Connective tissue

Connective tissue is a type of tissue composed of fibers that absorb the forces generated by movement. It serves as supportive tissue, and virtually all tissues in the body contain some form of connective tissue.

Structures that fall under connective tissue include bones, cartilage, ligaments, the joint capsule, muscles, tendons, nerve tissue, blood vessels, skin, and scars.

Properties

Connective tissue has the ability to produce different types of cells, each tailored to the specific demands placed on the tissue. It contains various cells with distinct functions. Two important cells for the musculoskeletal system are collagen cells and elastic cells.

The more collagen cells present, the stiffer the connective tissue. Conversely, a higher proportion of elastic cells allows for more movement. Blood vessels, for example, contain many elastic cells, making them flexible and mobile. The functional differences between a muscle and a tendon are primarily due to varying proportions of collagen and elastic cells.

Connective tissue adapts to the load placed upon it. A muscle that is used frequently becomes stronger, while the opposite also holds true. Tissue breaks down daily, but new tissue is also formed immediately. This process is particularly useful during growth and training.

Function of connective tissue

During periods of reduced or no movement, the stimulus for tissue formation disappears, and breakdown predominates. This weakens the connective tissue. This can occur due to illness, injury, or reduced physical activity.

While connective tissue adapts to the load demanded, it can still be damaged by heavy or repetitive use. Damaged tissues, such as a broken bone or muscle tear, can repair themselves by forming new connective tissue cells. This new formation is crucial for injury recovery. Initially, the new cells are general connective tissue cells. Once the wound is filled, these cells adapt to the required function and load demands, influenced by movement. However, the original structure never fully recovers; it remains a repair.

Rehabilitation

The formation and adaptation of new tissue are crucial in rehabilitation. This involves applying the right load at the right time and allowing sufficient recovery. This process ensures that as many cells as possible adapt to the required load, which can take over a year.

A prime example is the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the knee. Tendon tissue is used, which adapts during rehabilitation to become a new ligament. This transformation can take one to two years.

Find a physiotherapist who can assist you with your rehabilitation.