Which phase of ligament healing corresponds to the initial inflammatory response?

Prepare for the Tissue Injury, Healing, and Pain Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Ensure you're ready for the exam!

The initial inflammatory response is the Reaction phase. Right after ligament injury, blood vessels dilate and become more permeable, causing edema and the formation of a hematoma. Infiltration by neutrophils and macrophages begins, clearing debris and releasing inflammatory cytokines and growth factors that set the stage for healing. This early inflammatory environment is essential because it provides the signals and cells needed to start the next stage of healing, where fibroblasts migrate in and lay down collagen (the Repair phase), followed by remodeling of the new tissue to improve strength. The Remodeling phase occurs later and focuses on aligning and maturing the scar tissue, while the Repair phase is the proliferative period of scar formation, and the Reconditioning phase is a rehab-focused stage that comes after basic tissue healing.