do have pain during exercising be sure to advise you physiotherapist to determine if this is a pain that can be expected.

After 72 hours, bleeding has stopped, inflammation is subsiding, so it is no longer necessary to apply ice.  At this time heat will help stimulate the circulation, keep scar tissue from adhering to adjacent tissues and aid in stretching and pain management.