The human body is designed to do just about anything we want to do, with some limitations. For example our bones can withstand huge amounts pressure. In studies of human bone strength the scientists took long bones from several cadavers and subjected them to forces from top to bottom, pulling them apart, and from the side. It was found that human bones could withstand top to bottom compression forces of 22,000 pounds per square inch, pulling apart force of 10,000 pounds per square inch, and sideways force of 5,000 pounds per square inch. That's incredible. The connective tissue is hard to test because no person alive will subject themselves to an experiment to test when their ligaments will fail. Studies on dead tissue will not prove accurate because the tissue is missing blood supply and regular repair mechanisms that are in place in our body. What we do know about the human body when it undergoes injury is the following:
- The immediate effects of an abrupt surprise start or stop accident are small or large ruptures in the muscle and connective tissue.
- Bleeding over and through the torn muscle and connective tissue.
- Clotting of the bleeding tissue.
- Dead cells, clots and fibers covering the places of bleeding much like a scab on the skin of the body
- The separate parts of the torn muscle and connective tissue are pulled together by the clotting tissue.
- Tender new cells are formed to replace the old torn tissue
- The tender new cells mature and improve in strength and elasticity.
Because of these processes listed above it is normal to feel the following after an accident:
- A sense of looseness and lack of control because of the small or large tears in the muscle and connective tissue. Usually felt immediately and can last up to two weeks depending on how much damage was caused
- A feeling of pressure, achiness, and swelling because of the bleeding, clotting, and dead cell accumulation in and around the torn tissue. Usually felt two to three hours after the accident and can last up to three months and longer if the tissue is being torn again and again.
- A feeling of stiffness and restricted movement because of the clotting material pulling the torn ends together. Usually felt from three days after the accident and can be indefinite if the tissue is not conditioned correctly.
- A feeling of strength restrictions due to the new and tender tissue replacing the old dead tissue. Usually felt around two weeks after the accident and can get worse if the tissue does not heal in a good condition.
- A loss of normal range of motion and continued swelling and soreness if the torn tissue does not heal correctly.
It is important after a surprise start or stop abrupt injury to help the body heal the soft tissue just like a correct setting of a broken bone. Soft tissue also needs specific care to heal right and true.