Which phase of soft tissue healing is associated with collagen realignment and scar maturation, leading to improved tensile strength?

• A. Inflammatory phase
• B. Proliferative phase
• C. Remodeling phase
• D. Hemostatic phase

Answer: (C)

Collagen realignment and scar maturation occur during the remodeling phase. In this stage, the newly formed collagen is reorganized to line up with the directions the tissue is stressed, and the matrix matures by replacing the initial, weaker collagen with stronger, cross-linked collagen. This process steadily increases the tissue’s tensile strength over time, even though the final strength may still be less than it was before injury. Earlier phases set the stage: inflammation handles cleanup and initial fibroplasia, while the proliferative phase focuses on laying down new tissue and forming granulation tissue.