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. 2015 Nov;10(6):748–759.

Table 1.

General Cellular Events Associated with a Muscle and/or Tendon Injury72

Time Frame After Injury Cellular Events
First 48 hours
  • Initial vasoconstriction and coagulation upon rupture of blood and lymphatic vessels

  • Immediate swelling at injury site caused by cellular components (e.g., exudate) leaking from the blood and lymphatic vessels leaking into wound area

  • Clot formation

  • Hallmark signs associated with an acute injury: redness, warmth, pain, and swelling

  • Chemical mediators attracted to the site to control the inflammatory process

  • Vasodilation occurs shortly thereafter the initial injury Phagocytosis (removal injured/dead cellular material)

Day 2 to 4
  • Reduction in inflammation

  • Reabsorption of clot

  • Increase in granulation tissue (fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and capillaries)

  • Angiogenesis

Day 4 to 21
  • Scar formation

  • Production of collagen, elastin, and ground substance

  • Growth of scar ceases at the end of the phase

Day 21 to 60
  • Scar remodeling

  • Collagen thickens and strengthens