Phases of Tissue Healing for Weeks 2-4 describe what process?

• A. Cellular stage; inflammation predominates.
• B. Contraction of tissue and scar remodeling.
• C. Increase in collagen production; high collagen synthesis/remodeling; possible adhesion formation.
• D. Maturation of collagen with maximum tissue strength.

Answer: (C)

Weeks 2–4 of tissue healing are dominated by the proliferative phase, when fibroblasts surge into the wound and lay down extracellular collagen. This period features a marked increase in collagen production and active remodeling of the matrix, with collagen transitioning from initially laid-down type III toward stronger type I. Granulation tissue forms, filling the wound, and myofibroblasts drive wound contraction. Because of the high collagen synthesis and ongoing remodeling, adhesions can develop if surfaces are in contact. Note that maximum tensile strength is not yet reached during this window; that peak strength occurs later in the remodeling phase as collagen is further reorganized. Early inflammatory activity has largely subsided by this time, which is why the other descriptions don’t fit as well for weeks 2–4.