The Healing Cascade: Facilitating and Optimizing the System

Abstract

Healing is a complex process of orchestrated reactions and interactions with the goal of restoring structure and physical properties to damaged tissues. The musculoskeletal system is composed of different types of connective tissues. When healthy, each has a unique structure, function, and remodeling process. When damaged, they demonstrate unique healing processes. However, similarities in the process exist. Understanding these properties of healing is critical in the development and application of regenerative therapeutics. This article describes the common phases of healing, differences between healing in musculoskeletal tissues, factors that affect healing, and strategies to facilitate and optimize healing.

Keywords: Healing; Inflammation; Proliferation; Regeneration; Regenerative medicine; Remodeling; Repair.