Dealing with Scar Tissue

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Dealing with Scar Tissue



Scarring is an inevitable consequence of injury. Not every horse will heal with fine or insignificant scars. The extent and type of scarring is dependent on the extent of the wound, the anatomical location of the wound, and the presence or absence of complicating factors (with the wound itself or surrounding structures). In addition, the duration of the inflammatory response (including the time between injury and the first proper examination) and the individual characteristics of healing of the horse (size, breed, and health status) will affect scarring.


Because reduction of a scar is extremely difficult it is important to minimize the extent of scarring by good wound management in the first instance. Normal scarring restores up to 80% of the original tensile strength and is always recognizable histologically. Scars usually contract with time. Inappropriate or extensive scarring is more common when second intention healing takes place and on limb wounds of larger horses.



Consequences of Scarring


Scarring resulting from tissue loss can result in functional deficits. For instance, damage to vital structures, such as the cornea, brain, or major motor nerves can significantly impair normal function. Functional loss can also occur from involvement of vital structures in the scar; fortunately equine scarring is not accompanied by serious contraction and so presents fewer functional problems than in some other species such as the human. However, scar contraction/cicatrization in delicate skin structures such as the eyelids can be functionally catastrophic or functionally limiting (such as in the mouth or nostril).


Deformity or hair loss and (often) changes in color of the skin and hair are sometimes unacceptable to the owner, e.g. in a show horse, but are unavoidable. Careful attention to detail during healing may limit the cosmetic effects.

Related posts:

  1. Definition of Wounds/Wound Types
  2. Factors that Delay Healing
  3. The Pathophysiology of Wound Healing
  4. Basic Wound Management

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Jul 8, 2016 | Posted by in EQUINE MEDICINE | Comments Off on Dealing with Scar Tissue

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