Lecture 1 Intro Flashcards
Role of PT: Primary vs. Secondary
Primary: PT is primary provider assessing and treating integumentary dysfunction/wounds. Most likely referral from physician. PTs do not make medical diagnoses, only rehab diagnoses
Secondary: Patient is not seeing PT specifically for skin/wound related issues
In both roles, communication with interprofessional team is required
Characteristics of Epidermis
- Outer layer of skin
- Repair and regenerates every 28 days
- Consist of 5 layers
General Function of Epidermis
- Protective barrier
- Differentiates into hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands
Characteristics of Dermis
- Consist of two layers: Papillary dermis and reticular dermis
General function of Dermis
- Supports structure
- mechanical strength
- resists shear force
- supplies nutrition
- inflammatory response
characteristics of subcutaneous tissue
- composed of adipose and connective tissue
General function of Subcutaneous tissue
Thermal insulation
Mechanical “shock absorber”
Controls body shape
3 wound categories
superficial, partial-thickness, full-thickness
Superficial Wound
Tissue involved: epidermis
Examples: Abrasion, Superficial burn
Partial thickness
Tissue involved: Epidermis, Dermis
Examples: Blister, Stage 2 pressure injury
Full thickness
Tissue involved: Epidermis, Dermis, Subcutaneous tissue
Examples: Full-thickness burn, Stage 3 pressure injury
The process of wound healing requires?
- complete wound closure and successful functional scar tissue organization
Tissue repair is a?
- Continuous process
What are the four phases of wound healing?
Hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation/repair, Maturation/remodeling
What happens during hemostasis
Clotting, Vascular response
Platelet aggregation and Vasoconstriction
Main Actor: Platelets
What happens in Proliferation / repair
Scar formation, Epithelial healing, Contraction
- Formation of granulation tissue in the wound space
- Fibroblasts move into the wound space and proliferate
Importance of Proliferative Phase
- Type III collagen in the wound has decreased tensile strength, patient is at risk for wound dehiscence or openning of wound edges
Key events at Proliferative Phase
- Angiogenesis: Capillary growth into ECM
- Reepithelialization: Migration of marginal basal cells
- Wound contraction: Contraction of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts to bring wound edges closer
What happens in Inflammatory Phase
- Bacteria and other pathogens enter the wound, stimulating tissue repair
- Increase vasodilation, allowing for delivery of blood and nutrients to injured area
What are two inflammatory cells attracted to the wound space to mount an acute inflammatory response?
- Neutrophils: reach peak numbers within 24-48 hours, destroy bacteria by phagocytosis
- Macrophages: arrive 2-3 days after injury, activate cells involved in tissue repair