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DISCLAIMER:
THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
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Scar, which is the common name for the fibrous, poorly elastic tissue by which most tissues in the body heals, does not go away. Physical therapy, begun at an appropriate time, early in the postoperative course, when the scar tissue has not yet achieved full tensil strength through infiltration of collagen fibers may assist in a return to normal ranges of motion. This, though, should only be attempted under the directions of an appropriate medical specialist. Fibrous scar tends to retract over time, often resulting in a decreasing range of motion. In severe and persistent problems of this kind, scar tissue and adhesion are sometimes released by surgical incision and/or forced manipulation under anesthesia by a specialist. Scar tissue of the skin tends to "mature" over a six or so month period, at which time it generally becomes flatter and less prominent. I would suggest great caution in the use of ice, unless adequately instructed by your therapist or doctor, as cold injuries can result from improper use of this modality. |
