• Magazine
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Change Mailing Address
    • Surveys
    • Guidelines for Authors
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Editorial Deadlines
    • Dynamic Chiropractic
      • Newspaper
      • Subscription
    • The American Chiropractor
      • Magazine
  • Practice
    • Business Tips
    • Chiropractic Schools
    • Clinical & Technique
    • eBooks
    • eCourses
    • Sponsored Content
    • Infographics
    • Quizzes
    • Wellness & Nutrition
    • Personal Growth
    • Podcast
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • Resource Centers
  • Products & Services
    • Buyers Guide
    • Products Directory
    • Submit a Product
    • Vendor Login
  • Datebook
    • Become an Events Poster
    • Post an Event
    • View Events
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
  • Advertise
    • Advertising Information
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us

Your Online Chiropractic Community

Chiropractic Economics Your Online Chiropractic Community
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • News
  • Webinars
  • Chiropractic Research
  • Students

What are trophic changes in musculoskeletal injury?

Anthony J. Lombardi, DC July 25, 2013

A diagram of the back showing tropic changes

Many of us have probably heard the terms “trophic changes in soft tissue” or “trophic soft tissue changes.”

But very few of us have a firm grasp on the clinical meaning and the mechanism of the concept. On a surface level, trophic changes are simply changes in soft tissue (skin, fascia, muscle), resulting from interruption of nerve supply. (Baluk 1992). This “interruption” does not have to be a discal lesion, nerve compression, or axonometis.

It can simply be from microcirculatory changes at autonomic levels (T1-T5, T10-L2), overuse of a particular muscle or group of muscles, or effects of degenerating joints, which contribute to the neurogenic inflammation that triggers trophic changes in segmental and local tissue.

What causes it?

Neurogenic inflammation is continuing inflammation in the musculoskeletal system, generated by nerve impulses and the release of inflammatory substances from the sensory axon at the site of the original injury.

These substances are typically, but not limited to: Substance P (SP), Calcitonic Gene Related Peptide (CGRP), and Neurokinin-A (NKA). Prolonged inflammation and pain can lead to protective muscle spasms, but it more commonly leads to an accumulation of fibrous tissue—which are trophic changes .

Devor stated that the fibrous tissue forms trophic changes, which become palpable taut muscle bands and trigger points; such muscle dysfunction and spasm lead to compression of blood vessels, and decreased blood flow, implicating pain stimulation, and decreased joint mobility.

For example, in musculoskeletal cases we may notice clinical patient signs like knots or tight bands in subcutaneous tissue over an injured muscle as a result of a combination of motor inhibition and changes in capillary circulation to that region.

The somatic motor system and the autonomic nervous system influence the skeletal muscular system by stimulating muscles to contract and nerves to secrete during the regulation of molecular organization of other cells, like collagen in soft tissue repair during rehabilitation of an injury.

What removes it?

These effects are referred to as trophic, or nutritional, functions of the nervous system. The key to clinical treatment is to reverse the stimuli that trigger the noxious chemical and mechanical stimuli, which trigger the neurogenic inflammatory response.

Manipulation of joints, manual muscle treatments, and interventions that directly target the nervous system such as acupuncture and electrostimulation are key allies in the minimization of trophic changes and the acceleration of soft tissue healing.

About the Author

Anthony Lombardi is a renowned speaker and is published on the topic of musculoskeletal assessment. If you have any questions for Dr. Lombardi, please visit his website www.exstore.ca or email exstore@usa.com

Related Posts

  • 4 common repetitive strain injuries foot orthotics can help4 common repetitive strain injuries foot orthotics can help
  • Chiropractic coding with confidence in today’s regulatory climateChiropractic coding with confidence in today’s regulatory climate
  • Making adjustments advances medicineMaking adjustments advances medicine
  • Standard Process named to Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companiesStandard Process named to Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies
  • Chiropractor and pregnancy: less pain, strain and fatigue on mothers-to-beChiropractor and pregnancy: less pain, strain and fatigue on mothers-to-be
  • Book Review: The 100 Year Lifestyle WorkoutBook Review: The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout

Filed Under: Chiropractic Tables, Resource Center

Current Issue

CE issue 5 cover

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube logoYouTube logoYouTube

Compare Subscriptions

Dynamic Chiropractic

The American Chiropractor

3948 3rd Street South #279,

Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Phone 904.285.6020

CONTACT US »

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Copyright © 2021, All Rights Reserved

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE

Get Chiropractic Economics magazine
delivered to your home or office. Just
fill out our form to request your FREE
subscription for 20 issues a year,
including two annual Buyers Guides.

SUBSCRIBE NOW »

Latest Chiropractic News

  • Cleveland University-Kansas City Launches New Continuing Education Website
  • New Report Cites Nutrition Response Testing® Helping Chiropractors Increase Value and Results
  • Military Husband and Wife Team Set to Expand The Joint Chiropractic into Puerto Rico