Which phase follows the inflammatory phase in rehabilitation?

• A. Inflammatory
• B. Repair
• C. Maturation/remodeling
• D. Healing

Answer: (B)

Understanding the sequence of tissue healing after injury is key. After the initial inflammatory response, the body enters the repair phase. In this phase, tissue formation takes center stage: fibroblasts produce collagen and other extracellular matrix components, granulation tissue forms, and new blood vessels grow to supply the developing scar. The goal is to bridge the damaged area with a scaffold that can restore basic structural integrity and function.

During repair, rehabilitation focuses on protecting the healing tissue while introducing controlled loading. This helps align collagen fibers in the direction of mechanical stress and gradually restore range of motion and strength without overloading the new tissue. The repair phase is typically followed later by maturation/remodeling, where the collagen structure is reorganized to increase tensile strength over time. While healing is a broad term encompassing all stages, the specific phase that comes after the inflammatory response is the repair phase.