A graft containing a scaffold that includes a matrix in which are positioned mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) has the capacity to substantially improve wound healing, including wounds resulting from injury to nerve, bone and vascular tissue. MPCs can be harvested from debrided muscle tissue following orthopaedic trauma. The traumatized muscle-derived progenitor cells are a readily available autologous cell source that can be utilized to effect or improve wound healing in a variety of therapeutic settings and vehicles.