GTS Soft Tissue Pathology & Fibrosis Flashcards

What is the primary tissue change that Graston Technique targets during treatment?

Answer: Fascial fibrosis and cross-linked collagen

Graston Technique targets fascial fibrosis and abnormally cross-linked collagen that forms as a result of soft tissue injury and incomplete healing.

During which phase of tissue healing does fibrosis most commonly become problematic?

Answer: Remodeling phase

Fibrosis becomes problematic during the remodeling phase when collagen matures but may be laid down in a disorganized, cross-linked pattern rather than aligned with tissue stress lines.

Which type of collagen is predominantly found in healthy tendon tissue?

Answer: Type I collagen

Type I collagen is the predominant collagen in healthy tendons, providing high tensile strength and organized parallel fiber alignment.

What cellular component is primarily responsible for synthesizing new collagen during soft tissue repair?

Answer: Fibroblasts

Fibroblasts are the primary cells responsible for synthesizing collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins during soft tissue repair.

Which of the following best describes chronic tendinopathy at the cellular level?

Answer: Angiogenesis, disorganized collagen, and increased Type III collagen

Chronic tendinopathy is characterized by angiogenesis, disorganized collagen fibers, and a shift toward weaker Type III collagen rather than the normal Type I collagen.

What is the proposed mechanism by which IASTM instruments stimulate fibroblast activity?

Answer: Mechanical stimulation triggering cellular proliferation and remodeling

IASTM instruments are proposed to stimulate fibroblast activity through mechanical loading, which triggers cellular proliferation and initiates collagen remodeling.