A Review of the Role of Mechanical Forces in Cutaneous Wound Healing

Cutaneous wound healing is a complex process with many types of mechanical forces regulating the quality and speed of healing. The role of mechanical forces in regulating tissue growth, repair and remodelling was recognised more than a century ago. Such forces influence gene expression, the synthesis of growth factors and inflammatory mediators and cellular processes like proliferation of many load-sensitive cells. However, the exact mechanisms by which these forces interact with cells and ways to use them to stimulate tissues are still active research fronts. This article sets to review the literature on mechanical forces and their role in cutaneous wound healing. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.