CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: DISORDERS INVOLVING FASCIA, BURSA & MENISCI
Fascia is a type of connective tissue that penetrates and surrounds all the muscle, bone, nerves, blood vessels and organs of the body. Fascia functions to support and protect body structures and has a major role in shock absorption, immunity, and the mediation of the body’s chemical reactions. Fascia also provides a framework for the repair of body tissues.
Fascia is divided into three types or layers.
fascia is the fascia associated with the skin. Superficial fascia is found
deep to the skin and mucous membranes and surrounds the entire body.
fascia is found surrounding bundles of muscle and nerves and surrounds blood
vessels and bones.
fascia surrounds the body’s organs and forms the mesenteries that suspend the organs from the walls of the body cavities. These three layers of fascia function with the structures they are associated with and also function with each other to protect the other body tissues.
Fascia is involved with many types of pathologies as it is intimately related to every structure in the body. The most recognized fascial dysfunctions include the formations of adhesions, fasciitis and compartment syndrome. Adhesions are fibrous bands of _______________ that form between adjacent structures. Adhesions usually form in response to injury and can be thought of as micro-scars. Adhesions cause dysfunction when they form between structures that are meant to move or function independently of each other. Adhesions can cause the displacement of structures, restrict range of motion, cause pain, and reduce the function of an organ or structure. Treatment of adhesions is through physical therapy, including massage therapy. Manipulations designed to breakdown excessive collagen molecules between independent structures can be applied to body tissues to relieve pain and dysfunction. Manipulations that target adhesions include frictions, fascial stripping, skin rolling and other specialized fascial techniques. Fasciitis refers to the ______________ of fascia. Fasciitis occurs due to infection, repeated compression or ischemia and autoimmune reactions. Conventional treatments of fasciitis include the administration of NSAID’s or corticosteroids and physical therapies including massage therapy and stretching. Necrotizing Fasciitis also known as ‘ ________________ ‘ is a rare but potentially fatal severe bacterial infection of fascia and adipose tissue caused by streptococcus pyogenes. The infection spreads quickly through the fascia destroying the tissues. The bacteria are transmitted through direct contact but can also spread through the air.
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